Distance to empty
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7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 7
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From: fl
Distance to empty
2026 350h I have aprox 4gallons left in my 14 gallon tank after I fill and distance to empty message is 20 miles. Can I manually change anything to increase message to reflect accurately my remaining mileage?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,661
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From: Florida
No. The Toyota hybrid range estimations are EXTREMELY over-the-top conservative. It's how it across all Toyota hybrid models.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
First, the sensor-system is set up that way for a reason.....to help make sure you don't run out of gas, especially in an area where there are few stations. Second, in today's vehicles, with the way the fuel-pump and tank-ports are designed, you should not let gas level to drop below, say about a quarter full in the tank. That is because, first, the fuel pump, in the tank, is cooled and lubricated by the liquid gas itself, and, second, because a very low fuel level in the tank allows air in the tank to be drawn into the fuel lines from the ports when the low fuel-level sloshes around, especially in a sharp turn or sudden stop. That could make the engine momentarily stop running.
Nope.....keep your tank at least a quarter-to-half full, and you won't have to worry about it.
Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 4, 2025 at 09:02 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,070
Likes: 107
From: Southeastern PA
Why would you want to?
First, the sensor-system is set up that way for a reason.....to help make sure you don't run out of gas, especially in an area where there are few stations. Second, in today's vehicles, with the way the fuel-pump and tank-ports are designed, you should not let gas level to drop below, say about a quarter full in the tank. That is because, first, the fuel pump, in the tank, is cooled and lubricated by the liquid gas itself, and, second, because a very low fuel level in the tank allows air in the tank to be drawn into the fuel lines from the ports when the low fuel-level sloshes around, especially in a sharp turn or sudden stop. That could make the engine momentarily stop running.
Nope.....keep your tank at least a quarter-to-half full, and you won't have to worry about it.
First, the sensor-system is set up that way for a reason.....to help make sure you don't run out of gas, especially in an area where there are few stations. Second, in today's vehicles, with the way the fuel-pump and tank-ports are designed, you should not let gas level to drop below, say about a quarter full in the tank. That is because, first, the fuel pump, in the tank, is cooled and lubricated by the liquid gas itself, and, second, because a very low fuel level in the tank allows air in the tank to be drawn into the fuel lines from the ports when the low fuel-level sloshes around, especially in a sharp turn or sudden stop. That could make the engine momentarily stop running.
Nope.....keep your tank at least a quarter-to-half full, and you won't have to worry about it.
But you are ultimately right - the range cannot be manually changed.
i've ran all the way down to 0 miles remaining (non-hybrid v6, IS250) just for kicks to see how far i would get. i got under 10 miles in before the fear of ruining the fuel pump (as mmarshall explained) or being stranded came, so i finally topped up.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
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Why would you want to?
First, the sensor-system is set up that way for a reason.....to help make sure you don't run out of gas, especially in an area where there are few stations. Second, in today's vehicles, with the way the fuel-pump and tank-ports are designed, you should not let gas level to drop below, say about a quarter full in the tank. That is because, first, the fuel pump, in the tank, is cooled and lubricated by the liquid gas itself, and, second, because a very low fuel level in the tank allows air in the tank to be drawn into the fuel lines from the ports when the low fuel-level sloshes around, especially in a sharp turn or sudden stop. That could make the engine momentarily stop running.
Nope.....keep your tank at least a quarter-to-half full, and you won't have to worry about it.
First, the sensor-system is set up that way for a reason.....to help make sure you don't run out of gas, especially in an area where there are few stations. Second, in today's vehicles, with the way the fuel-pump and tank-ports are designed, you should not let gas level to drop below, say about a quarter full in the tank. That is because, first, the fuel pump, in the tank, is cooled and lubricated by the liquid gas itself, and, second, because a very low fuel level in the tank allows air in the tank to be drawn into the fuel lines from the ports when the low fuel-level sloshes around, especially in a sharp turn or sudden stop. That could make the engine momentarily stop running.
Nope.....keep your tank at least a quarter-to-half full, and you won't have to worry about it.
You mentioned you have a 14 gallon tank. I’m assuming you have a NX 350h. On our ‘23 RAV4 hybrid (14.5 gallon tank) when the DTE displays “refuel” there’s 2.2 gallons left. It’s been confirmed, verified, and ran empty!!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
I don't really understand the allure of taking on the stress of running the tank down to basically nothing. When the light comes on, just stop and fuel. When you get low even if its not on and its convenient, stop and refuel 
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
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Have a coworker who has a 2011 tundra with 26 gallon tank. Low fuel light comes on when there’s 6 gallons left. For over 350k miles he thought he only had a 20 gallon tank because he said he’s never pumped over 19 gallons. When I had 26 gallon tundra I would get around 350 miles on tank in town whereas my friend would get 270-290 miles on tank because he refuels soon as he see the low refuel light.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Ohio
The light on my tundra comes on when there’s 8 gallons left. Cmon now that’s a little excessive.
Have a coworker who has a 2011 tundra with 26 gallon tank. Low fuel light comes on when there’s 6 gallons left. For over 350k miles he thought he only had a 20 gallon tank because he said he’s never pumped over 19 gallons. When I had 26 gallon tundra I would get around 350 miles on tank in town whereas my friend would get 270-290 miles on tank because he refuels soon as he see the low refuel light.
Have a coworker who has a 2011 tundra with 26 gallon tank. Low fuel light comes on when there’s 6 gallons left. For over 350k miles he thought he only had a 20 gallon tank because he said he’s never pumped over 19 gallons. When I had 26 gallon tundra I would get around 350 miles on tank in town whereas my friend would get 270-290 miles on tank because he refuels soon as he see the low refuel light.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
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In the LX 570 when the DTE was 0 there was 4 gallons left so I imagine maybe 6 gallons or so when the light would come on. Idk I never refilled it soon as the light came on because I knew it was BS and I wanted to find out. I want to say my LS460 was little more accurate.
But it’s frustrating you have TX350 owners with 17 gallon tank only getting 350 miles on a tank because the computer is showing the tank is 20-30 miles to empty but they are only refilling pumping 12 gallons.