Two Different Test Runs

I have a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with automatic transmission. The tank holds about 18.5 gallons of fuel. The vehicle manual states the fuel light will come on at about 2.5 gallons.

Test Run 1

The check fuel light came on at 197 miles. (Seemed way to low to me because according to the above facts, I would have used 16 gallons to drive 197 miles.)

I pushed what fuel I had left and went another 45 miles, filling it up at 242 miles. Here's the odd part. It only took 16.50 gallons to fill. This means there were still two gallons left.

Test Run 2

The check fuel light came on at 199 miles.

I pushed the fuel I had left and went another 58 miles, filling up at 257 miles. Here's the odd part of this test. It took 18.5 gallons to fill. This means I was almost completely out of fuel.

Both tests were after driving pretty much the same routes. (Mostly city some highway.)

Confusion:

If the light comes on at 2.5 gallons left, how was I able to drive an average of 51.5 miles (average between both tests) without running out of fuel? (Screen in vehicle says I average about 16 mpg.)

Things just aren't adding up.

Bottom line conclusion with the 2010 Jeep Wrangler.

I feel safe driving 45-50 miles tops, after the check light comes on. It obviously does not come on with 2.5 gallons of fuel left.

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