First of all let me preface this by saying I do not determine or present this as a problem...just a condition of my Honda Fit. Also...please anyone...do not do what I am doing...just because I say I can do it....I would not want to hear that someone was stranded, injured, or otherwise because they read my thread and decided they could do this....

But...In my opinion, my low fuel warning light comes on way too early. I don't know if it is subtly different from Honda Fit to Honda Fit...

But mine comes on with at least a quarter of an inch until the needle reaches Empty. I have never ran out of gas...but I have kept driving and I can at least go another 40 miles to 50 miles.

In my opinion my "warning" is way too pre-emptive....

It's not really a problem...because filling up is filling up. If I fill up when I first notice...then I pay less because I'm filling less.....

So no harm, no foul, no problem...but I kind of feel like the calibration of when Honda decided to have the light illuminate is far too conservative.

Just wondering if my fuel light is different or just out of adjustment. Or is this the way it is with all Honda Fits?
I've had other vehicles with warning lights...but none that seemed to illuminate this early....

 

Typical to the GE's at least. I don't mind it, keeps me from 'running on fumes'. Similar to the 15% oil life warning. Gives you plenty of heads up time to get it changed. I like the FIT's personality.

 

I agree completely. 50 ish miles and could probably go further. My Light would come on @ 320-350 miles depending on how I drove that time period and last at least 50 more miles. I ignore it just like my TPMS light. Before I changed jobs I got gas every other day who needs a light(100 mi round trip/day). Now that I work less than 3 miles from the house I get gas every weekend. Costs a lot less too!

 

I would be very comfortable with a 50 mile low fuel warning... because I have often driven through areas where the fill-up stations are few and far between.

 

Oh I definitely can appreciate the light on road trips. I drove from Houston to Orlando and back. The 50 mile warning was nice. I just agree with the 50+ not that its a problem.

 

For those of you that like the idiot gauge coming on early...you might notice a gauge that is marked F through E near it. If you get close to E, it means your fuel tank is getting empty...

The light is annoying and comes on too early!

 

It's that way because of the people who only fill up when the light comes on. Honda doesn't want its cars to be known for fuel pump issues because of the people who let their tank get too low.

 

Thanks everyone. Just good to know my Fit's calibration isn't out of the norm.

Every vehicle I've owned has had a warning light...but The Fits, is the most conservative, early warning one of the bunch...

 

Same in my Europe model ...

 

mine comes on like clockwork at around 285 miles

 

From page 62 of the 2009 Honda Fit owner's manual:

I average 36 mpg overall, therefore, when the light comes on, I assume that I can drive approx. 60 miles before empty.

 

Sometimes it may be a good habit to top up the tank when the gauge shows a quarter tank remaining if the gas station is along your route.

There was one time I waited until the warning light came on and got stuck in a horrific highway traffic jam without the ability to exit.... very stressful indeed because there was no indication if my remaining fuel can out last the idling in the traffic jam and no one knows when the jam will clear.

 

thats strange, my low fuel indicator comes on at about 1/8. i have driven past the E bar before and the fit kept going. i think i went about a good ~65mi after the low fuel light came on to go past E.

i wouldnt encourage others to drive past their E but, just saying ive done so without serious repercussions.

 

My ultra gauge tells me that the low fuel lightcomes on at 20% fuel level and that the empty mark is actually 15% fuel level. Frankly, it's better you dont know that.

 

Lyon - What don't you like about the Ultra Gauge? Does it give data on fuel trim and O2? Looks like a sweet deal.

 

I really like it. It has ltft and stft and 02 voltage (not as afr but thats what my UEGO is for). refresh rate is a tad slow (about the same a SG2) but it has 7 GAUGES at once! 6 definable gauges and 1 constant open/closed loop gauge. On the fit there are 50 gauges available.

UltraGauge Automotive Information Center and OBDII Scan Tool

Its so much nicer looking than that ugly overpriced SQ2


thats another car, the fit does support the fuel sender and has 50 gauges. Also the ultragauge has configurable alarms. For example I can set an audible alarm for if my coolant temp goes above 210. Or if I were some sort of hypermiler freak I could set an alarm for when the rpms go over 3k. etc. etc. Only bad part is that the trouble code reader is a bit buggy and I have to try and try ebfore it gives me my trouble codes.

 

Thanks - I'm going to move on one.

Congrats on your accomplishments!!
K_C_

 

First of all, The light is yellow/amber which means its a caution light not a warning. ( I know, the book says it's low fuel warning) If it was an immediate action item it would be red. So whenever it comes on, its just meant to draw your attention to the fact that you're getting low on fuel with no "immediate action" required.

 

the key part is i think you are all frugal drivers getting good MPG.

If you have hills in your commute, added to an area with less frequent stations, those last 1.64gallons won't last you nearly as long.

 

Where is the fuel pump? if it is in the tank, not a good idea to drive until empty, in tank fuel pumps use fuel to cool pump.