Low Fuel Warning not consistent

[Pamcakes]

I have a 2017 Expedition EL. The low fuel warning light comes on at inconsistent times, anywhere from 25 to 37 miles on Distance to Empty. My previous car was a Ford Edge and it always came on at 50 miles distance to empty. My friend has had a few Expeditions and just got a 2018 and her indicator always came on at 50 miles. Anyway else experience this problem? What did you do about it? I contacted the dealership and they just suggested that I go through the manual and look for a setting to change. I have already done that and there wasn't any setting that I ever found.

 

[JExpedition07]

My 07’ also comes on at 50 miles to E every time. However it continually reminds me again at different intervals randomly. Maybe you just miss the first warning? I don’t always catch it, esp if I have the radio up and am not looking at the message center.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

The fuel light illuminates when the sending unit reaches X ohms of resistance, so (provided you're not missing the first warning) it's either designed to trigger at 25 miles or you may have a faulty sending unit. Honestly, you shouldn't be letting it get that low anyway as it can cause excessive wear on the fuel pump, so I would focus on paying more attention to when it gets close to 1/4 tank than looking for the light.

 

[mquick5]

If you want it to warn you earlier just enable the MyKey option and use it.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[powerboatr]

mine comes on anywhere from 50 to 40 miles till empty.
i think the computer recomputes or something base don actual MPG at the time.
I say this because a few times i have left the house on flat ground...with 60 or so left... by the time i get out of the neighborhood,( over 5 miles of 20 mph) it will often come on, then by the time i have driven 5 or 5 at 65 it goes off and says more than 50.
i have driven to less than 4 till empty and still only put in 30 gallons

 

[Pamcakes]

I failed to mention that I've had the car since January 2018 so this has been happening for a year. In the beginning, I just hoped that it would get better as time went on and it was driven more. I will look into the mykey option and see where that takes me!

 

[Black]

Always interesting to see folks habits.
Never seen one of these warning lights before. Always a good idea to have extra fuel at the house I rarely get to a 1/4 of a tank. Especially in the winter I keep it as full as possible.

 

[JExpedition07]

I run it right down, then fill all the way back up to full. Reserve is 5+ gallons (at 0 miles to E). Plenty of fuel to heat sync the fuel pump at 25-50 miles range. Running it all through keeps everything fresh.

 

[1955moose]

I don't know about the keeping fresh bit. If your driving it on a regular basis, the new fuel mixes with the older 2 week or so old fuel, so that's not even an issue. Pam, don't know if it's a financial issue on your end why you choose to run it down so low. Or maybe you like the danger part of not knowing how far it will go. Even though your SUV is new, sand, and gunk settles to the bottom of tank. I'll get an argument on this statement, like I did about 2 years back, but I still believe it's not good for anyone to run a fuel tank that low. You stand a bigger chance of sucking up the bottom of tank debris if your pump is drawing in fuel that's low. I used to think excessive heat on the fuel pump was also happening, but others swear it doesn't. You've obviously been doing this run the tank to almost empty for quite a while now, and I won't be one to lecture, theirs at least 10 others here chomping at the bit!

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[ManUpOrShutUp]

Pam, don't know if it's a financial issue on your end why you choose to run it down so low. Or maybe you like the danger part of not knowing how far it will go.

 

[1955moose]

While I was typing my post, I was thinking about Kramer, and that episode. Funny you found it.

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[Adieu]

'09 5.4 SSV - comes on at 50mi
'12 5.4 Gator L - comes on at 50mi

Are you the first owner? Could some ForScan brogrammer have tuned it out?

Also, are you running with any faults or suspiciously low mpg?

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

While I was typing my post, I was thinking about Kramer, and that episode. Funny you found it.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

I thought of it as soon as I saw your post. I used to watch that show religiously.

 

[Pamcakes]

I usually just don't notice that I need to refuel until the light goes on.

I am the first owner.

No faults or suspicious mpg.

 

[chuck s]

Before I forget thanks for the video. Good start for my morning!

My '07 low fuel light always came on at "50 miles to empty" on the compute. Every time. Hit reset and it would go out for 5-ish miles and then back on. Truck took 23 gallons of fuel at that point. On a daily driver there was always fresh fuel in the system, even in winter, and I saw the warning from time to time.

On my '17 the low fuel light comes on at maybe 25 miles and not consistently. I rarely run it that low though.

I normally use the left display on my Type 3 dashboard to show digital speed or miles to empty when towing. The tachometer is jewelry.

-- Chuck