Refuelling a V6

[Snouto Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snouto]

Ok so I’m risking sounding like a total nugget with this question but here goes:

ive only had my 101000kms 2014 V6 Prado GXL for a little over a month. Today was the first time I needed to fill her up, with the remaining range shown as 100kms. I thought I’d get nearly a full 150litres in but in reality managed only 110litres with three clicks of the bower.
The new range is showing as about 850kms.

With this being a 150 litre tank why am I only getting 110 litres in and why is the range so low? I’m sure I’m doing some retarded, it’s almost like I need a switch to fill the second reserve tank or something.

[Atherton Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Atherton]

All the 150 fuel gauges seem to read low, I know with my diesel when the range says "0" I've literally got about 150kms left. The range estimation also varies how you drive it- so if you were in the city on the previous tank and then drive out onto the highway that range will change. I don't really know what's reasonable to expect from a petty 150, some of the other guys around here will no doubt be able to tell you, but I would have thought that 1000km wouldn't be too far off the money if you're on a long drive on a highway- Around town expect to see that number plummet.

[Brendos 150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brendos 150]

Ok so I’m risking sounding like a total nugget with this question but here goes:

ive only had my 101000kms 2014 V6 Prado GXL for a little over a month. Today was the first time I needed to fill her up, with the remaining range shown as 100kms. I thought I’d get nearly a full 150litres in but in reality managed only 110litres with three clicks of the bower.
The new range is showing as about 850kms.

With this being a 150 litre tank why am I only getting 110 litres in and why is the range so low? I’m sure I’m doing some retarded, it’s almost like I need a switch to fill the second reserve tank or something.

Basically Atherton is right on the money with all of his comments.

I can add that with my last Prado 150 V6 around town we would only get about 800-850 out of a tank. With that in mind I would drive it until it would say 0 klms to empty then fill up and only ever get around 130l in the tank before it would click out.

Absolutely loved my V6 150 but haven’t missed the 18-19l per 100 we would consistently achieve. (2” lift, 285 Tyres,roof rack etc) I’m sure a stock V6 would do better.

[rascal Member Find all posts View Profile Close rascal]

My 2013 is the same, Almost empty on the gauge, and only get just over 120L into the tank.
I don't fill the tank full very often as $200 fills aren't much fun, but next time it gets low, I might put 10L in a jerry can and keep driving until it runs out to see (a) how far it goes once it reads 0 and also (b) how many litres it takes from bone dry...

[SimonW Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SimonW]

The low fuel warning light is your friend in this situation. My SOP for last 14yrs of Prado ownership has been to run tank until light triggers on dash. I then hit trip meter and get to servo before i clock up 150km past "light on".
The light comes on with 22l remaining for the 150. 15 l remaining for 120 series.

The advantage of this technique is that you can calc how much fuel you need to pump to refill to 100% based on kms on trip meter when you get to servo. Example: 100km past low fuel light (ie 12l used) means 10l remaining and refuel of 140l. This is a necessity for the diesel that will often click off at the bowser with an 80% fuel load. In this case a short drive to the next servo lets everything settle and the final fuel load can be taken.

The low fuel light is remarkably accurate with respect to estimating fuel remaining. Despite the variables at play my estimate of fuel required at the bowser is consistently within 2l of actual.

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Not sure about the range, but the light coming on "early" is due to there being a 20L reserve of fuel. This is because the injectors use diesel for cooling.

[SimonW Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SimonW]

Yes, as above.

So Snouto, the point is don't worry about the gauge or the "distance to empty" the best measure of fuel remaining is the low fuel light. If you want to use the 150l tanks to their potential then don't refuel until the low fuel light comes on and count down your final 22l from then.

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Do not get close to running out of fuel. You'll fry your injectors. I personally wouldn't use up more than 10L past the low fuel light.
If you're after more range, get a long range tank installed.

[Snouto Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snouto]

Great input, thanks everyone, I'll certainly use the low light technique next time I'm due for a refill. With the amount of driving we do though it'll probably be another 2 months before that happens!