MPG/Gas Indicator Question...something wrong?

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sleepycruiser

sleepycruiser

I will get by….I will survive
Joined
Aug 20, 2016
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Location
Asheville, North Carolina
I just got the 100 this weekend and filled it all the way up on Sunday. I drove around 55 miles and noticed that I was 3/4 of a tank. So I thought maybe I hadn't filled it up all the way...so I topped it off and made sure it was full. Now I have gone 38 miles and same thing....already showing 3/4 of a tank. I drive like a grandpa and have been training myself with my Ultragauge that is in my 80 to maximize driving technique/mpg.

Is this normal with the 100 that it will just show 3/4 of a tank after minimal driving? How many miles out of a full tank should I expect? No way the gas mileage is that bad. I guess I could top it off again and figure it out. Just seems odd. I will probably get an Ultragauge for the 100 too. Thanks in advance.

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From experience (had my 04 for about 1.5 years, totally stock) it shouldn't drop that quick. After about 50 miles, my needle would be somewhere between the first two lines (going from memory). I just got back from a trip with the family and got about 380 miles to a tank on fairly flat interstate, 70mph with a cargo box on top and 2 adults 3 kids. When I filled up, it took about 22.5 gallons (25.4 gallon tank) – I could've gone a little further. I have a light foot as well. I average about 330 or so per tank on mixed highway and in town driving.
 
Our 100 series is an '01 LX...Fuel gages is relatively linear and definitely doesn't drop like a rock after ~ 40 miles. Tank capacity, iirc, is 26.4 gallons. Ours has 2 gallons available when the needle lines up with "E"...normally I fill before the truck uses that much fuel, but I was just curious.

Steve
 
I get about 75 miles to the 3/4 mark in city driving-

The best way to measure is fill to first click- drive 100 miles and refill to first click. Repeat to average.
 
Gas gauges are notoriously non-linear. Take you own suggestion to drive a complete tank and see what your gauge reads at each main interval: 50-100-150-200-250-300. Then you'll know how that particular one behaves.

Of course, if you run out of gas in only 160 miles, you'll know something is amiss!
 
May be there was an air bubble when you fill up. I always find a spot that has an incline to the front. Also pump gas slow to push out any air bubbles.
 
Mine, 04 LC 285/65/18 BFG, average about 50 miles to the 3/4 mark. 300 miles to E indicater light up. Very light foot, anything needs attention?
 
DAmn! I'm getting around 225-250 per tank around town. Filling up when it's at the "E" line. Time to change the plugs?
 
93yotasr5 said:
DAmn! I'm getting around 225-250 per tank around town. Filling up when it's at the "E" line. Time to change the plugs?
Click to expand...

That's right about where I am too on a tank of full city driving. I'm in an 06 with 295/70/18 tires and 240k miles
 
Large tire sizes (I know only about 285/65/18) brings the mileage down a bit. But what shows in the speedo meter is no longer correct, my unscientific calculations showed me its off by 6%, that is I need to add 6% to what meter showing. This is same to the speed gauge too.

14.5mpg is great given the size, weight, age of these trucks. I'm not worried about the mpg, but the range. I'm looking into rear bumper or roof rack so I can carry some extra fuel. Having those on rear bumper is handy but my DD car got rear ended 3 times within 6 years (Houston driving :)). So gas on rear bumper is not a good idea for me (given the luck I had so far). I'm not thinking of installing second tank tho.
 
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