Toyota Tundra Forum

OK there was a thread in the new member area about mileage but I did not want to "steal" his thread.

I just finiished another tank of gas, this time I run it way down, after all I want to see whats in there. I had run about 370 miles when my nerves could not take it anymore. I calculated out 16.2 gallons on the fill-up and it only took 22.7 gallons of gas. Thats all fine except the light had been on for 34 miles and the range had been on 0 miles for 61 miles and I still had 5 gallons of gas in the tank.... that does not seem right. I am sure its a mental thing to keep us from running the tank low but isn't that excessive? Is it just me or is anyone else getting that type of info from the light and range? The Avg MPG was right on by the way as it said 16.1 mpg and the actual calculated was 16.17mpg pretty good!!!

I just can not see running 100 miles after the light comes on but I dont want to fill up every two days either...

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2007 Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x2
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I just found out something, a friend of my wife's husband just got off a one month tour with the Tundra. I had no idea he did that... Cool!!

Anyway, we only had a couple of minutes to talk but apparently they noticed the fuel gauge issue as well with all thier trucks but found it at about 4-5 gallons in the tank when the light came on. Anyway, he stated they got about 13mpg towing 6k lbs and 18 mpg at 80 mph, bath very good numbers. He said this was on several trucks but I did not have achance to get any more info. He stated they were all very pleased with the truck and its capabilities and had no problems at all with any trucks.

yeah, the fuel gauge thing. About six months ago, on a different forum, a Tundra basher started posting "problems with new Tundra design" threads. I think he (or they) were associated with Toyota competition myself.

Anyway, two reasons he constantly gave for NOT wasting your money on the new Tundra were:

1) Faulty Fuel Gauges
2) Steering Vibration Problems

Now that I own a new Tundra and have 1200 miles on it, I see exactly what he was talking about. And let me say, GET A LIFE! These are not "problems" or "defects in design" as this and other individuals portrayed them to be.

The fuel gauge is not faulty. It is merely a design that is different than we are used to. The manual evens says that it is not recomended to run the vehicle on a low tank. It's the whole fuel injection, don't run it out of gas thingy. It is simply a design that promotes a fill-up as soon as the tank gets "low".

As for steering vibration problems? No problems. As it turns out, the TRD has a little "truckier" ride than the non-TRD models, pure and simple.

I really think that Totota has finally got on the "big three" track with this truck. Of course time will tell, but so far, one old Chevy guy is extremely pleased to be a new member of the Toyota family.

Hello Dolly! (Isn't that what the commercial says?)

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2007 Tundra DC SR5 5.7L 4X4
TRD, Leather, Backup Cam, Tow
Blue Streak

Mods: Black Line-x bed, Husky Liner floor mats, Yota billet shifter, Flowmaster Super 40 muffler (dual in/dual out) with rear exit SS exhaust tips, Firestone Destination 285 65 18 MTs. Truxx 3-inch lift/level kit. Bushwacker pocket fender flares. 4-cleat Tundra deck rail kit. Westin bull bar.

I understand Toyotas thinking on the gauge but I think they went a bit to far. If the light came on with 4-5 gallons left and the range hit 0 with 2-3 gallons that would be sufficient. I think there will be several of us Tundra owners that drive with the light on and the gauge a 0 before we fill up. I woudl not call it a problem with the truck I just think they should have adjusted the gauge to a realistic number. I would hate to have to fill up twice a week just because the light comes on to early. Compared to the competion, 26.4 gallons is a small tank to begin with. I am very pleased with the Tundra, if thats the worst thing about the truck I will be Extrememly pleased. Design flaws a sometimes percieved... its what the end user sees as a problem even if it was intentional.

yep, it ain't a big deal. I see how it means a little more to you since you are rolling a lot more than me. I rarely go on long highway trips, so it's no problem to me. I fill up about every 3rd week.

Sounds like you have already adjusted to their gauge design though. Kind of thrillin to drive when comp says you are out of range huh?

I see you have the SR5 too. What I had to get used to is no daytime running lights. Then, if you manually turn on the headlights during the daytime, the clock and outside air temp dash is so dim it is difficult to read. I just don't drive during daytime with my lights on anymore.

I have adjusted, but its odd driving with the light on the range on 0 and the guage on E.... always been a bad combination to me. If I can make it 350-400 miles before a fill-up I should make it through a "normal" work week and a little playing around. Hopefully I wont push it to far.

Mine has daytime running lights on it, I kinda thought they all did because when I was looking for one I never saw one without that option. Its just the front parking lights running all the time.

no, DRL is now a stand alone option on all Tundra models. Kinda strange, but that's the way it now is. I have gotten used to it.

Sorry for resurrecting this thread, but thought this might be useful. In case someone is wondering about current design/function of fuel gauge.

This picture was taken about 5 highway miles after the "idiot" light came on just before filling the tank. I was able to put in 21.053 gallons at this point but I had to hit the pump trigger about 20 times more after it auto stopped pumping to make sure the tank was COMPLETELY full.
The extra trigger pulls put it at the 21.053. If you drive in areas that may not have gas stations every couple miles (U.P. & ALCAN come to mind), this is good info to know.

Oh yeah, standard 26gal tank and getting about 16.5mpg city, hwy is as yet to be determined.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Does anyone know if toyota can adjust the fuel light via computor?

I just returned from a fishing trip pulling my pontoon and acheived 9.5 mpg, 165 mile trip, thats darn good in my book. I stopped to fill up and the gauge was on th 1/8 mark and I squeezed only 18 gals into in. I think thats the most I've ever put in it.

The tundra makes it great while towing, I think the only time I felt it back there, was when I hit the brake a bit harder because of a arse in front of me.

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2007 Tundra DC 5.7 4X4 with very fast Radiant Red slapped on.
Custom painted engine cover(Godzilla)
One set chrome mannly truck nutz.
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American Aluminum low profile tool box, carpeted.
WetOkle Seat Covers.
Cherry Bomb Single Split Dual Exhaust.

I don't know the answer to your question, but for reference, with the needle on the 'E' line, you'll be able to put 21-22 gallons in. I've had the needle past the 'E' line (no part of the 'E' line was covered by the needle) and could still only put 24.5 gallons in.

The computer will say 0 miles at approximately 19 gallons, while the light comes on at approximately 16 gallons. The fuel pump is inside the tank, so I'm sure that's part of the reasoning in attempting to have the owner keep a decent amount of gas in the tank to keep it cool. Otherwise, it's just Toyota being overly cautious, and you'll get used to driving around with the light on a quarter of the time.

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2007 Toyota Tundra 4x4 DC SR5 5.7