fuel tank capacity misprint???

[beau123]

I recently dove into the specs (back of the manual) and discovered that the fuel tank capacity is suppose to be 18.5 gallons (15.4 imp. gallons (imperial gallons)). i have never put more than just over 15 gallons in, even having driven 20 or so miles after the low fuel light came on. ??? is this a misprint? I confirmed the 18.5 spec on several sites.

is it that gas stations work off the imperial gallon and we just assume it's a standard US gallon? when the light comes on, is there really appx. 4 gallons of fuel left (highly doubt it)? or is there a very consistent issue with the fuel gauge?

anyone else having similar results?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

For one,yes the gas guages are innacurate but also if you ran your truck to empty there'd still be a gallon or maybe even two that the pump won't pull in since the pump doesn't sit on the bottom of the tank so it won't pull in sediments.

I'll drive with the fuel light on and I'm always worried I'm pushing it at around 250-260 a tank so I fillup around there and I still only squeeze in a little over 15 gallons with a high of just over 16 once.

The gas guages do have a few issues on 3rd gens but at least it errs on the better side intead of reading too high.

 

[techno]

I easily get 50 miles city driving with the low fuel light on and still only put 15-16.5 gallons in.

 

[004Gunner]

I easily get 50 miles city driving with the low fuel light on and still only put 15-16.5 gallons in.

Same here. . . seriously though, can we sticky this info on 3rd gens?

 

[Mellow77]

+1, I always feel like I'm pushing my luck (with my girl nagging at me) but I think the most I have ever squeezed in was right at 16 gallons.

I think she (my T4R) just like to checkout the gas station scene... :jump:

 

[broncosi]

I filled up more than 15 gallons before but I don't remember how much. I did post about it in the other 2359021 threads about the 3rd gen gas tanks though if you want to read about it there. As far as the gas light coming on, you can also read about that in 342523 other threads already posted.

 

[broncosi]

Just a few I found

LINK 1
LINK 2
LINK 3

 

[kokbagg]

just though i would say that i have made it 40 miles with my gas light on going through a very hilly area. I was extremely nervous after the first ten miles after i realized there were no gas stations in deliverance! but it makes me feel a little better to know that other people have gone pretty far

 

[Martinjmpr]

I once put about 18.3 gallons into my tank, so I can confirm the 18.5 gallon size.

And I've gone ~60 miles on a low fuel light.

The gas gauge on the 3rd gen 4runner sux, that's why I got an Ultra-Gauge. It has a "DTE" (Distance To Empty) display that has become my de facto gas gauge.

It's quite accurate once it's calibrated.

 

[the great him]

well i dont mean to one up you jump master, but ive put over 19 gallons into my runner(stock tank) and i drove it into the gas station, didnt have to tow it... i think it was like 19.4 gallons i was shocked

 

[bcvanni514]

well i dont mean to one up you jump master, but ive put over 19 gallons into my runner(stock tank) and i drove it into the gas station, didnt have to tow it... i think it was like 19.4 gallons i was shocked

same! I just recently filled it with 19.2!

 

[MAD 69]

I don't mean to one up you guys but I put 20.2 gallons in my tank! No just kidding but I did just order an Ultra Gauge, how do you calibrate it? Do you have to hook it up to a computer first?

 

[durrell]

I put in 18.9 gallons almost every time I pump. It takes forever (pump keeps cutting off), but that extra 3 gallons is an extra day of commuting for me. I average about 310-320 miles a tank.

 

[MAD 69]

The filler neck must hold at least a gallon then! I heard some guys saying its not good to top it off, it might foul the charcoal filter? I just give it one or two more clicks after it stops filling.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

You guys are way overfilling the tank and shouldn't be filled past the first click or two since you aren't leaving any room for the gas to expand when the warm temps are in effect and it gets pushed into the evaporative charcoal canister and once it's saturated it'll foul up your emissions and throw a CEL. A new canister is several hundred dollars so be aware.

Like I stated years back in this thread the tank is 18 or so gallons but even if you run it empty there will be a gallon or two of unused gas since the fuel pump doesn't sit on the very bottom of the tank.

 

[techno]

Well, today I started to run out of gas after 45 miles driving with the low fuel light on. I reset the trip within seconds of the light illuminating. And when I say 'started' to run out, the engine was stopping when driving downhill then was able to restart on the flat and/or uphill. Kind of makes sense since the suction thing is closer to the rear of the tank.

 

[sportscarfan]

I've been keeping track since we got our '97 five months ago.
We usually fill soon after seeing the low fuel light.

The most it's taken to fill (first click off of the pump, then maybe a bit more to get a round #) is 15.434 gallons.

Average MPG to date (probably 80% city driving) is 18.15.

 

[IanB]

Fuel pumps are also temperature corrected, so the guys saying they were able to fit more than 18.5 gallons in may have that correction factor working for them as well.

 

[kokbagg]

after reading this i am gonna experiment on my way home next time. i will be going from mankato, MN to Manitowoc, WI. It's about 350 miles. ill just bring a gas can :lookout:

 

[durrell]

You guys are way overfilling the tank and shouldn't be filled past the first click or two since you aren't leaving any room for the gas to expand when the warm temps are in effect and it gets pushed into the evaporative charcoal canister and once it's saturated it'll foul up your emissions and throw a CEL. A new canister is several hundred dollars so be aware.

Like I stated years back in this thread the tank is 18 or so gallons but even if you run it empty there will be a gallon or two of unused gas since the fuel pump doesn't sit on the very bottom of the tank.

Yikes, I'll start heeding that advice then. Guess I'll just fill up to two clicks or so. I always wondered why the 2 gallon discrepancy was there, but now that I know where the fuel pump is that makes more sense.