Fuel gauge shows empty, 1/4 tank left and dealer service?

I am new to the forum and hate to start this way but I need some help right away to deal with a dealer service department and Toyota. I appreciate any help.

I just got my new 2011 Double Cab TRD Off Road back from the shop. It was in for an incessant rattle in the area of the driver's side seat belt adjuster - right in my left just before my first week of driving the back roads around Bishop, CA and Minden/Tahoe, NV. Really stupid dealer service goof - nobody that knew the issue test drove the truck after they replaced the part they suspected rattled. That's not the real problem but it may be an example of what I may have to deal with.

I have filled my truck now only 6 times. Each time it took about 16 gallons and I logged about 250 to 275 a tank. I aparrently wasn't paying attention. Well the last tank went to just the end of the fuel gauge scale and it was on the light for a while. I filled up and it took only a little over 16 gallons. It hit me that no car just gets 275 miles a tank these day so looked at the manual and it says that it takes 21.1 gallons. That left approx. 5 gallons to go! Now at 15 miles a gllon that's 75 and up to 100 miles is possible - on empty!

The shop said that it was normal and that 3 gallons were to remain in reserve. It was 5 gallons left i said - what happened to the other 2? Don't they know math?

So is this normal? Do you all have to fill up at 16 gallons?

I would like to be able to take this to the dealer so if any of you can state what you feel is going on in terms the dealer (and Toyota) can work with it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Chum

 

I actually am always dumping in around 18 gallons per fill up. I drive a while with the light on and then hit the pumps. If I use 91 octane...I can get about 325 miles.

 

The light is suppose to come on when you have 3 gallon left, in a perfect world.

If you're on a slight incline or decline, it will skew the float and the light may come and go. Your truck may not be 100% level in the first place which may through the reading just slightly off.

I've had my light come on and fillup with only 16.XXX gallons. Once in a while, I may fit 17 gallons.

Also, for the fuel tank rating. That's questionable too. Your tank may theoretically hold 21 gallons. But in use, maybe only 19.5 gallons of fuel will fit in it due to the dimensions or whatever.

Either way, it's not a problem. Don't sweat it.

 

If I drive 100% free-way I have at least 4 gallons when the light comes on. In city/ mixed it is 3 gallons left when light comes on.

 

there is a thread around somewhere that shows a breakdown of what you have left at the marked increments. It is pretty accurate. At 1/4 tank you have lots of miles left.

 

Here you go:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/123883-gallons-tank-when-needle-1-4-line.html

 

Normal, not a problem. Would you rather be supprised when it ran out of gas? Mine does it at around 17 to 17.5 gal used.

 

i glance at my odometer when the light comes on, and note that i have 3-4 gallons left to go
usually refill in next 50 or so miles

 

When I fill up it typically takes 15 - 16 gallons and the light has yet to come on in my truck.

 

You have got to explain this one to me.

I constantly put in 17.5 gallons as the light comes on.

To the OP .... for a while I experienced a similar rattle at my left shoulder. I had forgotten about it until I read your post. Now that I think about it I haven't heard that (knock on wood) for some time. With the cooler weather returning we'll see.

 

My corolla light comes on at about 8.5-9 gallons down. At 10 down it is off the chart. It supposedly holds 13 gallons but the most I have ever pumped is around 10.5.

 

Gee folks... it ain't rocket science!

Some TWers have been recording how many gallons to fill a tank when they get gas at various gauge levels...

The 21 gallon tank has (+/- 0.5 gallon):

16 gallons at the 3/4 full gauge line (down 5 gallons)
12 gallons at the 1/2 full gauge line (down 9)
8 gallons at the 1/4 tank line. (down 13)
4 gallons at the E-LIGHT (down 17)
3 gallons at the E LINE (down 18)

E line to empty tank is 3 gallons ('reserve')