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38 Gal tank experiences....

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by KeithM, Mar 19, 2018.

  1. Apr 19, 2021 at 11:11 AM
    #421
    Netmonkey

    Netmonkey Don't be a Dumbass

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    Georgetown, TX
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    Icon stage 2 lift, 295 60 20 nitto ridge grapplers, fuel kranks, TRD dual exhaust, TRD rear sway bar
    Fill up at QuickTrip. Their pumps go to $200. They are all over texas.
     
  2. Apr 19, 2021 at 11:13 AM
    #422
    Astom22

    Astom22 New Member

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    I went 7/11, closer to work and drove right by the QuickTrip, but I saved .07 cents a gallon on an almost full tank... :)
     
  3. Apr 19, 2021 at 2:59 PM
    #423
    mike175gr

    mike175gr New Member

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    Same as everybody else. The most that I have ever put in my truck was about 29.5 gallons
     
  4. Apr 23, 2021 at 1:59 PM
    #424
    Tundra694

    Tundra694 New Member

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    Yes I was confused by this as well. It was 600 when I got in I was like hot damn. Then 470 on first fill up. And have been confused ever since.
     
    AircareTundra and Minarets like this.
  5. Apr 23, 2021 at 2:08 PM
    #425
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Alberta, Canada
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    The computer is optimistic until it realizes what kind of real world fuel economy Tundras get.
     
  6. Apr 23, 2021 at 6:23 PM
    #426
    Minarets

    Minarets New Member

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    Yeah. Was so optimistic when I filled up (knowing there was a 38 gal tank) and could drive over 600 miles. I had a 2017 Titan before with a 26 gap tank and the computer was alway 410 miles on a fill up.
    Every time I now fill up with a 38 gal tank the tundra tells me 409 miles to empty.
     
  7. Apr 24, 2021 at 5:32 AM
    #427
    Pipo6007

    Pipo6007 New Member

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    I’m still showing 12.9-13 with a few hundred miles on the new truck. It’s started at 10MPG so I’m happy it’s going up!
     
    GODZILLA[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. May 5, 2021 at 11:08 AM
    #428
    andnyleswillriot

    andnyleswillriot Not Remote Working

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    Toytec 3" w/2.5 Coilovers. SPC UCA's. Method Roost Bronze Wheels. 35" BFG KO2's. SPC Upper Control Arms. 2019+ TRD Pro Grill. LED headlight bulbs. 2020 OEM LED Fog lights. Tech12volts Remote Start. MobArmor Magnetic Phone Mount. Topo Topper.
    Unless you're on a road trip, surprised some of you guys wait til empty to fill up the tank. You always are more fuel efficient filling up with a half tank or more
     
  9. May 5, 2021 at 11:22 AM
    #429
    Astom22

    Astom22 New Member

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    Why would filling up and keep more fuel in the tank make the truck more efficient, wouldn't the added weight of the extra fuel make it less efficient? I like to keep mine above half for our self imposed Facebook driven "fuel shortages" our area works themselves into from time to time, but usually let mine get below a quarter tank before filling up if no panic buying is on the horizon.
     
  10. May 5, 2021 at 11:37 AM
    #430
    IndianaGeologist

    IndianaGeologist New Member

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    I think you've got it backwards, it's more efficient to only fill your tank to halfway as you'll be driving with less weight between gas station fill-ups, not the other way around...but doing that is about as effective as dropping a deuce prior to driving and likely not worth the effort. Lol
     
  11. May 5, 2021 at 7:57 PM
    #431
    fytedapowr

    fytedapowr New Member

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    Jake
    Austin TX
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    Bilstein 6112/5160, CB +2 shackles, SPC UCA's, CB bumper shims, 35's
    Just redid my fuel pump assembly and found out that gas enters the assembly by spilling over the top of a donut shaped housing. Once the gas level is lower than that edge, it can only get to the fuel pump by a small hole at the bottom of the assembly. Some have speculated this hole is not large enough or the rubber stopper in it can get stuck and lead to a potential lean condition that would hurt mpg and be less than ideal in general. This is apparently the reasoning behind keeping above half tank when possible.
     
    Astom22[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. May 6, 2021 at 6:59 AM
    #432
    Fastestcolor

    Fastestcolor New Member

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    I’m a Toyota guy for sure but it’s just a poor design by Toyota. The percentage of unusable fuel in both the 38gal and the 26gal tank is absurd. I don’t necessarily mind the burn rate of the V8 but range is severely limited especially when towing and no one really tells you this before buying the truck. I have a 26gal truck that I tow a 8000lb boat with and it’s incredibly annoying. It’s almost reason to sell the thing.
     
  13. May 6, 2021 at 7:12 AM
    #433
    IndianaGeologist

    IndianaGeologist New Member

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    I agree it's poor engineering, but a tank upgrade to the 38 gal might be more cost effective than selling the truck. It still has a large reserve, but the additional capacity really extends the range.
     
    Bigboitundra likes this.
  14. May 6, 2021 at 7:26 AM
    #434
    Yota303

    Yota303 New Member

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    E8F191F1-BFF3-4B12-A44A-EAB640DAF302.jpg 18004C6C-4D74-4D84-94BD-BF988C803CE1.jpg I have the 30 gal tank on my ‘16 Crewmax and I have run it down past empty where it won’t even give me a DTE and filled up with 29 gal. Glad I’m not hauling the extra 8 gal of unusable fuel after reading this as I was wishing I had the 38 gal tank, especially on this last road trip from Colorado towing our travel trailer, Brutal head winds almost all the way through Montana, Idaho and into Washington I was filling up every 2-3 hours it was ridiculous but we made it and the Crewmax ran strong all the way through!
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2021
  15. May 6, 2021 at 7:34 AM
    #435
    Fastestcolor

    Fastestcolor New Member

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    30gal tank??
     
  16. May 6, 2021 at 7:37 AM
    #436
    Fastestcolor

    Fastestcolor New Member

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    Maybe so but it’s so dang irritating. And let’s not call it a reserve. Reserve is something you can burn into. This is flat out 20% unusable.
     
  17. May 6, 2021 at 7:44 AM
    #437
    Yota303

    Yota303 New Member

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    Pretty sure that’s what my owners manual says for fuel capacity on the Crewmax
     
  18. May 6, 2021 at 7:56 AM
    #438
    NHskier

    NHskier New Member

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    I wish I had seen this thread back when I test drove my truck. The dealer sent me out with 5 miles left on the range.

    At least they filled it when I bought it.
     
    IndianaGeologist likes this.
  19. May 6, 2021 at 7:57 AM
    #439
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Alberta, Canada
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    What makes you guys think the fuel is unusable? Just because the computer (very conservatively) says your distance to empty is 0?
     
    GODZILLA and Yota303 like this.
  20. May 6, 2021 at 8:26 AM
    #440
    Fastestcolor

    Fastestcolor New Member

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    OP said he stalled out in a nose low parking spot and put in 32gal.

    If the truck won’t start because it’s tilted and you don’t put in dang near tank capacity id call the difference unusable fuel
     
  21. May 6, 2021 at 9:08 AM
    #441
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    I've heard of other guys driving until they were able to put 37 gallons in. So which set of stories do you prefer to believe?
     
    IndianaGeologist likes this.
  22. May 6, 2021 at 9:28 AM
    #442
    IndianaGeologist

    IndianaGeologist New Member

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    I've also heard that running the tanks really low causes issues in this thread. So who knows. All I know is that I fill up when I get low and typically it takes 30 gallons and I'm ok with that.
     
  23. May 6, 2021 at 10:09 AM
    #443
    djhase

    djhase New Member

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    My 19 Tundra has a 38 gallon tank. When computer says 0 miles left it takes 30 gallons. I have not run it past 0 just don't see the need to. Seems wierd to leave 8 gallons in the tank but I suppose its to make sure the fuel pump has enough gas to cool it. My buddy has run his tundra past zero miles left and not run out of gas. He says he has about 100 miles once truck says its empty.
     
    IndianaGeologist likes this.
  24. May 6, 2021 at 10:40 AM
    #444
    Rodtheviking

    Rodtheviking New Member

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    2017 Limited Crew TRD, Ironman Pros with JBA uppers. Prinsu rack. RSI, RCI sliders
    After having the battery disconnected for a headlight install, she was near E at the time. Went to the station a couple days later for a fill and it took 35.3 gallons, previously it would go E and take 28..
     
    IndianaGeologist likes this.
  25. May 7, 2021 at 4:30 AM
    #445
    Jaypown

    Jaypown New Member

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    I could be wrong so someone feel free to correct me. Or validate me. But I thought the reserve size, or remaining left after gas light comes on has more to deal with range than it does gallons. 8 gallon reserve on our 38 gallon tanks would be similar to a 3-4 gallon range on a camry. If our lights came on with two gallons left, we'd have to refuel in 30 miles. Not a risk I want to take when travelling. That's assuming 15mpg on the tundra. Not towing mpgs.
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  26. May 7, 2021 at 5:03 AM
    #446
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    The light comes on a bit below 1/4 tank. That's not what people are whining about. They don't like that if they drive it until the truck says they have 0 miles range they still have approximately 6-8 gallons left in the tank.
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  27. May 7, 2021 at 5:33 AM
    #447
    Jaypown

    Jaypown New Member

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    In a perfect world, I personally would like to see the DTE to be dead on exact. It is what it is though. I'm not worrying too much about it personally. But I can see where it's annoying to some.
     
    IndianaGeologist likes this.
  28. May 7, 2021 at 5:54 AM
    #448
    1/68AR Ventre A Terra

    1/68AR Ventre A Terra New Member

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    In all my Chevy’s the yellow light would come on and at that point you had about 5 gallons left no matter the size of the tank. It is usable gas, we just don’t know how much is in there left as we get 10-13.5 mpg. Also, like all Toyota’s there is a vacuum on the system and when you take off your gas cap there is that rushing sound of air back in the tank. On my 4runner, if you run it down, it is a noticeable sound. Also on a 4runner, if your cap can’t make that seal, you will get a check engine light. I haven’t had this Tundra long enough to know if that happens or not, but I’m pretty sure you can run all 38 gallons out of the tank. Not going to find out though. I only run the m.p.h/distance on the tank display on my Tundra as I only use it for towing and the average mpg on this tank display is useless to me. I know it will be crap just like my Chevy’s which only got 10 mpg when towing.
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  29. May 7, 2021 at 7:13 AM
    #449
    Netmonkey

    Netmonkey Don't be a Dumbass

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    The 2016 tundra has either a 26 gallon or a 38 gallon tank. If you put 29 gallons into the tank, that means you have the 38 gallon tank. The 38 gallon tank does not have "8 gallons of unusable fuel." If you wanted to, you could burn the tank very close to dry. I have pumped 35 gallons into my tank. At that low of a fuel level, the truck was not sputtering or showing any signs of fuel starvation. I could have run the fuel down even farther. The distance to empty display and the MPG display are estimations.... they are not exact. If you want exact values, then you need to calculate your mileage by hand. That way, when the low fuel light comes on, you will know exactly how many miles that you have left in the tank. For me, when the low fuel light comes on, I have 8 gallons left in the tank. On the highway (unloaded), that means another 112 miles until empty (8 gallons X 14mpg). If I was towing a travel trailer, that would be 64 miles until empty (8 gallons x 8mpg).
     
  30. May 7, 2021 at 7:15 AM
    #450
    CurtisLemansky

    CurtisLemansky 5.7 or Die

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    Interesting. Does it take that every time now or just the one time?
     

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