Gas unexpectedly ran out!

[40oz]

thanks guys/gals for giving me good tips but however, I just wanted to know if the problem that I came upon happened to anyone else.

I mean yea sure its good to check the odometer and use the TRIP meters to see how far you went. The numbers don't lie thats for sure. BUT... that doesn't mean its okay for the gas to run out at 2 solid bars.

I just checked this forum to see if anyone else had this problem and wanted to know what they did with it, if they had this problem. IT looks like no one had this problem so I'm going to wait it out and see if it happens again.

If it does happen again I'm going to the dealership if not then I won't.

edit.

For those curious whose yaris this is, its my moms. Last year I was looking to buy a yaris myself because i was getting bad mpg from my 240sx along with other small problems. My moms 96 caddilac had worse mpg and started to have transmission problems and other problems here and there; burns engine oil fast,tranny problems, powersteering... So I helped her buy a yaris.

For who drives it, its her car she drives it most of the time but I get my share driving the car as well. She doesn't drive it after 4pm so I take it out when needed.

So far the yaris rocks. Great gas, quiet, and very well mannered on the road. The ride quality almost feels luxury compared to my 90 240sx. Very great commuter car.

[why?]

Originally Posted by teddy

You folks suggesting that she keep an eye in the instrument panel are skipping over my post still. Between fill ups with our driving can vary quite a bit - anywhere from 400-600km a tank.

What good does keeping an eye on the odometer do if you expect to get 600km to a tank but it ends up being only 400?

um, how about never allowing the car to go over 400km on a tank? Just to be safe.

There is plenty of evidence on these forums that the Yaris gas guage is anything but accurate or consistent. Relying on it is just asking for trouble.

[carnageehw]

Originally Posted by why?

um, how about never allowing the car to go over 400km on a tank? Just to be safe.

There is plenty of evidence on these forums that the Yaris gas guage is anything but accurate or consistent. Relying on it is just asking for trouble.

This is ridiculous. The gas gauge is there for a reason, and should not malfunction. You should not, under any circumstances need to rely on the odometer. It's a sign of a huge problem is you are.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by carnageehw

This is ridiculous. The gas gauge is there for a reason, and should not malfunction. You should not, under any circumstances need to rely on the odometer. It's a sign of a huge problem is you are.

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. You of course can do as you please but it would be best to remain in front of the TV.

[sickpuppy1]

Yeah, but what he said kinda bugged me a bit. Well, not what he said, but what happened,lol. If it hit two bars and ran out of gas later without blinking, that sucks. I mean if my old style gauge says I got a quarter tank and I run out, I'm pissed! You get the idea. And "if it happens again" ......well that means running out of gas again......Not the end of the world, granted. But Murphys law says she'll be in the middle lane in stop and go traffic,lol I think I'd fuel it shortly after it hits 2 bars and see how much it takes, try to get some feel for what its telling you. Is this still under mfg warranty period?

And why is right, instead of pressing the luck too far,juel it abit early. I've always heard you are more prone to condensation in the tank when it gets too low anyways.

[mikethecynic]

The exact same thing happened to me. I was driving down the road in my 2008 manual Transmission Yaris when the engine just stopped. no warning lites or anything. It had two bars on the fuel gauge, when a friend of mine brought me some gas. I didn't believe I ran out of gas until I got to the gas station and it took ten and a half gallons to fill it. Next I'm going to fill it up right when it gets to two bars to see if it's empty or not. Very perplexing!

[nick.dollimount]

I had this happen to me last night. 2 bars left on my gas gauge and ran out of gas on the highway. I have always been able to drive at least a half hour on the blinking bar. I've never ran out of gas with this car. I was very surprised it happened on 2 bars.

My friend, however, works with a woman who's daughter also owns a Yaris and had this same thing happen to her.

My suspicion would be the fuel level sending unit (floater part) was either froze or seized up. Someone mentioned condensation getting into the fuel tank if you let it go low often, which I do. This could be how it froze. Just a theory.

I also think it's ridiculous to expect people to watch their odometer because they can't rely on their gas gauge. Why is it even in the car if you can't rely on it?

So to the original poster, no, she's not the only one to have this happen.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by nick.dollimount

I had this happen to me last night. 2 bars left on my gas gauge and ran out of gas on the highway. I have always been able to drive at least a half hour on the blinking bar. I've never ran out of gas with this car. I was very surprised it happened on 2 bars.

My friend, however, works with a woman who's daughter also owns a Yaris and had this same thing happen to her.

My suspicion would be the fuel level sending unit (floater part) was either froze or seized up. Someone mentioned condensation getting into the fuel tank if you let it go low often, which I do. This could be how it froze. Just a theory.

I also think it's ridiculous to expect people to watch their odometer because they can't rely on their gas gauge. Why is it even in the car if you can't rely on it?

So to the original poster, no, she's not the only one to have this happen.

I fill my tank when it registers half full. Its INSANE to wait for two bars. As you guys are finding out, technology aint all its cracked up to be. The younger generation is besotted with electrical devices and thinks life is just too cool to worry their lazy butts. CYA people! Have you ever heard that expression?! There is another reason to fill up early. Driving around with a nearly empty tank encourages water condensation in there. Frozen gas lines and FI problems are the likely results.

[slow.yaris]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I fill my tank when it registers half full. Its INSANE to wait for two bars. As you guys are finding out, technology aint all its cracked up to be. The younger generation is besotted with electrical devices and thinks life is just too cool to worry their lazy butts. CYA people! Have you ever heard that expression?! There is another reason to fill up early. Driving around with a nearly empty tank encourages water condensation in there. Frozen gas lines and FI problems are the likely results.

Filling up at 2 bars vs 4 bars will have no negative consequences. Driving around on flashing bars for miles probably isn't smart, but you're being a little overcautious.

[40oz]

sorry for late update but I thought I'd update anyways for the folks outside of warranty. To be honest I just got back from the dealer today for this problem.

For my case it happened that the fuel sender unit/ fuel sender gauge assembly to be the culprit.

The fuel sender unit is connected to the fuel pump and I was told you gotta remove the rear seat to get to it.


Other fuel gauge malfunction symptoms can be because of the harness or connectors. So if your symptoms are different its gonna need a proper diagnosis.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by slow.yaris

Filling up at 2 bars vs 4 bars will have no negative consequences. Driving around on flashing bars for miles probably isn't smart, but you're being a little overcautious.

I have a pilots lisence. And ride motorcycles. You always have to think "What could happen?" And "What am I going to do about it?" Like if you drive around with an empty gas tank, what if you have to go someplace in the middle of the night and the stations arent open? What if they dont have gas?Also, an empty gas tank is prone to condensation of water on the inside. So it will rust, get a hole in it, and in general crap up your expensive fuel system. So I fill mine up when its half full. Thats about every two weeks or more for me so its not a big deal.

I always think the worst. You live longer that way.

[gollygirl1]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I always think the worst. You live longer that way.

Me too, glad i am not the only one !!

[echaru]

Sounds like this is the way Toyota try to make you think Yaris uses less gas, by throwing off the guage.

[40oz]

thanks guys for letting me know. I thought I was the only one. When I get some time I'm going to let the dealership know and see what they say. Infact this happened to me again.

The second time I didn't run out of gas but I borrowed the yaris and it was already at 2 bars ( of course it would be, right before my mom lets me drive the yaris). So I be nice and fill the full tank for her. I look at the meter and it says I just filled up 11.323 gallons and still having 2 bars.

I guess it wasn't just a one time thing. I'm going to dealership next weekend when I have more free time. Meanwhile I'll tell my mom, who drives the yaris dd, to fill the tank at 3 bars.

[Tom48]

When your car is in Warranty. Take it to the dealer and get it fixed. That's part of the big price drop for driving it off the lot New.

[bizzlebaby]

i've never had mine run out of gas on 2 bars but funny thing is it has gone to blinking and then back to 2 solid bars before i had a chance to get gas. has this ever happened to anyone?

[Midnight Drifter]

Originally Posted by bizzlebaby

i've never had mine run out of gas on 2 bars but funny thing is it has gone to blinking and then back to 2 solid bars before i had a chance to get gas. has this ever happened to anyone?

Were you doing a lot of cornering during that time?

[carnageehw]

Originally Posted by bizzlebaby

i've never had mine run out of gas on 2 bars but funny thing is it has gone to blinking and then back to 2 solid bars before i had a chance to get gas. has this ever happened to anyone?

Yes it has. But it doesn't stay that way for long.