Fuel Capacity
- Thread starter lgop
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
This is not my experience. I'd take it to the shop.
I think they all do it including mine. The remaining gas is designed as a fuel reserve. Telling you the car is empty and get your butt to the gas station.
+1 on talking to the dealer.
If you do, I'd be interested in what you learn. I was planning on talking to them about this the next time I had mine in for service.
The warning light, the range indicator, as well as the 19 gallon fill (I usually get ~19.5 on mine) are the same on my 2010 LX570 as you describe. I'd agree this is likely Toyota setting a conservative reserve. Wonder if they had a problem with people hitting the "Safety Connect" button on roof and asking for roadside fills too often?
But 20% of the tank is too much. I wouldn't mind so much of the light and range indicator came on a bit early. But that the fuel guage reads empty with 5 gallons in the tank is annoying. The difference between 5 and 2 gallons is more important to me than the difference between 24.5 and 5.
The low fuel light coming on early is a typical Toyota truck/suv feature. If the vehicle is used at its capacity, the 5 gallons sitting in the tank will be gone very quicky. Just think how fast 5 gallons will be burned if your hauling 1000lbs and towing a 7000lbs trailer. Now do all that up a grade and see how fast you go through 5 gallons.
As far as I know, I don't think the instant MPG feature has anyway of knowing that there is a trailer in tow or 1000 lbs inside.
Hope this helps.
This isn't a one-off or new issue. I've had the same issue since day one with the truck. I've packed a gas can just in case, but have driven the truck for 75 miles after it told me I had 0 miles to empty and only then was able to pump 24 gallons. I have to admit, I chickened out before running out - didn't actually want to damage anything.
I've had the exact experience on trying to top off. Gas pump will usually knock off @ 19 gallons and i can sit there and take about 5-10 more minutes and litterly dribble in at least 1.75 to 2 (but never more than 3) more gallons, but it is a pain in the @$$ to do so......
There are 3 reasons for this (one combined issue):
1) Running out of gas on an EFI vehicle can cause severe damage.
2) Depending on the vehicle and the length of the LC's tank (it's 3-4 ft long), a slight angle can cause air in the system. Toyota has measured the angle of inclination as well as roll and determined that 5 gallons remaining will completely cover the fuel pickup / sending unit. With 2 gallons of gas remaining, on a level surface you would be fine, however at 30 deg. inclination you would not be. This can also be true under heavy braking or acceleration, even bouncing offroad (sloshing fuel in the tank).
3) An extra 5 gallons of "I can make it to the next station, dear" protection.
1) Running out of gas on an EFI vehicle can cause severe damage.
2) Depending on the vehicle and the length of the LC's tank (it's 3-4 ft long), a slight angle can cause air in the system. Toyota has measured the angle of inclination as well as roll and determined that 5 gallons remaining will completely cover the fuel pickup / sending unit. With 2 gallons of gas remaining, on a level surface you would be fine, however at 30 deg. inclination you would not be. This can also be true under heavy braking or acceleration, even bouncing offroad (sloshing fuel in the tank).
3) An extra 5 gallons of "I can make it to the next station, dear" protection.
Exactly, and with 7000lbs in tow, and 1000 inside, that 5 gallons become a 1 gallon make it to the gas station protection.
And there are land cruiser in some parts of the world without electronic display
