15.1 or 18 gallon tank?

Hello!
Saturday I bought a used 1997 4wd Tacoma. 4WD came in handy today. The miles are high 192K but I don't regret buying it yet. It took less than 15.5 gallons of gas to go from below" E" to above "F". Shouldn't it have an 18gal tank?

 

Welcome!

 

Yes it 18 gallons. That's what my manual says anyway. But my truck is the same way. With the needle setting right below the E bar I still have about 2 to 2.5 gallons left. I guess its kinda light a low fuel warning thing. That or it goes farther past E than you think. I'm not about Tod find out though.

 

I'm in a 2nd gen but, based on my charting, my fuel light comes on around 3 gallons.

 

Thanks!

 

Mine is a 2010, and mine trips right around 4 gallons left. It's a "safety" feature so you don't run out of fuel if you're not right near a gas station. I remember my wife's 96 going 40 or so miles on the light and not having an issue.

That said, ideally fill up right when it comes on. I never trust gas gauges, especially on an older model. My first car's gauge was way off as it got to a quarter tank due to a dent in the tank..I learned this the hard way.

 

What king of gas mileage should I expect? Also i would like to install cruse control. Suggestions? Kit? junkyard?

 

Driving back from Boston one night I went about 30 miles with the light on and the tank still only took about 18 gallons. So, that proves your thinking that it's got about 4 gallons left with the light on. At least on Gen2s, who knows about Gen1s.

 

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Powe...1997&make=Toyota&model=Tacoma 4WD&srchtyp=ymm