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When your fuel light comes on

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Tracker, Mar 17, 2016.

  1. Mar 17, 2016 at 11:42 PM
    #1
    Tracker

    Tracker [OP] New Member

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    I have a 38 gallon tank. I was heading home and the gas light came on. I went 26 miles to my gas station of choice and the truck took 32.1 gallons to top off. So my calculations is that when the light comes on I have 8 gallons in there x 13.4 mpg equals 107.2 miles to get to a gas station :)
     
    jewsNbrews and NewImprovedRon like this.
  2. Mar 18, 2016 at 1:31 AM
    #2
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Sounds about right Tracker.
     
  3. Mar 18, 2016 at 4:26 AM
    #3
    AMRE2ME2

    AMRE2ME2 New Member

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    Yep, I checked mine one time to see how much was left and it took 8 gal. too.
     
  4. Mar 18, 2016 at 6:03 AM
    #4
    shreveporttundra

    shreveporttundra New Member

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    I spent a bunch time with this when I bought my 2015. Called Toyota and everything. I was hitting (zero miles to empty) and only able to put in 21 gallons. I assume you have a 16 with the bigger tank. My 15 is supposed to have a 26.5 gallon tank. This is one of the only two problems I have with the Tundra. The other is storage in the back which i fixed with the ESP under seat storage for Crew max 14 or higher. Not enough for me to say it is not the BEST TRUCK with the best durability and reliability. I guess they just do not want you running out of gas. I have about 5.5 gallons left when mine gets to zero miles to empty. I reset my trip at zero (if I can remember) and stay safe with about a 12mpg calculation and know that I still have at least 60 miles left. I carried a spare tank for a while when I was experimenting with it, and I did run it out. It would just be easier if it was just correct and you really did have 20 miles to empty when it said 20 miles to empty.
     
    booniebees likes this.
  5. Mar 18, 2016 at 6:56 AM
    #5
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike Not A New Member

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    Check out this thread for more info on this.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/2016-tundra-w-38-gallon-gas-tank-question.3531/#post-63562

    Here's the TLDR version:

    They use the "38" and the "26" as selling points. The extra 5 gallons isn't supposed to be used because it keeps the pump submerged (this is so it doesn't fry, which manufacturers have had problems with). Hence why it gives you the 0 to empty and only lets you put 21 or 33 gallons in it. They do this on purpose to prevent pump failure, and also so they can advertise it to hold more fuel than you actually can use.
     
    jewsNbrews and NewImprovedRon like this.
  6. Mar 18, 2016 at 8:28 AM
    #6
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    And because there are too many drivers that don't monitor their gauges. Famous last words: "How long has that light been on?"
     
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  7. Mar 18, 2016 at 8:36 AM
    #7
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    I just never let my fuel get that low- ever.
     
  8. Mar 18, 2016 at 9:31 AM
    #8
    Relentless

    Relentless Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    I run past the fuel light/0 mi to empty every single tank. Most I've put in was 24.8gallons once, usually right around 21/22 gallons though. The lights comes on at about 20 gallons
     
  9. May 20, 2018 at 10:13 AM
    #9
    BuckWallace

    BuckWallace Ball don't lie.

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    Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I figured I'd keep this going rather than start a new one. Anyway, I may be going crazy, but I swear my low fuel light would come on at around 30 miles to empty. Lately it doesn't come on unless I let the "distance to empty" hit zero. Can anyone else confirm when the low fuel light should come on? I have a 2018 with the 38-gallon tank, BTW.
     
  10. May 20, 2018 at 1:59 PM
    #10
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    The level of fuel indicated by the gauge and the Distance to Empty are approximations. The Low Fuel Light illuminates to let you know that the vehicle is getting low on fuel, not that you have any precise amount of fuel remaining, just an approximation, a "heads-up Dude." type of thing.
     
    4x4_Angel and Toyotoholic like this.
  11. May 24, 2018 at 3:38 PM
    #11
    SCSPerformance

    SCSPerformance #teamstealth Vendor

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    On my 2005 Tacoma when the light comes, I figured there's still about 3gal. left in the tank. That's enough to safely drive 25-30 additional miles until i can fill up. With all the armor and 35s, I avg. around 12mpgs. 8gal is quote a bit left.
     
  12. May 24, 2018 at 5:34 PM
    #12
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    How hard is it to swap tanks out? One man job or need assistance? What's the procedure to do? Looking to put the 38 tank on my CM any info appappreciated
     
    4x4_Angel likes this.
  13. May 24, 2018 at 5:59 PM
    #13
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    I'm pretty sure that others have looked into this and the consensus is that it's cost prohibitive to swap in the Toyota tank. Aftermarket is said to be the way to go.
     
  14. May 24, 2018 at 6:30 PM
    #14
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    Yeah but im thinking that Transfer flow is way too much tank n gas for way I travel around IDK
     
  15. May 24, 2018 at 9:46 PM
    #15
    nk1794

    nk1794 Always torque to spec

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    You were brave. :thumbsup: I usually get to the pump before the light comes on.
     
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  16. May 28, 2018 at 10:19 AM
    #16
    Pinstripe

    Pinstripe New Member

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  17. Jul 15, 2018 at 6:21 AM
    #17
    metalmaniac

    metalmaniac New Member

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    My light comes when the range is at 3 miles. I have an 18 crewmax. My 14 tundra light would come on when my range was around 25. Kinda strange. We have an 18 double cab at work and it comes on at the 3 mile range as well
     
  18. Nov 7, 2018 at 6:32 AM
    #18
    Mikekoot

    Mikekoot New Member

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    Mines on the empty line but i don't have any low fuel warnings yet? I'm going to fill up after work today
     
  19. Jul 3, 2020 at 6:39 AM
    #19
    Rica25

    Rica25 Got Bam? IG ......@TNDRA08

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    My truck will not show the low fuel warning any more I have gone as low as 23 gallons and no warning are you guys having any similar issues?
     

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