2006 V8 Low Fuel Indicator
I just came across this site today, and I am very impressed. I just bought my first Explorer (2006 V8 Ltd).
The low fuel indicator came on for the first time the other day after about 350 km (210 miles). When I went to fill up the car, I could only fill up 60 L (@16 Gal). The tank is 85 L (22.5 Gal). That means that the fuel indicator comes on with 1/3 of a tank remaining. This seems awfully early to me. Does anyone know if this is normal, or is there a fix?
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cwescapexlt4x4
Explorin’ the Desert SW
Joined May 3, 2005 Messages 1,468 Reaction score 92 City, State Litchfield Park, AZ area. Year, Model & Trim Level 2021 King Ranch 4wd 3.0T
I just came across this site today, and I am very impressed. I just bought my first Explorer (2006 V8 Ltd).
The low fuel indicator came on for the first time the other day after about 350 km (210 miles). When I went to fill up the car, I could only fill up 60 L (@16 Gal). The tank is 85 L (22.5 Gal). That means that the fuel indicator comes on with 1/3 of a tank remaining. This seems awfully early to me. Does anyone know if this is normal, or is there a fix?
Mine comes on about 3-4 gallons prior, but talk about annoying (in a good stupid american sorta way) of the repeating reminders (chimes) about every few miles or so.
lonestar
Explorer Addict
Joined August 29, 2001 Messages 1,536 Reaction score 0 City, State lou,ky Year, Model & Trim Level 91 XLT, 02 XLS
Our 02 dosn’t come on until needle is almost on E.
Might be a faulty sensor in tank.
blichy
Well-Known Member
Joined September 5, 2002 Messages 509 Reaction score 1 City, State Naperville, IL Year, Model & Trim Level ’13 Explorer Sport
Mine comes on about 3-4 gallons prior, but talk about annoying (in a good stupid american sorta way) of the repeating reminders (chimes) about every few miles or so.
With my 03, the warning comes on with 50 miles to empty. The reminder warnings are then every 10 minutes (very annoying sitting in traffic).
Garth
Explorer Addict
Joined January 5, 2003 Messages 1,095 Reaction score 1 City, State Mt Vernon NY Year, Model & Trim Level 98 Eddie Bauer
Bigkondor
Member
Joined January 9, 2006 Messages 27 Reaction score 0 City, State Colorado Year, Model & Trim Level 06 XLT
emcee
New Member
Joined April 25, 2006 Messages 2 Reaction score 0 City, State Montreal, Quebec Year, Model & Trim Level 2006 Limited V8
I thought so too, but when I called the dealer, they said that it was normal, and could not be re calibrated. Although I am not sure I believe him. It is annoying that it over takes the dashboard every few minutes.
CHiNO_PeLoNCiTo
Member
Joined March 4, 2008 Messages 33 Reaction score 0 City, State Wichita, KS Year, Model & Trim Level 2006 Eddie Bauer V8
it depends on how you drive and ur mpg. the low fuel light comes on when the computer calculates you have 50 miles till empty, this is calculated by ur mpg driving habits and so on. but that is why if varys. if you have a heavy foot like me it comes on when i get to about the 1/4 line. other times when we go to texas or cali on the highway it comes on about midway between the 1/4 and the E line because when your on the highway you get better gas mileage and so it comes on a lil later than the norm start and stop traffic
cwescapexlt4x4
Explorin’ the Desert SW
Joined May 3, 2005 Messages 1,468 Reaction score 92 City, State Litchfield Park, AZ area. Year, Model & Trim Level 2021 King Ranch 4wd 3.0T
Essex4x4
Explorer Addict
Joined January 28, 2008 Messages 1,512 Reaction score 1 City, State Johnston Iowa Year, Model & Trim Level 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
my 06 light comes on with about 50 miles or so left on the tank, which is usually about 2-2.5 gallons
shadowless127
Explorer Addict
Joined December 13, 2007 Messages 2,714 Reaction score 12 City, State Long Island, NY Year, Model & Trim Level ’01 EB AWD 5.0
are u talking about the message in the message center or the Light on the instrument cluster?
I know in second and third gens the message center warning comes on with about 50miles or so left, and the light on the dashboard comes on with less then 1/8 of a tank
ZZ
New Member
Joined February 22, 2008 Messages 7 Reaction score 0 City, State Edmonds WA Year, Model & Trim Level 2006 XLT V8
Mine comes on at about 1/8th of a tank. Let me say as a former Ford Certified Tech, Ford fuel gauge systems are not the most accurate and at the very least very inconsistent between Ford models. I have seen some that would run out of gas before the needle went below empty and others were the needle wouldn’t go over the full mark with a full tank.
Here is my best practice:
I have always made it a habit to take the time to «get to know» your fuel gauge on each car. After verifying the full capacity of the tank (let’s say 20 gals.) I would monitor several tanks to see where the fuel gauge was before an 18 gal fill up. This practice let’s me verify where the gauge reads as it relates to the actual fuel left.
After 31 years as a licensed driver, I have NEVER run out of gas. I wish I could say the same for my wife!
Miles to «low fuel» light?
I top off tank so no more fuel will go in. I then go 140 miles and my low fuel light comes on. I checked and my tank is suppose to be 22 gal. 140 miles is only 10 gals. I should have 12 in tank still but light coming on. I have records that fuel pump was just done. But gauge reads full at correct time and gauge shows below 1/4 tank when low light comes on. When does your low fuel light come on?
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NickSantagataa
Well-Known Member
Joined January 11, 2015 Messages 236 Reaction score 1 City, State Mount dora , Florida Year, Model & Trim Level 2008 explorer xlt 4×4
It goes on at 50,40,30,20,10,0 but then you still have some in reverses which is the 2 gallons you’re talking about out of the 22 gallons just do every 230 miles get gas , I get like 350 till e with a full tank. You could have a leak?
2010Explorer
Member
It goes on at 50,40,30,20,10,0 but then you still have some in reverses which is the 2 gallons you’re talking about out of the 22 gallons just do every 230 miles get gas , I get like 350 till e with a full tank. You could have a leak?
Flag Gibby
Explorer Addict
Joined October 14, 2012 Messages 1,641 Reaction score 5 City, State Flagstaff, AZ Year, Model & Trim Level 2006 Mountaineer AWD
I have only seen the low fuel light come on when the computer estimates only 50 miles left on the tank until empty. Never seen it come on based on gauge level. Like Nick mentioned, it sounds like you may have a leak in a fuel line from when the fuel pump got replaced. It is possible that the reason the fuel pump was replaced was because of a cut in the line causing low fuel pressures and not a faulty fuel pump. If you smell fuel under the passenger side of the vehicle when it is idling then you have a serious leak on one of your fuel lines.
2010Explorer
Member
Come on , stop talking about fuel leaks and fuel pressure. Those are not even remotely linked to this. I just want a simple answer. Which would be. Answer My low fuel light comes on when I have x.. amount of fuel in my tank.
BrianDye
I’ll have another.
Joined March 1, 2009 Messages 6,182 Reaction score 16 City, State Monroe, MI Year, Model & Trim Level 2006 XLT
Our fuel light comes on when the computer detects 50 miles til empty, as the other 2 posters have said. On mine it’s always appx 1/8th of a tank according to the gauge. Don’t know what else you want us to say from your post. You have some issues in your Explorer if you’re only driving 140 miles til your light comes on.
Flag Gibby
Explorer Addict
Joined October 14, 2012 Messages 1,641 Reaction score 5 City, State Flagstaff, AZ Year, Model & Trim Level 2006 Mountaineer AWD
Come on , stop talking about fuel leaks and fuel pressure. Those are not even remotely linked to this. I just want a simple answer. Which would be. Answer My low fuel light comes on when I have x.. amount of fuel in my tank.
You are the one that mentioned that the fuel pump was recently replaced in your original message and implying that you are going through gas a lot faster than you should. So the big question is how much gas can you put in it when the system says that it is almost empty because your original statement is not very clear.
Just to reiterate, three of us have now said that the message center simply lights up and indicates that the fuel is getting low starting at 50 miles to empty based on the computers calculations. In other words it is not going to be a consistent amount left in the tank, but if the light has come on then it should take in the vicinity of 20 gallons. Maybe this last statement is what you were after all along.
2010Explorer
Member
My post never states i’m going thru gas faster then normal. What I’s saying is my low fuel light is coming on WITH 10 gals still in tank. I fill tank to top where it can’t take any more gas. Zero trip meter. Drive 140 miles and low fuel light comes on. Truck says it’s getting 14mpg on dash. I think the new pump they messed up level sensor. They did pump before I bought truck with a non Ford unit.
2010Explorer
Member
Just did test again. Drove it till dash said Zero miles to empty and then filled tank. Took 16 gals. So 6 gals still in tank. Thats’s another 84 miles. Just wondering if Ford is leaving that much of a buffer.
Flag Gibby
Explorer Addict
Joined October 14, 2012 Messages 1,641 Reaction score 5 City, State Flagstaff, AZ Year, Model & Trim Level 2006 Mountaineer AWD
No it is typically around 2-3 gallons to empty when the low fuel indicator comes on. What kind of fuel economy does the computer suggest that you are getting?
2010Explorer
Member
No it is typically around 2-3 gallons to empty when the low fuel indicator comes on. What kind of fuel economy does the computer suggest that you are getting?
Flag Gibby
Explorer Addict
Joined October 14, 2012 Messages 1,641 Reaction score 5 City, State Flagstaff, AZ Year, Model & Trim Level 2006 Mountaineer AWD
It sounds like the sending unit float got messed up/bent when the fuel pump got replaced. The sending unit is a part of the fuel pump assembly. You will have to drop the tank to take a look at it and replace if necessary or maybe it can be bent back into the correct position.
Cartyboy1
New Member
Joined January 21, 2012 Messages 5 Reaction score 0 City, State Texas Year, Model & Trim Level 06 Explorer, 08 Expeditio
My daughter’s 2006 explorer does the same thing. We fill it up, it may go 90 miles or 180 or somewhere in between. The digital «Miles to empty» starts at about 350 full and gradually decreases then just starts dropping quickly; then when the gauge goes below 1/8 tank., low fuel light comes on and there is still plenty of gas in the tank. Turn ignition off or go continuous. no matter. Battery cable off does not reset.
I’m not sure if the pump was replaced before we purchased this vehicle In June of this year. I dropped the fuel tank, checked the resistance on the sender. all good.
So yes, I agree with explorer 2010 that «low fuel light» and «miles to empty» are based on gauge reading rather than actual level of fuel in tank. I have read and read and am just now looking back into it so I can check it out over the holidays when she is here. The issue must be with the gauge and not the sending unit in the tank. I have also seen other threads about anti-slosh module but I’m not sure.
Is there a Ford technician that has seen this same issue?