Fuel Gauge reading low?

[rowsign]

I purchased a 2016 Land Cruiser this past July from a dealer. Technically it was a "new" auto since it had never been titled; however, it had 13,000 miles on it when I bought it. Since then I have found a lot of great information on this forum!

My issue: When I get low on fuel, the warning light comes on with an indicated range of about 15 miles. The needle gauge is just above empty so both gauges seem in synch. This is where it gets interesting - If I fill it completely up the most fuel I have aver been able to get into the tank is 19.2 gallons, usually just over 18.5 ish. After reading through these forums it seems like maybe I have a bad fuel sending unit; however, it seems like most people with that problem were running out of fuel because the gauge was indicating too high. Mine seems to indicate too low.

I am thinking about taking it in to get fixed but wanted to confirm this is not normal. This rig is range limited enough that not accounting for the last 5 gallons (+/-) of gas starts getting me nervous about fuel the minute I leave the highway!

Thanks,

Row

 

[SQRRRL]

normal.

 

[Markuson]

I purchased a 2016 Land Cruiser this past July from a dealer. Technically it was a "new" auto since it had never been titled; however, it had 13,000 miles on it when I bought it. Since then I have found a lot of great information on this forum!

My issue: When I get low on fuel, the warning light comes on with an indicated range of about 15 miles. The needle gauge is just above empty so both gauges seem in synch. This is where it gets interesting - If I fill it completely up the most fuel I have aver been able to get into the tank is 19.2 gallons, usually just over 18.5 ish. After reading through these forums it seems like maybe I have a bad fuel sending unit; however, it seems like most people with that problem were running out of fuel because the gauge was indicating too high. Mine seems to indicate too low.

I am thinking about taking it in to get fixed but wanted to confirm this is not normal. This rig is range limited enough that not accounting for the last 5 gallons (+/-) of gas starts getting me nervous about fuel the minute I leave the highway!

Thanks,

Row

Absolutely normal.

The warning light comes on when you have somewhere in the vicinity of 4 to 5 gallons.

So your “range” as shown literally pretends you are at zero when you are far from it.
Perhaps this is Toyota’s recognition that MPG is so bad...it might take you 5 gallons before you get to a station...?

But anyway, there is nothing for you to fix except for your expectation that zero is really zero. In LC Land, it ain’t.

Proof:
I really pushed it waaaaaay beyond empty two different times where I was able to pump slightly more that it’s official 24.6 gallon capacity...so you’ve simply been filling your tank when it had 4-5 gallons still in there.

 

[rowsign]

Markuson and Sqrrrl, Thank you very much for the quick and thorough answers. I really appreciate it!

Row

 

[Dan Higgins]

Yep. I also have a 2016. Same thing. The most I have ever been able to put in the tank is able to put in the tank is 19.5. It is a bit disappointing because even though I likely have a few more gallons, I don't want to "gamble" when I am a long way from a gas station. The range is of course an estimate based on the past. I'm not sure how accurate it is and maybe Toyota is simply playing it safe in the case that their algorithms are off. But 5 gallons? Really?

 

[Markuson]

Yep. I also have a 2016. Same thing. The most I have ever been able to put in the tank is able to put in the tank is 19.5. It is a bit disappointing because even though I likely have a few more gallons, I don't want to "gamble" when I am a long way from a gas station. The range is of course an estimate based on the past. I'm not sure how accurate it is and maybe Toyota is simply playing it safe in the case that their algorithms are off. But 5 gallons? Really?

This “gamble Zone” is just one more thing that makes the LRA sub tank tank mod awesome. -It not only lets you refill on demand...but it lets you USE those last 4-5 gallons! I say my 24 gallon second tank is like having MORE than an extra main...since we all tend to treat our mains like 20 gallons.

 

[SteveP]

So i was thinking that since you know your fuel economy average (say .. 14 mpg), you can push the limit by calculate the miles that the 24.6 gallons that you should be able deliver?

For my case, I've been average about 14 mpg and with a 24.6 gal fuel tank. i could comfortable go for 300 miles before fill up (14X24.6 = 344). But then again, i live in the city and the farthest gas station is no more than 3-4 miles away.

 

[Dan Higgins]

This “gamble Zone” is just one more thing that makes the LRA sub tank tank mod awesome. -It not only lets you refill on demand...but it lets you USE those last 4-5 gallons! I say my 24 gallon second tank is like having MORE than an extra main...since we all tend to treat our mains like 20 gallons.

That actually has me thinking about the LRA some time in the next year. I would only do the 12.5 if I do it as I don’t want to have to relocate my spare. But even the 12.5 would give me the ability to confidently use all of the 24+ gallons in the main tank. I’m going to wait and see if I need to do anything with my rear springs (your old 2721s) after I strengthen the front springs when adding a bumper. If the front and rear are level after upgrading the front (I have a bit of rake now unless fully loaded in the back) and I’m hoping the spring change in the front will give me back an inch up there in which case I’ll keep the 2721s.). If I need to change the rears then I may have them do the LRA at the same time.

 

[Bendcruiser]

It's designed to not let you get too low on fuel. They want to keep the fuel pump submerged and running cooler.