Gas tank / gauge issues? I've never put more than 11.5G in my tank 99 SR5

[ReconcileUs]

So, I bought my 99 SR5 in February and one thing I've always been stumped about is when my tank is on empty, I've never put more than 11.5 gallons in it even though everyone says the tank is 18 gals. I think that's a pretty huge discrepancy. Is there any solution to this problem or do you have to just deal with the inaccurate gas gauge? I wouldn't mind if it was kind of inaccurate but mine seems way off.

 

[APhelps]

My idiot light comes on after using about 15 gallons.

 

[spartacus]

It's 18.5 gallons. keep a full can of gas in the truck for just in case. keep driving after the low fuel light is on also keep a tally of the miles driven.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

On my old 96 and both 97’s the 1/4 tank line is 12 gallons.




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[UnderFire]

Light clicks on at about 13-13.5 gallons without fail in every 3rd gen I've driven. Most I've ever pumped was 16.5 after driving 45 or so miles past the light.

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[Bad Luck]

So, I bought my 99 SR5 in February and one thing I've always been stumped about is when my tank is on empty, I've never put more than 11.5 gallons in it even though everyone says the tank is 18 gals. I think that's a pretty huge discrepancy. Is there any solution to this problem or do you have to just deal with the inaccurate gas gauge? I wouldn't mind if it was kind of inaccurate but mine seems way off.

There's a toyota service bulletin for 99-00 4Runner's for gas gauge inaccuracy. TSB (Toyota Service Bulletin) # EL010-00, titled "Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy" if you wanna look it up. Some get the sender bracket replaced, some get a circuit in the cluster, some get both. I fill up when my gauge hits empty and it's around 12-13 gallons. If your tank isn't dented then it's an 18.5 gallon capacity.

 

[brillo_76]

My idiot light comes on after using about 15 gallons.

Same as APhelps for me about 15 gallons in my 98 and 97. Most toyotas have their idiot lights come on with 2 to 2.5 gallons left in tank. That's sorta almost standard across tocumas and Camry's too. Well my 09 Tocuma and 02 Camry anyhow.

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[MaineRunna]

Driven about 40 miles past low fuel light and put just shy of 16 gallons in my 98.

 

[plcfcng]

I recall reading another member that while the tank is 18.5 gl about 1.5 gl is not accessible by the fuel pump I would say this was most likely on nearly flat ground. Another thing to consider is running a fuel pump dry is not good for the pump itself as the fuel moving threw the pump cool and lubes as it moves threw itself.:banana:

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

So, I bought my 99 SR5 in February and one thing I've always been stumped about is when my tank is on empty, I've never put more than 11.5 gallons in it even though everyone says the tank is 18 gals. I think that's a pretty huge discrepancy. Is there any solution to this problem or do you have to just deal with the inaccurate gas gauge? I wouldn't mind if it was kind of inaccurate but mine seems way off.

This is exactly what will happen if your gas tank is even slightly dented underneath. Take a look at your gas tank and make sure its not dented. If it is, the only thing you can do is change it out.

 

[3bears]

when min e reads empty and the light is on, it is about 14 gallons to fill. One time, in the middle of no place I did keep driving with my fingers crossed..and put about 16 gallons in it.
I try now to fill it even before the light comes on, and this time of year, rarely let get below half tank...

 

[Mudeprived]

I ran out of gas a few times and could only managed to put 16.5 gallons in there.
My gauge range is rather short. It goes from Full to 3/4 at 240 miles. Then I fill it up and put in roughly 14-15 gallons. It is too old to fix that so I just go by miles.

The PO had the dealer do the TSB work (everything) and problem is still there. Toyota sucks with head gaskets and fuel gauges lol.

 

[derekwilliams345]

i have run my truck out of gas a couple times on long trips in NW united states. ive also coasted into the gas station and put in 18.3 gallons. If i fill up right when the light comes on it takes about 15.5-16 gallons to top off.

You might be able to drop your tank and bend the fuel sending unit float arm