Fuel Gauge Reading

I don't understand. Fuel guage says I need fuel I get some, divide miles travelled as reported by trip meter divide by gallons used. What is the point of comparing how many gallons per increment on the fuel guage that was designed only to meet the need to know when to get fuel?

 

This

It's really not that difficult

 

Exactly correct. You will never have a linear fuel level change.

 

based on markings
1/4 is 5 gallons
1/2 4 more
3/4 4 more
Light on at about 17 gallons.

 

Miles depends on fuel consumed and that depends on the model, engine, transmission, 2WD or 4WD (weight, friction).

What is in the tank per the gauge marks:

FULL TANK= 21 gallons
3/4 Line= 16 gallons (5 to fill)
1/2 Line= 12 gallons (9 to fill)
1/4 Line= 8 gallons (13 to fill)
Low Light= 4 gallons (17 to fill)
E Line= 3 gallons (18 to fill)

 

Don't mean to necro-post but I'm thinking of taking my new Taco back to the dealer to see if they can fix this problem. Once I get down to 3/4 on the gauge, it drops faster than Obamas approval rating after 0bummercare. Has Toyota come up with a solution for this yet? Is it worth taking to the dealer?
Thanks

 

No

 

Just a quick question. Is it normal that when I start my Tacoma it shows that I have a lot less gas then I remember having after my last drive. then it slowly goes up after I start driving?

 

I'd say not uncommon..my wife's 96 did that.

 

Thermal resistance has a bit to do with this. It is normal. My 97 does it, and almost every other vehicle I have ever owned does it. Also depending on if where you park is level when you start your truck. At the shop I park on a slight incline. When I start my truck it may show say 1/2 tank. Then when I pull out and start driving down a semi level road, the fuel level usually settles at an 1/8 tank higher.

 

While it's not the same thing exactly, my first car (79 Stang) would drop quick once I got to half a tank. That was due to me backing into something and denting the tank however.

 

I gave up caring about the MPG, I've already bought the truck (MPG decision) and a few extra bucks here or there on gas isn't going to break my wallet. If it needs gas, I put gas in it. Some months I may get 18 mpg, some weeks I may get 12 mpg, I don't know. In the end, it doesn't matter, and if I did, I should have never bought the truck.

 

Driving 40 years beyond my age I read 160-170 at half a tank. How are you guys averaging 20 mph? New spark plugs + air filter maybe?

Another fuel gauge related question - when the gas light is on.. and has been on for a couple days, what's the farthest you've gone before stopping for gas? I've had my 2011 v6 4.0 taco almost two months now and already put 4k miles on it but I haven't gone over 30 miles with the light on. When I went thirty miles it took 18.8 gallons to fill up so I'm sure I could've gone further. Anybody?

 

I fill up when the light comes on I might drive a few miles past but normal that's just what it takes me to get to a pump once it turns on. It may be a myth or an urban legend or something like that But I've herd that the reasoning for the light coming on at 17 gallons is to try and keep the fuel pump submerged and there for operating at a cooler temperature extending its life. Again could just be propaganda but who cares.

 

A little more than 150

 

Ah, I see. Well I definitely want to prolong fuel pump failure so I'll keep that in mind next time I think about stretching a tank of gas. Thanks for the info! (my fuzzy math shows anywhere from 50-80 miles on the light, 80 being @ steady <1500rpms lol)

 

I got 324 but noticed the tires had more PSI than they should have.

 

That is the truth. The fuel is the lubricant for the pump. Also dissipates the heat from the pump. Simple thermodynamics. Run the pump dry and it will cause a tiny bit of damage. The more and more it done, the more the damage increases.

 

In agreement with Tor here.

I never run the truck past 1/8th unless Im in a bad situation.... I also have a master tech friend who confirms and has replaced many a fuel pump due to people religiously trying to get every last cent out of each tank.