Gas tank completely empty when at the E line?

An update, today my E-LIGHT came on and I was 1/4 mile from the Costco... I topped it with 17.00 gallons... So far, my earlier reference points for the fuel gauge are right on...

But, considering small differences, heat affect on gasoline, how much to top off, etc...

+/- 0.5 gallon:

FULL TANK= 21 Gallons in tank
3/4 LINE = 16 Gallons (down 5 gallons)
1/2 LINE = 12 Gallons (down 9)
1/4 LINE = 8 Gallons (down 13)
E-LIGHT = 4 Gallons (down 17)
E LINE = 2.5 Gallons (down 18.5)

Multiply the gallons by your Tacoma's mileage to see if your fuel gauge needle responds the same by filling your tank when the needle is firmly over the various lines, or E-light activation point.

At 16 MPG your trip odometer will read:
FULL: 0.0
3/4: 80
1/2: 144
1/4: 208
LIGHT: 272
E LINE: 296
Empty: 336*
*This is an estimate, as I have not yet... nor ever plan to drive until the truck runs out! I suggest you never go below the E Line as well!!

 

I'm glad I checked this thread out - gives me a better sense of what the needle is really saying. (Already had a hunch when filling from the 1/4 mark took less than 2/3 the stated capacity. )

I really like this larger tank. 23+ mpg x 21 gallons = awesome long range!!

 

I never let my truck run below 1/4 tank remaining. You should theoretically fill it up at 1/2 tank. (This is a survivalist's theory: If sh*t hits the fan and you need to GTFO of Dodge, would you rather have a full tank or an almost empty tank?)

I work around large military diesel trucks all day, and have seen them stall out from lack of fuel all the time. It is a real pain in the rear to have to sit there and manually pump the fuel filters in order to re-prime the engine. I don't want to imagine how expensive it would be to have this done on my pick up. (Tow truck + maintenance)

 

Exactly! A true 1/4 tank of gas would be 5.5 gallons (1/4 of 21)... but add the 2.5 reserve amount that lives between the E LINE and an empty tank and you have the actual 8 gallons in there.

The true half tank is 10.5 gallons, but the 1/2 tank gauge amount is 12 gallons or 1.5 gallons extra at that point.

I would like to hear from more Taco (2nd Gen.) drivers who note the gallons going in when they top off right at the various gauge levels or E-Light...

Thank you!

 

Of course... do the 'near empty' trials only when you are near reliable gas stations and in good weather!

 

The literature for my truck says it has a 21 gallon tank.

 

Yes, it is an 80 liter tank (80 / 3.785 = 21.1 gallons)

+/- 0.5 gallon:

FULL TANK= 21 Gallons in tank
3/4 LINE = 16 Gallons (down 5 gallons)
1/2 LINE = 12 Gallons (down 9)
1/4 LINE = 8 Gallons (down 13)
E-LIGHT = 4 Gallons (down 17)
E LINE = 2.5 Gallons (down 18.5)

 

Hey guys,
I was wondering how on earth some of you get such great gas mileage? I'm in stop/go on the way to work each day, picking up kids, etc. I checked it out last week that I'm getting about 14.7mpg? What gives? My truck is not raised/modified and other than the Bridgestone Duellers (almost stock tire size), which can't be contributing that much extra weight or girth, I haven't the foggiest on how to get above this number. I'm not Andretti at the wheel either. Is there a program or other mods helping this out? I'm completely ENVIOUS!

 

I think my 23-27mpg has a lot to do with the 4-cylinder engine. (Also: lower single cab w/the puny tires, manual transmission and I'm on the freeway more.)

 

yep 4 miles when light comes on

 

I would expect you to do better since you are a 2WD... If I am doing only around town driving with very little freeway, then I get as low as 15-16 mpg (V-6, AUTO. 4WD, Double Cab). Once more highway miles are in the mix, the mileage goes up to 16-17. Pure highway gives me 17-19.

Check your air pressure... put them up to 32 psi.

 

Def a 2WD double-cab, pressure set at 32psi, but still lame-o on the gas mpg. Boyfriends 2010 Dodge Ram V8 embarrasingly gets same mpg on streets and even better hwy going down to 4cyl. If not for my Yoda love and pride, I might almost consider complimenting him on his mpg. I'm glad at least some of you out there do better than me. Surely, a V6 should perform better than an V8, fuel wise at least.

 

For the most part it depends on how you drive. Slow starts, coast whenever possible, keep momentum up, keep speed down (55-60 on the highway if you can manage that ).

 

I don't think I have got 22, but I have run it pretty close to the the limit before. I know I have got 21+.

 

Clean air filter?

New spark plugs?

Those and the air pressure are the biggest helpers... Slow starts for stops (hard for me to do that)... and under 70 mph (<2000 rpm) on the highway... Turn off engine while waiting to pick up kids at school... or long gas line waits, etc.

 

You actually need to pay attention to the fuel pump and write down you gallons and mileage at each fill up or partial. Note the gas gauge needle location when you top off to see if your gauge reads the same as mine.

The most I have ever put in was 18.5 gallons... that I can recall, over the past 10 years driving Tacomas.

 

K&N Air filter, probably due for a cleaning now.
Spark plugs? I'm at 55k...think its time?
Slower starts from stops, ugh...may be a culprit.

 

The big thing everyone makes it out to be is that when you run a tank dry, you get a higher concentration of particles and such that can clog your fuel filter, and MAYBE damage fuel pumps. Its a gas engine, if you run the pump dry, not much will go wrong, you are just severely limiting the longevity of your truck.