Fuel Tank size

My Tacoma is an "08" 4wd, MT. I thought I had read somewhere that it had a 21 gal tank. However, I filled up this morning and it only took about 13 gal. Makes me think it's actually a 19 gal tank. Can someone please enlighten me?

 

Its 21.1 gallons!

 

So is that normal for them to take 13 gal to fill up off a 1/4 tank?

 

x2 on 21.1 gallons. Sounds normal to me. You really can't rely on the gauge to judge exactly how much fuel is in the tank. It's more of a relative means to tell when you need to fuel up.

For example, when my low fuel light comes on, I have 4.5 gallons remaining in the tank. The gauge would have you believe it's running on fumes, where in reality you can drive almost an additional 100 miles before running out.

Given that information, I'd say 13 gallons from 1/4 tank on the gauge sounds normal. I've filled up from there before with similar results.

 

That's normal for me too. Tanks definitely close to 21 gallons. I've driven about 45 miles after the fuel light came on and I only took 19 gallons.

 

Ok thanks, Good info! Gas tank must be pyramid shaped. And in the future I'll keep in mind that the fuel gauge is more for entertainment value.

 

tank is 21.1, but as it is with a lot of newer cars, the fuel pump is inside the tank. the pump needs liquid around it to keep it cool, since it's not air cooled like older, external pumps. it takes roughly 4 gallons of fuel to submerge the pump for cooling. so while your tank holds 21, the empty light comes on closer to 17, so you don't burn up your pump over time.

 

I screen captured an old thread on here with some good info. I was skeptical at first, but as I got past the first few fill ups and hooked I my UG I verified the info.

 

Kbel, thanks for posting that screenshot. It actually explains a lot.

 

Thanks goes to the original OP (if that makes sense lol) @David K but I am happy to help.

 

Yes it does, but thanks for taking time to dig it out and post it. I know you didn't have to.
Before I had posted my question I had searched through but didn't really find anything to answer the question.

 

Yeah, only had my '15 for three weeks, filled up twice. First time 17 gal while showing empty, second time 13 gal with a quarter tank. Surprised by this, so I switched to using trip meter as fuel indicator, the way I do on my motorcycles.

 

I do the same thing on my motorcycle.

 

I think my list of fuel gauge = gallon levels is in my signature info... when you put your mouse over on the left in my posts?

Edit... oh, that was the previous format before Tacoma World changed to this one. Too bad.

The GAUGE (2nd Gen)
Full= 21 Gallons
3/4= 16
1/2= 12
1/4= 8
LIGHT ON= 4
E LINE= 3

 

For curiousity (and I didn't read every post so sorry if someone already said this). I have an ultraguage that I reset each time and that (obviously) estimates my total fuel left, or miles/gallons till empty. My light will generally turn on with around 4 gallons left in the tank and the one time I tested it I took it till it said a half gallon left, took 20 and a piece gallons to fill up

 

What is the ultraguage?

 

http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/

 

Thanks!