How many gallons to fill up?

[evan1242]

Hey everyone!
I’m looking to see how many gallons will your 4runner take in after a fill up from empty?

The reason I am asking is because mine can be slap empty as in needle all the way down with the light on and the range indicator says 0 miles. And it only ever takes in 16 gallons. Maybe every now and then it will make it to 17. My range between fill ups with calculating larger tire size is only about 228 miles normally. (V6 with 285/70/17)
I’ve seen that our runner have a 23 gallons tank and I can’t imagine there is 6-7 gallons left after the range calculator gets to 0 and the low gas light is on.

So, how many gallons are you guys able to get in after a fill up?

 

[AuSeeker]

It's a 23 gallon tank, I usually put in around 20 gallons if the low light has come on but I have put as much as 21 gallons in, I usually get around 320 to 330 miles on that much fuel with my V8 and no modifications.

Check your tank if it has a big dent in it that would explain your issue.

 

[doofenshmirtz]

It's 23 gallons. What you are doing is correct/good though. Part of the design intent of the gas tank is to use the fuel itself to cool the fuel pump so it doesn't overheat and burn out.

Your gauge will show empty when it's time to get gas in order to prevent damage to the fuel pump - this is usually around 1/4 of your actual fuel capacity. Once this was explained to me, it was much easier to stomach filling up 17-18 gallons when I knew I had multiple gallons left in the tank...

 

[bkim7]

It's a 23 gallon tank, I usually put in around 20 gallons if the low light has come on but I have put as much as 21 gallons in, I usually get around 320 to 330 miles on that much fuel with my V8 and no modifications.

Check your tank if it has a big dent in it that would explain your issue.

Hey everyone!
I’m looking to see how many gallons will your 4runner take in after a fill up from empty?

The reason I am asking is because mine can be slap empty as in needle all the way down with the light on and the range indicator says 0 miles. And it only ever takes in 16 gallons. Maybe every now and then it will make it to 17. My range between fill ups with calculating larger tire size is only about 228 miles normally. (V6 with 285/70/17)
I’ve seen that our runner have a 23 gallons tank and I can’t imagine there is 6-7 gallons left after the range calculator gets to 0 and the low gas light is on.

So, how many gallons are you guys able to get in after a fill up?

Yep don't worry it's a 23 gallon tank. I had 1/4 of a tank remaining yesterday and put in about 14 gallons. 20 gallons is also about what I fill up if my low fuel light turns on.

 

[evan1242]

My thing is if I drive with the low gas light on for a while and the range has said 0 miles for a while I still can only get 17 gallons in at the most.

 

[doofenshmirtz]

My thing is if I drive with the low gas light on for a while and the range has said 0 miles for a while I still can only get 17 gallons in at the most.

Have to ever run out of gas on the side of the road? - There’s 23 gallons in there. The computer is keeping you from hurting your car.

You can look up a zero point calibration and do that if you think your gauge is off.

 

[volkinator]

Been offroad? Have a big dent in the gas tank skid? If so, you'll have less capacity, otherwise you're all good. I put at max 20 gal in (when I've been driving home with the light on the whole time) I don't think I've ever put more than that. My 3rd gen was even worse. Light would come on and would take 12 gallons (18 gallon tank) These tanks are pretty long and shallow, the sender doesn't have enough sensitivity.

 

[JuniorPigeon]

You have a 23 gallon tank either way. Could be some sort of calibration issue with your gauge/remaining miles, but I wouldn't assume it's anything bad. Also remember that like people before me said, you don't want to run your tank dry.

As for the dent diagnoses, I will guarantee you don't have a dent large enough to displace seven gallons of gas. That much volume does not just disappear that way.

 

[evan1242]

Have to ever run out of gas on the side of the road? - There’s 23 gallons in there. The computer is keeping you from hurting your car.



You can look up a zero point calibration and do that if you think your gauge is off.

No I agree. I don’t want to run the pump dry. It just seems like everyone else gets 20 in there compared to my 16 sometimes 17. I’ll take a look for dents. But I doubt there is any.
A zero point might be a good idea
Thanks!

 

[volkinator]

As for the dent diagnoses, I will guarantee you don't have a dent large enough to displace seven gallons of gas. That much volume does not just disappear that way.

But it would make for an EPIC story!

 

[JuniorPigeon]

But it would make for an EPIC story!

I bet haha. Anyone who crushes a third of the gas tank probably has bigger problems than capacity at that point :lmao:

 

[Tyronmar]

I have 18.5 gallons, I fill it up maybe 15 miles after the light comes on and its never more than 15 gallons. It's built like that for a reason.

 

[Flyer]

I'll get 18 in there and I have gotten 18.5 once but I rarely let it go below 1/4 tank anymore...usually half.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I’ve tracked every fill up for 3+ years. Just checked & the most I’ve ever gone on one tank is 390.4 miles and it took 22.184 gallons. That was rare; only a few times have I ever put 20+ in it.

My method FWIW: I know I’m getting at least 17 mpg on pavement so to be conservative, I use 16 mpg x 23 gallons or 368 miles on the trip odo as my “never exceed” point. Don’t recall what happened that day but good to know there was still nearly a gallon left.

 

[doofenshmirtz]

/the end lol

 

[AuSeeker]

/the end lol

For that first photo, I don't know how you made it to the gas station!!

That being said you need to be careful to not put too much in the tank/filler neck or you risk over filling it and contaminating the evaporation system...i.e. the charcoal canister, which is expensive to replace.

 

[evan1242]

I have 18.5 gallons, I fill it up maybe 15 miles after the light comes on and its never more than 15 gallons. It's built like that for a reason.

I understand there is supposed to gas left in the tank to cool the pump. But it still doesn’t explain why mine stops at 16 gallons and everyone else’s seems to stop at about 20.