Wrong size gas tank installed in my 2021 Tundra TRD SR5 crew max

I think I’m getting between 11 to 15 mpg’s. Which is normal in a tundra considering it’s a V-8. It’s not the mpg’s that I’m worried about, it’s the wrong size tank that was installed. I was sold the truck that was supposed to have a 38 gallon tank and now to confirm that I only have a 26 is mine boggling. Toyota is in big trouble if you ask me, but no one wants to take responsibility for it.

 

I have a 38 gallon tank in my 2018. It is my opinion that they used the same fuel gauge sender from the 26 gallon tank in the 38. That is why when "empty" on the gauge and zero miles left, I can only put in 24-26 gallons. I ran one test where I let the light go on and drove several miles before I got gas. I had 9 gallons left and could have easily made it home. Range shows at fill-up in the mid 400s (depending on my driving habits) but the actual range is around 600 miles.

I think it is pretty lame that they have such inaccurate fuel gauges and sending units. They should be gas tank size specific.

Dan

 

I get around 400-410 miles with 38 gal tank until the empty tank light comes up. SR5 TRD Offroad with SR5 Upgrade package. Wife gets around 320 miles in her Sequoia with 24 gal tank.

 

I total agree!!!

 

So even with 9 gallons left at the least you’d still have say 90-100 miles left in the tank.

 

What's it say you're getting for gas mileage? 490 miles with a 24 gallon fill up is 20.41mpg. Said no 2.5 Gen ever.

 

I was responding to @Dawoofles comment above

 

Yes, correct. But it is a guessing game with inaccurate gauges and sending units. Very frustrating.

Dan

 

The way I learned to calculate your mpg is you take the total number of gallons you put in your vehicle divided by the number of miles that you drove the last time you filled up your tank if you reset it to zero. Not the total number of gallons you put in divided by the new reading, right? If my tundra were to get the 20 miles per gallon, that would be awesome for a V-8.

 

Using the display and the reported gallons to give an estimate of your case. If you hand calculate yours, and you only put 22 gallons in, I suspect you’ll only be traveling about 320-360 miles.

edit: the point is, your truck that was supposed to have a 38 gallon tank “thinks” it does. If you truly have the 26 gallon tank in yours instead, they need to put the right one in. You got robbed.

 

Yes, that is the correct method. The displayed range is just an estimate. I am 2wd and my measured highway mileage is in the 17-18 mpg consistently. Since I've retired and seldom hit the highway (mostly around town) my mileage has dropped to around 13-15 mpg. No worries as far as I'm concerned, driving the excellent Tundra is absolutely worth it in my view.

Dan

 

Nonsense. I can easily get 20mpg. Just drive uphill for 10 miles and kill the engine the 10 miles coasting back downhill. Easy!

 

This is a very entertaining discussion, I'm all for it!! OP you either have a 38 gal tank or dealership did the infamous 2.5L swap

 

Have you tried to contact Toyota Corporate regarding the wrong size tank being installed. Surely they can look at your VIN and determine which size should be in there. Then if it's the wrong one have them tell the dealer to fix it. Especially since the dealer confirmed its the smaller tank.

 

Yes, Toyota confirmed based off of my Vin that it should be a 38 gallon tank. However, they made me take it into the nearest dealer near me to verify if it is in fact a 26 or 38 and when I took it in this week. It was verify that it is in fact a 26 which is wrong.

 

Do you have a tape measure?

 

I really can’t tell and I don’t know if this picture and video can show you. Can you see the tank in either of these?



sorry, it won’t let me attach the video.

 

Yes. What do I measure?

 

The tank is on the left side of your picture with the black skid plate over it. Just measuring a rough length of it from one end to the other.

 

Is this a better picture?

 

Drivers or passengers side?

 

Drivers side

 

See if that black shield is close to 6 feet long. That is the 38 gallon.

 

That is a 38 gallon fuel tank.

 

+1

 

Lol.

 

I am floored that they "verified it was a 26 gallon".

 

I have a 2021 sr5 WITHOUT the sr5 upgrade package with a bench seat and 26 gallon tank.

SR5 trim comes standard with a 26 gallon unless you get the sr5 upgrade package which is what gives you the center console as well.

 

I wish I could get the last 10 minutes of my life back. This thread was worthless!

 

Also 3 gas tank straps is 38 gallon tank and 2 straps is 26 gallon