gas tank capcity

[mtb79]

My 03 fuel light usually lights up around 19 gallons empty and I have never pumped more then 20 gallons of fuel. Out of curiosity has anyone come close to or completely emptied their tank (according to specs 23 gallons)? Just want to confirm if we have a 3 gallon reserve once the fuel light turns on?

 

[eskimochaos]

My 03 fuel light usually lights up around 19 gallons empty and I have never pumped more then 20 gallons of fuel. Out of curiosity has anyone come close to or completely emptied their tank (according to specs 23 gallons)? Just want to confirm if we have a 3 gallon reserve once the fuel light turns on?

23 search

 

[simple]

My 03 fuel light usually lights up around 19 gallons empty and I have never pumped more then 20 gallons of fuel. Out of curiosity has anyone come close to or completely emptied their tank (according to specs 23 gallons)? Just want to confirm if we have a 3 gallon reserve once the fuel light turns on?

Yes. According to 20/20, American vehicles are built so that the yellow light gives a 40mi or so buffer. In Euro cars the yellow light means no kidding you need gas now. Interesting I thought.

 

[MikesToy]

I haven't emptied my 4Runner yet or else i'd be pushing it or having it towed to a gas station. lol But, i have put 23.4 (accdg to pump) gallons in it. At that time i thought we had a 25-gallon tank.

 

[mtb79]

I've noticed that the computer displays how many miles the 4runner can travel based on fuel light and not the whole 23 gallons. anyone else notice that? Good thing we're not in the UK

 

[simple]

I haven't emptied my 4Runner yet or else i'd be pushing it or having it towed to a gas station. lol But, i have put 23.4 (accdg to pump) gallons in it. At that time i thought we had a 25-gallon tank.

Geezus. You must have had 2 tea spoons of gas left.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Yes. According to 20/20, American vehicles are built so that the yellow light gives a 40mi or so buffer. In Euro cars the yellow light means no kidding you need gas now. Interesting I thought.

That is interesting... My US-spec 99Trooper was a BUY FUEL NOW! light. It was 1.1 or .9 gallons, pretty ridiculous on a 16mpg vehicle. Other owners reported the same. I guess Isuzu didn't know Americans need more buffer:lmao:

 

[alaskaman]

I rolled into a gas station on fumes and it took 23.1

 

[r32]

I have a 2008 v6 Sport.

One time I drove 32 miles on the freeway, from the time my gas light came on, until I found a gas station.

Also, another time I drove 29 miles after the gas light came on, and about 10 miles of that was in a big city, in stop-and-go traffic. Rest of it on the highway.

Usually I don't like to go more than about 10 miles after the gas light comes on though.

 

[Uneek]

23 gallons is most likely the dry capacity of the tank. There's a thread around here where some have discovered if you fill the filler tube with gas, it's possible to have more than 23 gallons of gas.

When the light comes on, you still have a "reserved" capacity. With most cars, you'll never acheive the rated gas tank capacity when the light comes on because of the reserved capacity.

 

[watusippin?]

I've come pretty damn close to running out of gas on my older cars. I had my engine almost die out while I was going up this steep hill to get to the gas station.

However for my 4R I plan on filling up at 1/4 of a tank to keep my injectors from getting clogged with all of the supposed "junk" that can accumulate at the bottom of the gas tank.

 

[eskimochaos]

I've come pretty damn close to running out of gas on my older cars. I had my engine almost die out while I was going up this steep hill to get to the gas station.

However for my 4R I plan on filling up at 1/4 of a tank to keep my injectors from getting clogged with all of the supposed "junk" that can accumulate at the bottom of the gas tank.

That junk is a myth. The end of the line does move as fuel levels drop.

 

[simple]

That junk is a myth. The end of the line does move as fuel levels drop.

I've heard to avoid gas stations for a few days after they've been filled because the sediments in the tank get disturbed. Can't that stuff transfer into your tank? Also, I only fill up at Shell and Chevron unless I have absolutely no choice. But, who KNOWS whats in some of the gas you can buy in little unknown stations. I think there is plenty of potential for crap to get into your tanks.

 

[charlier180]

I've heard to avoid gas stations for a few days after they've been filled because the sediments in the tank get disturbed. Can't that stuff transfer into your tank? Also, I only fill up at Shell and Chevron unless I have absolutely no choice. But, who KNOWS whats in some of the gas you can buy in little unknown stations. I think there is plenty of potential for crap to get into your tanks.

In my area, it would be totally impossible to wait a few days after a station gets a delivery since the stations get deliveries EVERY DAY.

It has been my experience that filters on gas pumps do a decent job of keeping "junk" out of a vehicle's fuel tank.
What the pump filters do not deal with very well is water in the gas.
If water gets into the vehicle fuel tank or condensates in the tank that is how "junk" can and does get into the tank.
The water/condensation along with letting the tank get low can and does RUST metal parts in the tank over time.
That RUST then becomes the "junk" in the tank that WILL CLOG in tank fuel filters and/or restrict fuel lines going to the engine.

I recently had a fuel flow problem in one of my vehicles. The fuel pump died. After replacing the pump the vehicle would not start/run.
Further investigation revealed that "junk" (ie Black Goo) in the tank had clogged the in tank fuel filter.
Turned out that the fuel sending unit's metal parts had rusted, flaked off and created the goo and problem.
I ended up swapping out the tank, in tank filter and sending unit for new/used ones and the vehicle runs fine now.

I do have to wonder if there are metal parts inside the 4Runner tank?
If so, one has to wonder if 4Runner owners who run their tanks down so low are risking future problems with "junk" in their tanks?
After dealing with the "junk" problem in my other vehicle and dropping/replacing the fuel tank, I can say that is one PITA I would not want to repeat with my 4Runner.