Gas gauge / cruising range empty when 5-6 gallons still in tank?

[Grumvee]

Hi Mud!

I’m enjoying a new-to-me 2011 LX (a big upgrade from my 2008 4Runner).

I’ve noticed something interesting about the gas gauge and “Cruising Range” indicator on the dashboard. Both seem to indicate empty when there is actually about 5-6 gallons remaining in the tank (I think, anyway). Is that normal?

Personally I prefer a gauge that is honest and accurate . But as long as I know how to read it (i.e., "empty" = 5-6 gallons left), I suppose that works too.

Example 1:

• Gas gauge shows 2 tick marks (out of 20)
• Cruising range indicates 35 miles
• Which implies there is about 1.5 gallons left since MPG for current tank is 19.9
• But when I filled up, the tank accepted 17.2 gallons
• 24.5 capacity minus 17.2 gallons minus 1.5 = 5.8 gallons

Example 2:

• Gas gauge shows 1 tick mark (out of 20)
• Cruising range indicates 14 miles
• Which implies there is about 1 gallon left since MPG for current is 13.8
• But when I filled up, the tank accepted 18.5 gallons
• 24.5 capacity minus 18.5 gallons minus 1 = 5 gallons

Thx!

Grumvee

 

[DCOVIEL]

This is correct. Its a known fact that the cruising range hits zero but you have 4-5 gallons in the tank. I guess if you are out in the woods or driving in Low4 a lot, that extra fuel doesnt get you THAT far.

ive gotten used to it. On the other hand, Ive also ran out of gas 200 feet from the pump!

 

[tbisaacs]

I’ve never seen 19.9mpg. Impressive!

 

[Grumvee]

Ah! Oops, didn't know this was well-known. I didn't see it when I searched.

Should I delete to avoid clutter?

[@tbisaacs - I actually got better than 20 on one tank recently. We're doing a cross country trip. I hit 22MPG in the Midwest It's a stock 2011, but with some recent tune-up work: new spark plugs, air filter, PCV valve. ]

 

[LCtoLX]

I recently tried figuring out how much “buffer” there was in my 2018 LX when the range showed 0 miles and my rough calculations came up with about 2 gallons.

 

[cboyd]

The fuel pump in the 200 is cooled by some of the reserve fuel, as explained in other threads. So it sits in some of the 5 gals, but as some have mentioned you can use some of it. The risk is that the pump gets uncovered or you suck up som sediment.

I’ve pushed my range at 0 probably another puckery 25 miles, but don’t recommend it unless on flat terrain.

 

[bloc]

The fuel pump sits in a "bucket" that stays full long after the level around it has dropped. Some manufacturers keep it full with a siphon action, others run the fuel pressure regulator return line back to the bucket.

End of the day, there is virtually no risk of the low-fuel pump cooling issues commonly brought up online with newer vehicles.

Toyota likely does this because they are conservative in general. Also, with the off-road capability as a major focus, some fuel remaining in the tank is good for any hill climbs or descents. The bucket idea alone would work for short hills, but long ones might not if the gauge said you had fuel left but it was only 2 gallons in a long/flat tank, all in the back corner.

 

[TeCKis300]

I did a distance to empty test awhile back, running the tank to engine stall. I was able to travel 45 additional miles after the counter saying 0.

45 (local) miles at a typical conservative ~11mpg for my modified vehicle, represents 4.09 gallons left after the trip computer says 0.

With 4.09 gallons reserve:
Best case for a stock vehicle on the highway @18mpg = 72 miles.
Worst case I've had towing/headwind/hill @8mpg = 32 miles.

Many owners of the 200-series tend to only look for gas when distance to empty is 0 or when the low gas light comes on.

More details here

500 Mile Range and Tank to Empty Test

513.9 miles to bone dry empty. With my larger 33” tires, the actual corrected driven range is 544 miles. To be clear, this range is with a recently installed LRA 12.5 gallon sub-tank. Roughly 70% highway, 30% local mix. I also did a test as I had an external fuel can with me. I ran my main...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[LCtoLX]

Great info coming in. Nice to learn about these things.

 

[LCtoLX]

I recently tried figuring out how much “buffer” there was in my 2018 LX when the range showed 0 miles and my rough calculations came up with about 2 gallons.

Filled up today when the displayed range was 3 miles. It took 22.04 gallons. So based on what my LX is telling me via its readings, I’ll presume that there’s a little more than 2 gallons in reserve when range = 0

 

[supercarrera]

I usually zero out one of the trip odometers when the gas light comes on to keep track of my mileage so that I don't completely run out.

 

[montegofd3s]

Yes, the range is off for everyone (or designed to leave you with some breathing room)....but tell us what voodoo magic you are you doing to get 19+mpg?!

 

[RT Cruiser]

I'm getting 19-22 mpg on the highway when not loaded. I live at higher altitude in CO which is part of it. Higher altitude means less air resistance. I try to keep the rpm's no higher than 1900 when cruising.

Yes, the computer range can scare you when the gas level is near the bottom if you don't know what's going on. Of course this topic has been hashed and re-hashed, scattered, covered, and smothered. I think it's wise to not let the tank go near the warning light if possible.

 

[Chewbacca]

I’ve never seen 19.9mpg. Impressive!

No kidding. I almost hit 16 once.

 

[Chewbacca]

I'm getting 19-22 mpg on the highway when not loaded. I live at higher altitude in CO which is part of it. Higher altitude means less air resistance. I try to keep the rpm's no higher than 1900 when cruising.

Yes, the computer range can scare you when the gas level is near the bottom if you don't know what's going on. Of course this topic has been hashed and re-hashed, scattered, covered, and smothered. I think it's wise to not let the tank go near the warning light if possible.

I'm also in CO. Drive to/from the mountains a lot. I've never sniffed anywhere close to what you're getting. But I have a heavy foot and like to drive fast.

 

[RT Cruiser]

I'm also in CO. Drive to/from the mountains a lot. I've never sniffed anywhere close to what you're getting. But I have a heavy foot and like to drive fast.

If you pass a salsa red '08 in the right lane going the speed limit, feel free to honk and wave

 

[REKCUT]

I have multiple toyotas with 4runner, fjcruiser, 80/100/200/ gx/ and tacoma that have all had about 5 gallons left on refill. You can look up the fuel capacity and see how much you put in to get a good idea of whats left. My 80 gauge will go past E line and the indicator will touch the middle line on the E and still run.

 

[DCOVIEL]

PSA to all: I have found the bottom of the tank in my '14 LC - and the needle wasn't too far past the E on the dash. If you hit the bottom leg of the E - start looking for a gas station.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I'm curious as to how the LC restarts when the tank has been filled after being run to "bone dry engine stall".
Does it start up immediately? Does it take lots of motor revs? Any sputtering?

 

[DCOVIEL]

In my case a single sputter crank and then the second crank fired it up. Zero issues since. I did add some injector cleaner just in case.