Cruising range for 38 gal tank?

I have a 2018 Tundra CrewMax with the upgraded 38 gallon fuel tank. When I left the dealership with a full tank, the cruising range display on the MID was showing just under 600 miles to empty. However, ever since then when I fill up - I'm only getting in the range of 470-490 miles? I typically fill up before the fuel light comes on, but still doesn't make sense the huge difference in cruising range. I also only see the tank fill up to about 28-29 gallons...does the reserve go that far after the range hits 0?

Looking for input from others who have the 38-gal tank.

 

Mine consistently shows around 420 after a fill-up.

 

It is pretty high straight off the lot, but levels out to somewhere in the 400's until it knows the driving habits. Keep in mind there is something like 8-9 gallons left in the tank when the light comes on as well. There's a pretty good thread with people's experience if you search the forum; or someone will probably post it.

 

On average I get about 450 to a tank. A couple threads on this I believe, here’s mine.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/38-gallon-tank.6268/

 

Learnt my habits. Yesterday’s fill up read 460.

 

Thanks for the replies. Figured it was a learning system and adjusted after my average MPG leveled out, but wanted to be sure. Really wish we could get close to 600 miles per tank though. Good to know about the reserve capacity as well

 

Yep. Mine also started at 600 and being in CO settled at 420.

 

Anytime you remove the negative cable for awhile the "Distance to Empty" meter will reset and I think the computer automatically assumes you will average the best the truck would be capable of. Say, 17mpg or so. I've done it twice now and each time it goes back into the 600+ range and after about 5 tanks or so it goes back to my normal 450-475 to empty range. I run it from there down to 0 most of the time. Even going to actual "0" I only get 30-31.5 gallons back in depending on my driving. You would have to drive awhile on "0" where it switches to a "Low Fuel" display on the gauge to truly get near the said 38 gallons. By then the computer will be screaming at you.

My '11 with the 26 gallon tank was no different, it just carried less fuel. I typically only got 20 gallons back in on that truck when going to 0.

It's a 38 gallon "capacity" tank but not "usable" per se. Still, I'll take the 38 over the 26 gallon tank any day. I only got about 320 per tank with my old one.

 

It’s a good number 420

 

Mine read 416 every time, without fail

 

typically Toyota reserves 10% of the tank capacity as a reserve (across all models) that when the gauge show zero miles you have about maybe 45-60 miles to actual empty (across all models). but as a warning, I wouldn't run the fuel system completely dry as that may cause issues.

 

Absolutely don't rely on much of that "reserve" fuel. I've read all over this site that our Tundras fuel pump is in the tank and stays covered by that "reserve" fuel that's not registering on your gauge. It's some kinda by-design thing, and depleting that fuel could damage the pump. Sorry that's not scientific sounding; but wanted to quick caution you about any assumption that you can cruise on blithely after your gauge shows empty.

 

yeah forgot about that, the fuel pump is lubed by the fuel in the tank, that was the issue I think I was referring to. couldn't remember at the time.

 

I’ve read that’s it also for cooling issue to make sure the pumps stays submerged and runs cooler for longevity.

 

Mines about 440 mile range so far.

 

Thanks, yea I'm aware of fuel pump starvation issues if you run the tank too low. Just nice to know that there is a decent amount of range left once the display hits 0.

Yup the fuel in the tank keeps the pump lubricated and cool. If you continually run your tank low, it can lead to fuel pump starvation issues and burn out the pump prematurely.

 

I have also have this issue with my pick-up. Here is what I came up with. Please keep in mind these are my findings as it relates to my pick-up. When I left the dealership I too had a range on the order of 600 miles to empty. After a few fill ups it settled around 485. So recently I decided I was going to run it to empty (Scary thought for me) but I did go an additional 40 miles past where it said I only had 2 miles left (which it stayed at for whatever reason during this test), and it still did not empty. After running this experiment I was able to put and additional 3 gallons in the pick-up bring the total to 32 gallons. In conclusion 600/15.8 is equal to approximately 38 gallons. Where as 485/15.8 is approximately 30 gallons. I have tracked my fuel usage and despite the cluster saying I get 13.8 mpg I am actually getting 15.8 mpg. I know the tank to be 38 gallons, so I concluded that cluster is highly inaccurate, but in such a way that it will allow me to never completely run out of fuel so I am ok with it. I hope this helps.

 

Mine usually shows mid 500's DTE after I fill up the tank. Hasn't changed over the 3K miles I owned/drove the truck, my MPG average since new is about 18 (hand calculated).

 

Had my 18 since 20 NOV 17. Every time I fill, or top it off, the range is like 523 or something. I'll get a pic next time.

 

Gonna depend on you tank MPG, around town I get 420-450 pretty much all the time, but took a 500+ mile all interstate trip 2 weeks ago and avg MPG was 16.8 and had reset my trip on fill-up so around 520 on the tank and range still said about 60 miles.

 

The first few tanks have been disappointing - only getting 14-15 mpg avg. After viewing your thread, decided to make her thirsty - 521 miles on 29 gal for 17.9 mpg

Good girl!

 

Mine is negatively very optimistic. Low fuel light means i can pass about 6 more gas stations.

Then worry..

 

I hate my gas mileage but the tank far outlasts my bladder

 

I filled up this morning and it read 545 miles for the range.

I'm just over 4000 miles so I don' know how much learning it has left.

 

This!! When I travel, I fill up everytime I make a bathroom break.

 

What did you change to achieve a 17.9 MPG average up from 14.5, what is your driving style and conditions? I am glad to see somebody else besides me gets decent fuel mileage.

 

Nothing specific, have read other posts about a learning curve and/or “breaking the truck in”. Just hit the 2000 mile mark . . . . hoping that it keeps going on like this

Yes, I know that I didn’t buy it for the mpg but it doesn’t hurt

 

Mine always shows 414miles for range and that's running 37" tires on a 7" lift. But I did regear to 4.88s.

 

usually about 430 on 35's but then only holds 32 gallons when I fill up

 

With the 36 gallon tank It seems like for ever between fill ups.