Ok, new to the Hybrid family. But I need some answers anyone. Family took our first driving weekend and at a quarter tank the warning light came on saying I needed to get gas. It surprised me as I was expecting it to come on closer to the empty line. Added fuel 16.1 gallons and I am assuming I still had 4 gallons in the tank. And that I really did not need to add fuel when the light comes on but it is big and scary as it flashes at you. Has anyone elase experienced this. We were at 484 miles on 16.1 gallons so average 30 MPG at that point. I was driving between 65-75 miles per hour on the drive, fully loaded down in my small trunk with two boys in the back seats. Comings from a 8 MPG truck 30 MPG is a blessing.

Hello and Welcome,

This is a well known and well discussed issue.

The computer seems to be set to countdown 16 gallons of gas. It also does not check the actual amount of gas in the tank, but uses calculations instead.

My theory is that the software folks were told they were only getting an 18 gallon tank or they were given the programing from the Camry (which only has an 18 gallon tank). Counting down to 16 with 2 gallons "reserve" makes sense but 4 gallons is over 100 miles of driving you could still do.

I took a trip from Central NJ to VA, tooled around Maryland for several days and went back to NJ. I averaged 37 MPG, drove over 620 miles, about 40 of those on "empty", and still had 3 gallons in my tank at fill-up.

Things we keep in mind. Even in winter, when MPG is at it's lowest, the NAH can always get 500+ miles, so we always reset our trip odometers and the MPG dash computer at each fill-up and never even worry about gas until 500 miles is met. We also remember to never panic if we hit the "empty" countdown because there is always 3 to 4 more gallons of gas in the tank. There is no final "really out of gas" warning so you should fill up after the warning, but there is no need to panic, you have plenty of gas to finish what you are doing and get to a station.

Best Wishes

Thank you very much for the post it is great information. We our absolutely excited about going green and are looking into getting rid of our Chevy Tahoe next. Recomendations for a traveling family that needs trunk room for baseball equipment? Ford and Mercury Hybrids SUV's make me nervous because of the name brand. Do not want to go to the new chevy hybrid tahoe, gas mileage for trade off of space is too small.

Yah, the whole gas gauge deal is pretty poor engineering IMHO...

Take a look at the Toyota Highlander, I believe it uses the same Synergy Drive as NAH and the Camry. Toyota is light years ahead of the game!!!