Fuel tank capacity doesn't seem correct...

Probably a newbie question, but couldn't find and answer elsewhere.....

I have a 99' V6 xtracab automatic, that in theory has an 18 gallon tank. I just got it recently and filled it up for the second time. Both times, it was at the empty mark when I filled it and it only took 15 gallons filing it completely full. Is there really 3 gallons left in the tank after running it down to the "E" line?

Running a range of about 250 miles of city driving on 15 gallons of fuel both times.

Personal experience and insight is welcome!

 

I understand that there should be a reserve, just used to having 1 to 1.5 gallons of reserve versus 3.

 

It usually takes 15.8 gallons for me. I have put 17 gallons in it but I rode on the light for a while.

 

I put over 19 gallons in my taco.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/171377-just-made-impossible-milestone-w-pics.html

 

Last fill up I put in 17.5 gallons but I always fill up all the way to the top of the filler neck. I don't like running it till the light comes on that's how I killed the fuel pump in my lays car.

 

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

Mine is the same, right around 15 gallons... I have no fuel light however

 

Winner.

 

Fuel tank capacity is 17.5. I try to never go past 40 miles after the light comes on. But I'm not sure how far it could go.

 

It's very easy to determine. Fill up your tank completely. Drive until the light comes on and fill again. Calculate fuel mileage. Subtract the amount of gallons you filled from 17.5 to figure out how much gas is in the tank when the light comes on. Multiply fuel mileage by number of gallons left in the tank (leave some room for error).

 

http://youtu.be/TuEdU_lrtZk

 

My thing is to always start looking for gas when I get to the 1/4 mark on my gauge - I've gone to the "E" once... I usually put 12-13 gallons in ($47-$56) and when I did let it get to the "E" (because most of my drive to the cheaper gas was down a 7% grade coasting) I put in just over 15 gallons... I typically get 220-245 miles between fills and I fill it every 3-4 days (yes I rack the miles up). My driving is hwy/fwy but it's about 80 miles of commuting each day, going from sea level up to about 1400 feet daily...

 

What I do is I always put in exactly 10 gallons. I reset the odo everytime fuel the light comes on. It usually comes on between 175-185 miles.

But ya I see what you're saying, theoretically that's between 43.75 and 55.5 MPG (assuming 17.5-18.5 MPG and 2.5-3 gallons of reserve). I ran it to 40.5 last weekend. That's as far as I'd comfortably go.

 

Yes, there is about 3 gallons between the E line and an empty tank in your truck.

My '01 had a 20 gallon tank and my two 2nd gen. trucks have a 21 gallon (80 liter) tank. The light comes on with 4 gallons still in the tank and the E line is a gallon less.

 

I don't think you can get that kind of mileage.

 

when my gas gage is still around hovering above empty i'll fill it up and only get ~15 gallons in and mine is also the 18.xx tank size. so i'd say your truck is normal