Hello all,
I just bought an 08 3i sedan, automatic.
I was curious does anyone know how many miles we have left when the low fuel light comes on?
I looked in the manual but it just says get fuel as soon as possible.
Thanks
Kevin

 

You're better off filling the tank up as soon as the light comes on and subtracting what you put infrom the total tank capacity.....this gives you how much gas was in the tank when the light went turned on. (roughly), then figure out your average fuel economy and you'll have an estimated range after the light turns on. (I'd guess with the 2.0L you'll average 28 or so)

I want to say the 3 has a 12.5 gallon tank. (not sure though) It should be in your owner's manual.

 

The tank in the 3 is 14.5 gallons. My light pretty much always comes on when I have 3 gallons left. Assuming I'm doing all highway I get around 30 mpg so maybe 90 miles. I usually don't go more than another 50 miles or so before filling it up, since I have a 20 mile drive to work.

Like sstlaure said though wait until it comes on and then fill up just to be sure how much is left in your tank.

 

thanks!

i just got to the gas station at lunch. It took 12.3 gallons, so close to 3 gallons seems about right.

thanks again.

 

It's not a good idea to make a habit of running it low.
The electric fuel pump is mounted inside the tank and depends upon the fuel in the tank to cool it. Like running your engine w/an empty cooling sytem, it will overheat and destroy itself eventually.

 

unlock your trip computer, that'll tell you how many miles you could go when light comes on. but be conservative on the number it tells you. you could search the forum for the procedure (sorry I don't remember exactly what it was......anyone else?)
________
Paxil Side Effect

 

Yeah, I don't plan on making it a habit but it's nice to know...for those unforeseen moments.

thanks everyone.

This is my first Mazda and I hope I have it for along time. I used to drive a BIG dodge 4x4 truck 12miles to the gallon...OUCH.
So the Mazda is big change for me.
I test drove the Cobalt, Focus, and Civic and liked the Mazda the best.
have a good day
Kevin

 

It will show that you have a lot less miles to go than what is actually in the tank. A couple of weeks ago my light came on and it showed that that I could go 28 more miles, and when I filled up, in reality I had approximately 2.5 gallons still in the tank. But like virgin1 says its not a good idea to run it so low all of the time because of the fuel pump.

 

Hold the "FM/AM" and "CD" buttons while starting the car. Continue to hold until it displays "DIS ON"