4 Bangin, Fuel Sippin, Full Tank Challenge!

You didn't fill it up to confirm?

I've had the light come on a couple of times when I'm around 16.8, but it's usually 17+.
Never had it come on below 16.5.

 

Naw, didn't fill up.

We all know about when the light pops on, it was kind of a ballpark guesstimate.

Really on the 17+? Gotten very used to when my light pops on, it's been 16/17 gallons for my truck.

 

Ya, it's usually on by 17, but I've had a couple just above 17 or so where it hasn't come on, or has popped on just as I hit the driveway.

 

That 26.9 was my second best tank ever, and it was sightseeing on secondary/country roads with very little traffic at 50-55 mph on average. Perfect conditions for a good tank...

 

This is an early indication of a 25+ mpg tank:

 

My first tank over $60! On this truck anyways. Dumb $4.29 gas. 353.2 mi, 14.13 gal, 25.0 mpg. Needle was just about to touch 1/4 tank.

I can take that but I'm not gonna be seeing much in the 26-27 range until I quit this

 

It's interesting that your numbers/gauge positions are very similar to what I'm seeing. Validation.

 

Finally hit my first 25MPG tank at just shy of 440 miles...

 

341.5 mi, 12.418 gal = 27.5 mpg. More sight seeing on back roads, with a little interstate thrown in this time...ran a/c about a third of the time...I love this truck!

PS, Like many others here, I'm using the "let the pump shut off and then ease another full gallon in it" method of filling up.

 

I don't know how you guys are doing that.

I go first click, then "ease" two more clicks and I never get more than a couple of 10ths... no way in hell I'd get another gallon in, unless your pumps are super-high-speed like the truck stop Diesel pumps and it's splashing up the neck on you.

 

Rich,

When I fill up the pump is on the medium setting until the last few gallon are about to go in, then I set the handle on the slowest speed. After the first click, I let it sit for a count of five each time until it wont take any more than a few cents worth. I can usually get about 3/4 of a gallon more in, after 4 more clicks.

 

I wouldn't go more than 2 more clicks.
You aren't gaining a significant amount (literally 10 miles), and the risk to your evap system is high.

I even get nervous going 2 clicks.
I've been with people who have flooded the evap on motorcycles.
They cough and run horribly until it clears out... but on your Tacoma, it's more of a closed system and won't clear out on it's own. You'll get a CEL and need a new canister.

 

I ruined a canister on my 1988 Ram-50 in the early 90s and gave up the bad habit of topping up to the neck. Not worth it.

 

Ya... last time I filled to where I could see it in the neck was on my Duramax.

No evap system, so no problem...



But with a 55 gallon Titan Supertank, it really was kinda silly.

 

Relax guys, I never fill till I see fuel in the neck. The station I go to 95% of the time is on level ground and has a really sensitive shut off sensors. Just don't like going to the gas station, so I fill'er up.

 

Same here.

 

Did this on my way home from Bloomington IL. today. I filled up in Bloomington because the price was on average 45 cents a gallon cheeper. Drove I-55 all the way home staying around 65 mph and 2000 rpms. At one point the ultra guage indicated 29MPG before I exit the interstate and was caught at several lights.

 

Nice stretch Mike!! Those darned traffic lights can tarnish a fine run but it beats getting broadsided.

I'm with Rich - be careful not to mess up the evap system. It usually gets expensive chasing codes and if the canister goes on our trucks, expect a $300 bill. For a couple dollars' worth of fuel and 10 mile extended range, probably not worth the risk.

I've seen that various stations and angle at fueling can differ about a half gallon or so, but over a tank, the run rate isn't affected much. Normal variation so over the whole of your tracking your truck's FE, not noticeable.

Good luck on your FE challenges!

 

I wish I had a 5 speed. The ultra guage and odo were only off a tenth of a mile. Now I get to watch the MPG drop over the next 200 miles