[Fray Adjacent]

The fuel tank size as stated by a manufacturer usually does not include the reserve. Often times you'll see the capacity listed as XX.X gallons with x.x reserve) So when your fuel light comes on, your tank is not 'empty' and running on that reserve. The light is to warn the driver that you're close to empty and should refuel soon.

I'll have to check my owner's manual, but I'm pretty sure that's the way it is in just about every vehicle I've ever owned.

IIRC, I've also heard that the fuel light (in most cars) is designed to come on when you have about 50 miles range left... before the reserve is invaded.

To really tell, one of us would have to drive until the engine quits and then measure the amount of gas goes in until the pump stops the first time... but neither of us will risk damaging anything, so that test won't get done!



Bottom line is, unless your fuel light is coming on at a different capacity than mine, you're overfilling. It IS quite possible that your light comes on at 9.1 gallons, whereas mine comes on at 8.7.