Can not entirely fill fuel tank

I have a 2024 SR5 Supercrew Tundra that I bought in January. I noticed when refueling that I am only able to put in a little over 27 gallons in my 32.2 gallon fuel tank. I emailed Toyota inquiring if my vehicle indeed had a 32.2 gallon tank which they confirmed. They could not explain why I am unable to put in more than 27 gallons when on empty and suggested I take it to the dealer. Has anyone else had any issues like this? Is there something I am not aware of?

 

Welcome. Asked and answered. Do a search

 

Everyone has that same problem in most vehicles. You aren’t running the tank dry, you are using all of the usable portion of the tank. There’s some reserve built in to “cool the fuel pump” which is partially BS, but also so you don’t just run out of gas. Once your truck reads empty, keep driving till you run out of fuel completely, likely another 70 miles or so. Then fill up. Probably get 31.5-32 gallons in then.

 

There is about a 6 gallon reserve. If you want to fill up 30+ gallons you will need to drive 75-100 miles past empty and hope you don’t actually run out before getting to the gas station

 

Well discussed, and with varying opinions. But the gist of it is that “E” doesn’t mean “empty” to Toyota. “E” is when you’re tapping into the reserve (roughly). You also won’t see the low fuel light come on until the Distance to Empty reads about 20 miles left, although that varies as well, but it it’s not really the DTE. Page 516 of my ‘23 manual says that the low fuel light means 3.4 gallons. Most people see it closer to around 6 based on how much you can pump in the tank. I understand why they did it, but I don’t like it. “E” should mean empty, and in “all gone”, not somewhere between 3.4 and 6 gallons left. I expect my fuel gauge and the DTE to estimate the amount of fuel left in my tank, reserve included, and the miles ‘til it’s gone. I understand it’s an estimate. And if it hits “E” and strands me because I ignored it, tough shit. I was warned. My $0.02.

 

I believe it takes into account being on an incline like a steep drive or mountain road. Have to have enough in the tank to make contact with the pickup at all angles.

 

Welcome to the forum.
I ca olny get 21 gallons in my 26.5 gallon tank...

 

Thanks for all your replies. The does make some sense. But why does my Distance To Empty display read around 454 miles when I refuel? I'm currently averaging 16.4 miles to the gallon according to my dash display. So 16.4 miles to the gallon times a 32.2 gallon tank, my Distance To Empty display should read about 528 Distance To Empty when the tank is full. Or is this how Toyota designed the fuel/mileage?

 

Just saw the previous threads. I guess that answers my question. Thanks all!

 

Best answer yet!!!!! Society is no longer an average of 100 IQ, dumb down dumber

 

Read the thread…first tundra just bought…anyone help with this question -

If you don’t ever run the “tank dry” and leave that 5-6 gallon reserve…won’t that gas just sit there and go bad?!

Trying to grasp the concept of 0 miles left does not equal 0 miles left in a tundra gas tank.

or more like a funnel still but the sensor sits a “little higher” than the bottom of the funnel so to speak.

 

No

 

It's not in a separate, secret squirrel, compartment. It's in the same tank as the rest of the gas. As it is liquid, instead of stacking legos on top of each other, it mixes when you fill your tank, and also while sloshing around in the tank when you drive.

 

it doesn’t sit in the tank in layers - it all blends together…

If you run the tank down to the ~5 gallon reserve and put 27 gallons back into it, you now have ~15.6% “old gas” in there plus 84.4% “new gas” in there (theoretically at the second fill up). To simplify this math, let’s make that an even 20/80 split (6.2 gallons “old gas”).

Third fill-up, you have 20% of the tank left, of which only 20% is that nefarious “old gas” from the very first fill up. That’s 4% of the total tank volume (1.28 gallons). And there’s now 16% of the tank volume filled with that not-so-nefarious second-fill gas. And 80% brand new gas.

Fourth fill up. Same 20% left. Now we’re at 0.8% “really old original gas” (1/4 gallon), 3.2% gas from that second fill up, and 16% from the third fill up. And 80% brand new gas.

Repeat in perpetuity… fifth fill up you’ll have about 6oz (3/4 cup) of that original gas. And 26 oz (3 1/4 cup) of that second fill up. A gallon from that third fill up. And… you get the idea.

If you’re filling up less than once a month, maybe you’ll want to consider running ethanol free gas or adding a fuel stabilizer to the tank, but that also puts you in the camp of a small number of people that drive less and 5k miles a year and there’s a lot of other things to consider like the fact you need to do oil changes based on time since the last one rather than mileage.

 

lol

 

Is this thread for real? Really?

 

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that the 32.2 tank is an option you"re paying for but in reality your only able to use 27 gallons? Yeah I know you could run another 70-80 miles past empty but I'm sure if you ask Toyota they would not recommend it. I understand you need fuel in the tank to cool and lubricate the fuel pump, but 5 gallons!? Why couldn't Toyota put a small sump in the tank? It's kinda like false advertising to me.

 

Or you can look at it this way ... we haven't ridden in about a year and a half so I defueled 3 ATV's and 2 dirt bikes about 6 gallons total. Some with race gas, pump fuel, and two stroke mix. When my '93 Civic gets down to half tank I'm going to pour all that into her and go on my merry way.

 

no, it’s a fuel reserve for towing imo

false advertising ? No, the truck has the tank size they advertised

 

OMG, Toyota has to list how much fuel the TANK holds. Feel free to drive your truck until it quits, then fill it full & report results. The "useable" fuel is ridiculous. You'd really complain if it ran out before it was on E. I'd rather have the reserve built in than to think I'm on air as soon as the needle hits E.
Wow, my truck has only once been barely below 1/2 tank, I keep it topped off just for convenience, & when I see low fuel prices. I can't believe this is even an issue. The things people complain about Is beyond me.

 

I've got a 2022
115k miles atm
The few times my low fuel nanny barked at me, I could only fill 27-28 gallons also
I have the 32 gallon tank btw
(rarely go below half tank)

So I think you are fine OP

 

The low fuel warning is roughly 80-100 miles of fuel remaining before you need a gas can or tow, kinda excessive but better safe than sorry (my rough math based on average driving style, no big wheels or lift & flat roads)

 

Math nerd.

 

HEY!
I resemble that remark

 

Living dangerously (with my 38-gallon tank)