Maybe this is a silly question, but I'll ask it anyway... What's the most fuel you've put in your tank when you've filled up at the gas station? Just the fuel tank, not extra gas cans.

I ran the tank pretty darn dry this weekend - the little low fuel light was on and the computer display noted that I had a whopping "0" miles left on the tank. So, I filled up yesterday so that there was a little gas above the little metal piece in the gas spout. I put in 24.31 gallons. I thought the tank capacity was 23.1 gallons.

The cost was a freakin $71.20 here in Georgia. I know that's probably less than some states and maybe more than others, but it's still seventy freakin dollars to fill up the dang truck! :twak:

David

Wow, The Toyota website lists 23 gal as the tank capacity. I don't know if that is with or without reserve, but something sounds a little funny with the pump putting in 24 gal.

If it were me I would probably buy my gas at a different station and report that one to the county auditor as one that they should check!

You were running on fumes anyway! And then to get whacked with a $70+ fill up is just brutal!

Hmmm weird. Even when I ran down the trip estimator to 4 before, it still only filled up the tank to around 21 gallons so it had about 2 gallons left in reserve.

I agree. The last time the computer listed below 5 miles left on the tank I filled up between 21 and 22 gallons. This time was a little different in that I filled up so that the gas was visible in the spout when I stopped filling up. To be fair, this was the first time I had the fuel gauge below the Empty mark on the gauge.

I believe it is possible that the filler neck could hold an additional gallon of gas (depending on how far after the pump auto shutoff you fill it), but sounds like the pump was a little off (did you see a calibration sticker on the pump from the state)...

One word of caution about running it below 21 gallons... The fuel pump is in the tank and relies on the gas for lubrication (hence the 3 gallon "reserve"). If you run it dry, you run the risk of damaging the fuel pump (replacement cost is roughly $600-$700 talking the the mechanics up here - got to watch a 2003 having this done last week because the owner "ran it dry one too many times" (according to the service manager). And since this is monitored by the ECU (and the little black box inside), this is not an item covered by warranty.

.....you must have been bone-dry......the filler neck holds over a gallon of gas so if you filled it past the steel collar then there's the difference between the 23.1/gallons and your 24.31 gallons....

20.738 gallons.


I try to fill up at 1/4 tank when it is convenient. I hate to be in a rush and have to stop for gas.

You guys shouldn't fillup the filler neck and should just round up after the handle does it's first "click". Your tank needs a little room for the pressure in the tank to expand and overfilling leads to failure of the evaporative emissions system and will cost you more than it's worth the little extra gas you're adding.

I repeat,don't overfill as this should be common knowledge.

In my old 1997 T4R, I regularly put more gas in the tank than it was supposed to hold. Basically, I was told that the neck holds upwards of a gallon & the fuel lines can hold a good bit as well. I would not freak out about getting screwed at that one gas station.

And I feel your pain about the ATL prices. I went to Tennessee last weekend...a state that has double the gas taxes of Georgia...and their gas is 20-30 cents CHEAPER than ours!

At about 2.90 a gallon, your gas is dirt cheap compared to southern california. We are at about 3.50 on average, and I have seem some stations over 4.00 a gallon.

they gave me a coupon for a free fill-up when i got the 4runner, so i ran it down to 17 miles after the light came on and i put a tad over 25 gallons in.

On my 4Runner, I *ALWAYS* pump between 2.2 and 2.7 more gallons in after the pump clicks off for the first time. This brings it right up to the filler neck. I do this without fail every single time and have had no problems whatsoever over the last 14 months/25k miles of ownership.

Ricky

Thanks for the info. I haven't heard that the fuel pump could be damaged by running the tank low. I'll make sure and not make a habit of it. I wouldn't want to be stuck with the cost of replacing the fuel pump and other items because I ran the tank dry. I appreciate the info!

I'm sure the extra gallon was the fuel in the filler neck and hoses. My initial post wasn't so much about where the extra fuel came from or that the pump was not calibrated incorrectly, it was more amazement that I ran the thing so dry. I won't do that again.

Is it really worth the extra gallon or two to overfill?

Even if it hasn't had any ill effects on performance it's just a matter of time. Also overfilling forces the charcoal cansister to vent more harmful pollutants into the air that otherwise wouldn't be there. Point #3 is the fuel return line can be overpressurized and fail prematurely when you least expect it. Ask any mechanic that is worth a crap and he'll tell you the same thing,ask your dealer mechanic.

This is a bit tree hugger-ish but it explains part of the problem.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/eco/tips.html#3

Also remember that gas needs room to expand when it get this hot and putting that much pressure on the seals of the fuel system will wear them out prematurely and cause issues. It's Physics in action.