There are 2-3 gallons in the tank when the light comes on, and I refill when the low light indicator comes on. Low fuel levels mean less fuel to cool the pump, which could be more wear.

 

I usually get it when there's 3 or 4 bars left but last time I let them all disappear. I was pretty nervous until I pulled up to the pump, lol. 291 miles on that tank.

 

I try to adhere to the mentality that a fuller tank will help dilute any particulate impurities that may or may not be present in fuel and also that a fuller tank would tend to enable less moisture buildup potential. Do I always keep mine topped off as much as possible? Hell no.

That said though....I try not to make a habit of only adding fuel when the level is at or near its lower limit. I don't like flirting with potential problems if I can help it.

 

Just today I got down to no bars left for the first time ever. Right after the last bar disappeared I filled up 11.5 gallons, meaning even when you get down to no bars you're going to have 1.7 gallons left. This more than enough to avoid all these issues that have been brought up. Thought I'd pass that along.

Normally I fill up when I get around 3-4 bars left since these cars' gas gauges are lopsided toward the full side. Psychologically it's nice going 40+ miles without losing a bar after a fill-up but it really blows when I go from 4 bars to nothing within minutes.

 

I have a Subaru Impreza that's like that. Once it gets down to below 1/4 it wants to suck the level indicator out of the bezel. Now consequently my Pathfinder is quite the opposite and tends to cling to life below 1/4.

 

I try to fill it up at the 2-3 bar mark. Mine guzzles the last 4 bars like it's going out of style. Freaks me out, even though I know there's at least a gallon or two left in there.

 

My car also does the same thing. The last 3 bars goes by very fast. I try to fill it up around 1/4 tank

 

I usually leave it til the little light comes on. The bars fluctuate a lot when its really low, ive even caught it going up a few times, so i dont really trust them when its low anymore

 

I hear this is a regular thing with Honda's but havent ever experienced this on my S when the tank is real low.
This is based on my current beater Civic, previous Civic and 3 other various MY Accord's of my various family members.

 

I drove about 15 miles after the last bar was gone. When I went to fill up it only took 12 gallons to fill it up. So there was still at least a gallon left technically.