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How big is my gas tank?!

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by rfk757, May 27, 2018.

  1. May 27, 2018 at 6:54 PM
    #1
    rfk757

    rfk757 [OP] New Member

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    Rory
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    So I bought my Tundra back in January. I have put just over 10k on it, with a trip to Florida , just back from a visit to Dayton's Air Force Museum (wow!) and a few runs to New York.

    Generally I refuel it up at about 1/4 tank remaining, and don't really pay any attention to how much gas it actually takes...

    However I let the fuel run down to a 5 miles remaining indication as I was hanging around in my little town. Thought I would fill it when almost totally empty and see how I fared on mileage.

    So my tank was indicating totally empty, the low fuel light was on and the distance remaining was showing 5 miles remaining.

    I put in exactly 30.5 gallons. At this point I started to wonder what was going on, as my tank is supposed to (according to window sticker) hold 38 gallons.

    Any thoughts? Anyone with a similar story?

    Something is a bit off I would say.

    Thanks!
     
    Bucephalus and ColoradoTJ like this.
  2. May 27, 2018 at 6:58 PM
    #2
    mjgonz1

    mjgonz1 New Member

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    There has been a few threads on this topic, it seems that toyota has a few of the 38 gallons in reserve to ensure the fuel pump is submereged.
    The most I have filled up with on empty is 32 gallons
     
  3. May 27, 2018 at 7:19 PM
    #3
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    Yep, this. Your 2018 has a 38 gallon tank. That you get about 31 gallons use out of.
     
  4. May 27, 2018 at 10:44 PM
    #4
    Aron9000

    Aron9000 New Member

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    I was kind of wondering the same thing, as my new to me 2011 with the 4.6 V8, double cab, 4wd seems to have a tiny tank for a truck. Filled it up twice so far and it only takes like 21 or 22 gallons. My 1992 Lexus SC300 usually holds 19-20 when I fill it up lol. With that size tank, its about a 300 mile range on my Tundra.
     
    rfk757[OP] likes this.
  5. May 27, 2018 at 11:06 PM
    #5
    Yosemite_Fam

    Yosemite_Fam Enjoy Life!

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    I don't remember seeing the capacity on my window sticker, but I fill up my 2015 with 20-30 miles left to empty and I have never put more than 20 gallons. Is there a smaller tank than the 30+ gallon tank you guys are talking about? Would be nice to have a longer range when towing!
     
  6. May 27, 2018 at 11:09 PM
    #6
    4x4_Angel

    4x4_Angel Perfectly Imperfect Tomboy....TTC #132

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    You either have the 26 gallon or the 38 gallon tank.
     
    mjgonz1, rfk757[OP] and 15whtrd like this.
  7. May 28, 2018 at 12:45 AM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    A40491A5-4942-4E4E-A019-0E871F514C80.jpg
     
  8. May 28, 2018 at 3:23 AM
    #8
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    The 26 tank has a six gallon reserve. I would assume the 38 does too.
     
  9. May 28, 2018 at 3:28 AM
    #9
    Ted4311

    Ted4311 Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

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    A LOT... NEVER ENDS
    :rofl::rofl:
     
    307_TRD and ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] like this.
  10. May 28, 2018 at 3:45 AM
    #10
    tundraj

    tundraj New Member

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    So the line has been drawn. Who will drive it till empty then fill it up to see if it truly has a 38 gallon tank?
     
  11. May 28, 2018 at 3:49 AM
    #11
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    No one here because we don't want to kill the fuel pump. But many of us have taken it below zer0. There are a couple threads on this if you're curious. Guys have gone long distances after the guage says 0. But the stress factor gets pretty high.
     
  12. May 28, 2018 at 4:14 AM
    #12
    rfk757

    rfk757 [OP] New Member

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    This is very interesting and I am grateful for the responses. How much fuel must be absolutely permitted to be left in the tank to keep the pump covered? It would be helpful to know how much I can safely plan. Doubt I will ever be in a situation where I need that extra gas, but it is a little misleading to advertise a 38 gallon tank, with no caveat about how much you can really expect to have safely available.

    Rory
     
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  13. May 28, 2018 at 5:37 AM
    #13
    Steve6

    Steve6 New Member

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    As others have already mentioned, the 38 gallon tank provides about 32 gallons of useable fuel before the fuel gauge indicates empty and the range remaining indicates zero. There was another thread about the fuel tank capacity that contained a post from another member who said that his engine was shutting down when the truck was parked on an incline even though the tank had about six gallons of fuel in it.

    I don't recall seeing any of the previous threads indicating the actual range remaining after the gauge hits zero. Also, as others have mentioned, there is a minimum amount of fuel required to protect the fuel pump.
     
  14. May 28, 2018 at 5:46 AM
    #14
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I personally don't care to ever want to know the "range" left at Zero miles. I've only had my low gas warning on once and that was coming home from the dealer after I bought my truck. Cheapskates..
     
  15. May 28, 2018 at 5:51 AM
    #15
    computeruser6

    computeruser6 Gott Mit Uns

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    Toyota could install multiple precision level detectors that can compensate for pitch and roll and be more accurate but it would be very expensive for little gain. You could probably go on most truck forums and find similar questions.
     
  16. May 28, 2018 at 6:07 AM
    #16
    Yosemite_Fam

    Yosemite_Fam Enjoy Life!

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    Appreciate the feedback. When towing, I will carry an extra 5 gallon can, just in case. ;)
     
    ColoradoTJ, rfk757[OP] and 4x4_Angel like this.
  17. May 28, 2018 at 6:57 AM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Looks like we have a volunteer! Thanks J!!
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  18. May 28, 2018 at 7:33 AM
    #18
    Coolhardy

    Coolhardy New Member

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    I have tested 26gallon tank that way after installing Rotopax.
     
  19. May 28, 2018 at 7:52 AM
    #19
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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  20. May 28, 2018 at 7:53 AM
    #20
    tundraj

    tundraj New Member

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    mjgonz1 and ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] like this.
  21. May 28, 2018 at 8:16 AM
    #21
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    So this has been driving me nuts for a while now.

    It’s not the fuel pump being submerged that cools. The fuel going through the pump is performing the cooling.

    This here is the Tundra fuel pump that sits vertical in the tank, like most vehicles. 0EBD818A-1FE9-4231-8E6B-9F3732279E48.jpg
    Another view
    AD66AD24-1152-418D-B62B-27F5AB627148.jpg

    To fully submerge (and keep submerged) would take quite a bit of fuel. Here is the 26 gallon tank.

    121D06DB-1309-44B4-A577-324A6023F26B.jpg

    Here is a fuel pump housing with the fuel tank level sending unit.

    1F24C6C3-41FB-469E-B8AA-CD6F86295EB0.jpg

    I’m not sure why anyone wants to run the fuel down low every time, or lets say often. This is a really poor habit to be in, and I have seen plenty of times in traffic jams/accidents people running out of fuel because we sat there for 2-4 hours. The longest time I sat in traffic was on I-70E coming back from Moab. There was a accident involving a boat, camper and several vehicles. It was a mess. Due to the Sunday traffic volume, I sat in bumper to bumper traffic inching forward for almost 5 hours with my Jeep in tow. This sucked.

    You all should find it very nice that the engineers at Toyota plan ahead and try and help certain individuals that like to push the limit.

    GM doesn’t really have a “reserve”, so when the Navigation kicks on showing me where the closest gas station is, better get on it. My closest scare for running out of fuel was last year driving from North Dakota into South Dakota. I knew we should have filled up in Dickinson, ND. My wife even strongly suggested it, but hell, I had over a half tank left, what the hell does she know anyway? Winds picked up and dropped me down to just under 10 mpg. Some of our normal routes with fuel stations was on a detour and we were starting to sweat. By the time we found fuel, I put in 34.7 gallons in a 36 gallon system. That’s way to close for me while towing with my family.

    For the people that want longer ranges, you have many options:

    Jerry cans. This is by far the cheapest, but most likely the biggest pain in the ass.

    Larger fuel tank. This is by far the biggest convenience and cost. I helped install a 50 gallon tank in my friends F250 a few weeks ago. Damn that was easy and so beneficial. Not sure it was worth 1100.00, but I’m thinking so when towing 14k lbs.

    Tag tank.

    Here is a tank from Titan. 15 gallons, 400.00.
    C79CE985-B4AB-49E2-9AD6-37182735CCEB.jpg

    Plenty of options for people.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2018
    Saltyhero13, D4x4TRD, Sunnier and 5 others like this.
  22. May 28, 2018 at 10:13 AM
    #22
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    ^ awesome post
     
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  23. May 28, 2018 at 11:37 AM
    #23
    Steve6

    Steve6 New Member

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    Yes, great post TJ. The only thing that I have an issue with is the idea that Toyota is doing me a favor by not providing accurate information so that I can make my own informed decisions.

    I'm not one to push fuel to the limit; I usually refuel at just under half a tank on long trips and around a quarter of a tank when driving around town. I have the 38 gallon tank; I'm happy with it and I understand that there is somewhere around 6 gallons of unuseable fuel in the tank.

    I'd still like to know what the actual numbers are. I can also understand that some customers might be less than thrilled to learn that they paid extra for a 38 gallon tank that will only deliver around 32 gallons of fuel before 'empty'.
     
  24. May 28, 2018 at 11:48 AM
    #24
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Thank you.

    You guys can use the “6-8” gallons until the pump starts sucking air, I just wouldn’t want to be in that situation again.

    I can understand how frustrating it can be not knowing how far or how many gallons are left in the tank.

    Personally, I can’t go much more than 4-5 hours towing anyway, and it’s a good idea to get out and stretch anyway. Might as well stretch a fuel hose over to my truck as well. :D
     
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  25. May 28, 2018 at 12:11 PM
    #25
    Metro14536

    Metro14536 New Member

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  26. May 28, 2018 at 4:40 PM
    #26
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

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    I agree completely. I have been in situations where I am low on fuel, out in BFE and have no idea where the next gas station is. This was WAY before cell phones and GPS. Sometimes at night on a weekend. It is not a comfortable position to be in, let me tell you. It is worse on a motorcycle with limited fuel capacity and no options when you sputter to a stop.

    I recently ran out of fuel on my Yamaha FJR on a road that had no services for 86 miles (Highway 58 east from Highway 101 in California). I had two buddies with me so I had help. The engine started sputtering with no gas station in sight so I rocked slowly back and forth and slowed down to about 50mph. I nursed it along until we got to the main highway intersection. My tank is specified at 6.6 gallons and it took 6.528 gallons to fill it. Yes, I was on fumes.

    Dan
     
  27. Jun 11, 2019 at 1:59 PM
    #27
    Rbear

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    Great info on this
    I have the 26 gallon tank and I’m considering installing a 38 gallon if I can find one maybe at a junk yard
    Anyone done that?
    Transfer Flow makes a 46 gallon replacement tank and
    they are made in CA but.....
    legal in every state except CA?
    What the heck?
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2019
  28. Jun 11, 2019 at 2:17 PM
    #28
    TRDProLife

    TRDProLife LETS GO BLUES

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  29. Jun 11, 2019 at 2:25 PM
    #29
    kcaustin66

    kcaustin66 New Member

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    It is holds a few gallons, and it will get you most of the way. But you might need to stop a few times to fill up. :turtleride:
     
  30. Jun 11, 2019 at 2:28 PM
    #30
    Tun-D

    Tun-D New Member

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    I've been meaning to search this very topic ever since I filled up with 10 miles remaining a few months ago and didn't even get 30 gal in the tank. I've also noticed that my estimated distance remaining is getting lower and lower every time I fill up. Must be the 7 mile commute with two dozen stop lights and over sized tires:(

    Good info here - thanks.
     

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