Low Fuel indicator suuuuuucks

[sudermatt]

so my low fuel bell goes off the other day...the light is on....so I switch over the the 'Distance To Empty' readout on the speedo and....

greeaaaaaaatttttt. it tells me my fuel is low. THANK YOU!

tried clearing that helpful kernel...NOPE! THANK YOU AGAIN!

when I REALLY need some indication how far I have till empty, I get bup-kiss...

I know, I know...it's an average...it's not really accurate....but come ON!

Anyone else think this is lame??

or am I an idiot?
is there a way to clear it I don't know.

Please just answer question 2...my wife reminds me of the answer to #1 regularly.

Cheers!
Matt

[moneypit]

I have the old less sophisticated Unlimited. I get the light but it's all up to me as to how far I try to go. It seems that I still have about 2 gallons when the light goes on based on trial and error. I usually fill up before the light goes on anyway. My wife on the other hand seems to love to see how far she can go with the light on.

[nwquadriders]

The LJ has a 19 gallon tank. My light goes on, and I usually drive another 10 or 15 miles. It usually only takes 15 gallons to fill up, so I think when my light goes on, I've got around 4 to 5 gallons left. So, I just use it as my "get gas you moron" light

[johncub]

my 06 is the same, get gas when the light comes on and it's 15 gallons in a 19 tank. Therefore I deduce I have 4 gallons of reserve. YOUR mileage may vary.

[Belfast]

Most of us here have the '04-'06 Unlimiteds and don't have the distance-to-empty feature (and from the sounds of it, we're not missing much).

That being said, in the summer I usually go 40 or so miles after the light goes on. In the winter, I usually fill up at quarter tank so if the light goes on I fill up pretty quick - but that is because you're not supposed to go less than a quarter tank when you are in freezing weather.

I keep track of my mileage pretty closely and seem to get my best mileage if I drive as far as possible after the light (obviously less gas means less weight).