Fuel gauge/capacity

[T4R_Finally]

My 4runner isn't home right now but I was just thinking about something that comes to mind each time we fill up. So, I thought I'd post it here to get some thoughts.

I haven't checked but I thought I remembered reading that the 4Runner has a 25 gallon tank capacity. If I am wrong, that would answer a lot of my question.

My wife is the primary driver and she doesn't like to get anywhere near empty on gas. So, 1/4 tank is usually the lowest she will let it get before she stops to fill up. And I've stopped to fill it up before when the range on the computer is less than 100 miles to go. But it never seems to take as much fuel as I expect it to. Am I wrong about the capacity or is it designed to have more fuel left in it than it leads you to believe by the fuel gauge/computer range?

 

[BrandonS]

23 gal tank. Keep in mind though, if you fill it up with 100 miles left on the tank you'll have around 5 gallons (at 20mpg), plus some extra that is still in the tank when it hits 0.

2011 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4.0L V6 5-speed Automatic Features and Specs

 

[philsey]

.... or is it designed to have more fuel left in it than it leads you to believe by the fuel gauge/computer range?

Yes. I once drove to -50 on the "miles to empty" display.

Funny about your wife ... my mom was the same way, except her threshold was at 1/2 tank. "You never know", she'd say. Ha!

 

[Intruder]

The fuel gauge points to E before it actually is. I know on the Acuras I owned in the past there was something like 10L left in the tank when the needle hit empty. Not sure what the reserve is on the 4R.

 

[K O]

Most vehicles are designed to have 2 gallons in reserve after you hit E or '0' on the display.

You can confirm this yourself by driving to exactly 0 on the trip computer and filling up. It should take 21 gallons, and you have a 23 gallon tank.

 

[T4R_Finally]

I've owned many vehicles and they all have some gas left when the needle gets to E. This I know. But I don't think I've ever had one that reserves as much as this one seems to. I'm not complaining - it's probably a good thing. Was just curious.

 

[MeBe4running]

Interesting you should say...

I filled up the other day and my range gauge said I had 453 miles. I laughed of course as 50 miles disappeared in 9. Another thing I have realized is that you can top off the truck an extra $10-15 of gas when filling up. Which is roughly 2-3 gallons. I have had so it almost overflows. Just a thing of curiosity. Does anyone know if that's bad for the truck? Like expansion in warm weather etc...

 

[scanny]

In Ford Escape people drove 50 kms (about 30 miles) after computer shows that 0 km left. I've heard that if you run completely dry it might hurt fuel pump, so automakers put some safety precautions.

 

[T4R_Finally]

I filled up the other day and my range gauge said I had 453 miles. I laughed of course as 50 miles disappeared in 9. Another thing I have realized is that you can top off the truck an extra $10-15 of gas when filling up. Which is roughly 2-3 gallons. I have had so it almost overflows. Just a thing of curiosity. Does anyone know if that's bad for the truck? Like expansion in warm weather etc...

It's a bad thing period, according to my dealer. Warm weather expansion has nothing to do with it. When we took delivery, one of the first things they told us was to NEVER top off the tank. When the gas pump stops, that's it, don't add anymore fuel. It has something to do with overflowing some filter or canister that has to do with emissions. I've started doing this will all of my vehicles now. Although, I've never really been one to jam full of fuel. I might try to cheat up to the next even dollar amount, but that's it. But I don't even do that anymore.

 

[TOY2G]

In Ford Escape people drove 50 kms (about 30 miles) after computer shows that 0 km left. I've heard that if you run completely dry it might hurt fuel pump, so automakers put some safety precautions.

I filled up the other day and my range gauge said I had 453 miles. I laughed of course as 50 miles disappeared in 9. Another thing I have realized is that you can top off the truck an extra $10-15 of gas when filling up. Which is roughly 2-3 gallons. I have had so it almost overflows. Just a thing of curiosity. Does anyone know if that's bad for the truck? Like expansion in warm weather etc...

It's a bad thing period, according to my dealer. Warm weather expansion has nothing to do with it. .

To start with fuel is measured a gall at a set rate of 60 degrees...occupies 231 cubic inches at 60 degrees. But at 75 degrees, the same amount of fuel occupies 233.4 cubic inches. At 90 degrees, the gas expands to 235.8 cubic inches so expansion is a part of it.

secondly overfilling can effect your emissions in a sealed fuel system. you NEVER want to allow fuel into your vapor canister (above the spare tire on 4th gen) I am not sure it can get into the canister with overfilling, but it may. this will limit the ability of you canister to filter flammable vapor in your vehicle. this can be unsafe and also cause costly repairs.

Lastly, running you vehicle to empty is not a good idea, there are vehicles that can destroy the fuel pump if ran dry (H2 for one) reason is, the fuel is the lube and the cooling for your pump, once the fuel is gone your pump fails due to the effects of friction. Can you get an extra 30-40 miles on your T4R after it reads "0"? YUP.....Should you? NOPE

 

[Beakerbox]

I don't know if it's the same on the 4 runner - but many other vehicles have an overflow line to make sure there's enough room left for expansion. So at a certain point when topping off - the fuel is running out the overflow tube and onto the ground. Again I don't know if this is true of the 4runner.

 

[MeBe4running]

Wow, jeez never really thought of that. Good points. Lesson learned here not to top off anymore. Thanks for the detailed response!

 

[1000MPH]

Topping off is rumored to be illegal in Oregon and several other states.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Topping off is rumored to be illegal in Oregon and several other states.

It shouldn't matter in Oregon because you can't pump your own gas there anyway. I had to dispute a credit card charge on a rental car when they said I returned it without being full. I showed them the fuel receipt from the gas station down the street showing I gassed up right before returning it, and advised that I am not responsible for the fact that the attendant didn't pump it full as I am not allowed to pump my own gas. They still tried to bill me $6.99/gal when street price on gas was $2.50.

As for a "reason" for it to be illegal (if it is) is more about environmental concerns of you overflowing your tank and spilling fuel on the ground than it is about harmful effects to your vehicle.

 

[deekoi]

I've owned many vehicles and they all have some gas left when the needle gets to E. This I know. But I don't think I've ever had one that reserves as much as this one seems to. I'm not complaining - it's probably a good thing. Was just curious.

Let her fill up or she might end up like my ex, and break down wondering why when she ran out of gas...

 

[oldsweng]

Topping off is rumored to be illegal in Oregon and several other states.

It IS illegal in Oregon to top off. I am continually reminding the pump jockeys of the law and the harm they can cause the vehicle. Before the law they were always filling to the top to maximize sales and inevitably spilling gas. The law against pumping it yourself has mixed consequences. It keeps a few thousand people employed and my 80 year old mother doesn't have to get out and pump gas. Yet you sometimes have to deal with the clueless.