36 Gallon Tank Reserve?

[krhdallas]

Just bought an XLT and having the same 29-30 gallon fill when DTE is ~20. I didn't run the test to prove any reserve, BUT when I bought it the DTE was zero at test and sales didn't even flinch. Said fire it up and lets see if you like it. I asked if we should head to service for gas and he said "nope". Drove around 15 mins on some access roads and city streets with DTE stuck on zero. Parked it and bought it. Sales handed it over full and I asked WTF was happening with DTE and he said it had reserve and he was comfortable it was fine for test.

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[Pedaldude]

I have filled up my 36 gallon tank twice and can confirm that it has a 5ish gallon reserve. Which at my current average mpg with the V8, works out to 70 miles of driving on empty. Even then, I still haven’t ran it much lower than a quarter tank.

A lot of people have complained on the previous generation trucks that their cars wouldn’t start parked on a slope with the 36 gallon tank, so it’s possible that the 5 gallon reserve is insurance against this and that the fuel pickup sump location and baffling are inadequate and this was Ford’s ‘fix’ just like their fix for Coyotes with oil consumption issues was a new dipstick.

Does anyone know what the reserve is on the other tanks available?

I might fill my jerry can and see next time that my tank is low. Though with my current average usage, 70 miles is a whole weeks worth of driving and right now my tank is nearly full.

 

[Knickell]

Burned through my first tankful that the dealer filled it up with, down to a 20 mile estimated distance to empty. $110.53 and 31.498 gallons of 93 octane later, it was full to the brim. Or as far as I was comfortable filling it up without over filling it and spilling gas on the paint, felt like it would over flow with just a few more drops if I kept packing it in. (I’ve got the 36 gallon tank size)

I have confirmed that the DTE readings are based off how the truck “learns you” and your anticipated driving habits. Was expecting to see a 700+ mile distance to empty range once I got back in from refinancing my house for a tank of gas! I was not too happy when I saw a reading of 450 miles to empty! In its defense, I have been driving it, ahem......, spiritedly, on more than a few occasions through that first tank. I’ve taken it much easier so far this tankful, and I’ve literally seen the DTE reading go UP as I’ve been driving because of the easier driving style, so it should even out to a more reasonable and expected range over the next few hundred miles.

 

[KBKEITH]

Burned through my first tankful that the dealer filled it up with, down to a 20 mile estimated distance to empty. $110.53 and 31.498 gallons of 93 octane later, it was full to the brim. Or as far as I was comfortable filling it up without over filling it and spilling gas on the paint, felt like it would over flow with just a few more drops if I kept packing it in. (I’ve got the 36 gallon tank size)

I have confirmed that the DTE readings are based off how the truck “learns you” and your anticipated driving habits. Was expecting to see a 700+ mile distance to empty range once I got back in from refinancing my house for a tank of gas! I was not too happy when I saw a reading of 450 miles to empty! In its defense, I have been driving it, ahem......, spiritedly, on more than a few occasions through that first tank. I’ve taken it much easier so far this tankful, and I’ve literally seen the DTE reading go UP as I’ve been driving because of the easier driving style, so it should even out to a more reasonable and expected range over the next few hundred miles.

Is this what you were hoping to see? ?

 

[Knickell]

Is this what you were hoping to see? ?

Oh yeah!! That’s the stuff! Saw 700+ DTE on all the test drive events I did regardless of engine.

 

[Stubblejumper]

I’ve noticed the same thing on mine. 36 gallon tank and the last few times I’ve filled up I had about 30 miles to empty and only put in about 28-29 gallons. I’d expect a few gallon “cushion” on the distance to empty but 5-6 gallons seems like a lot. My 2016 also had the 36 gallon tank and when I’d get down to 20 miles to empty I was putting in 32-33 gallons.

I wondered the same thing about whether it had a smaller tank the last time I filled up. I double checked the window sticker and it clearly says 36 gallon tank with the max tow package. I can’t imagine them putting in the wrong tank.

also, the MPG shown on the dash when I refilled was off by about 20% so I thought maybe I accidentally reset a trip meter. But, it’s cold now and I have a bunch of short trips and some remote starts and winter gas so I’m not expecting great mileage at the moment.

I was tempted to throw a 5 gallon can of gas in the back and run it dry to see how big the tank really was but not sure that is a good idea....

Do not run the tank empty, it could damage the fuel pump, which depends on the fuel for lubrication and cooling.

 

[Dinozero]

I’m getting the same results on my 36 gallon tank. I read somewhere that if you run it closer to actual empty the truck will start displaying a larger DTE each time as it learns to calibrate better.

Another reason for this could just be the huge variance in gas mileage these trucks are capable of getting. 6 gallons might seem like a lot but if you suddenly decide to drive like a maniac that could be used up in 60 miles.

 

[rikker]

The computer will quickly extrapolate the estimated miles remaining if you’re towing, driving 90mph or going around town in stop and go traffic. I don’t think the OP was towing or drag racing, so who knows, if under those conditions; the computer will still be ignoring the remaining five to six gallons.

on the 36 gallon tank we’re only talking 1/6th of a tank but for the 23 gallon tank it’s over 1/4 tank. That’s great for the absent minded or cautious but it’s not good if you want to know how much fuel you actually have left in your tank without having to fill all the way up.

Around town that extra five gallons might just be 30lbs of dead weight and a little extra security but on a cross country trip it’s going to be an unnecessary stop at a gas station that might be in an expensive or undesirable spot. Even worse, off-road, it might mean turning around when you don’t have to.

is there anybody who has had the 36 gallon tank in an earlier generation truck?

I had a 2015 EcoBoost w/36 gal tank and I drove it 40 miles past 0 miles to go, and it took 36.4 gallons to fill it back up.

 

[Knickell]

It really be like that most of the time...

 

[CaelebCandon]

I've driven my 36 gal tank to "empty" on the gauge numerous times and the most I've been able to fill up was 31.5 gal. I am guessing the gauge has a hefty reserve built in. shrug

 

[praveenperera]

Bit of an older video but this guy got almost 50 miles on empty:

 

[gwhitecpt]

I’ve noticed the same thing on mine. 36 gallon tank and the last few times I’ve filled up I had about 30 miles to empty and only put in about 28-29 gallons. I’d expect a few gallon “cushion” on the distance to empty but 5-6 gallons seems like a lot. My 2016 also had the 36 gallon tank and when I’d get down to 20 miles to empty I was putting in 32-33 gallons.

I wondered the same thing about whether it had a smaller tank the last time I filled up. I double checked the window sticker and it clearly says 36 gallon tank with the max tow package. I can’t imagine them putting in the wrong tank.

also, the MPG shown on the dash when I refilled was off by about 20% so I thought maybe I accidentally reset a trip meter. But, it’s cold now and I have a bunch of short trips and some remote starts and winter gas so I’m not expecting great mileage at the moment.

I was tempted to throw a 5 gallon can of gas in the back and run it dry to see how big the tank really was but not sure that is a good idea....

 

[gwhitecpt]

I've driven my 36 gal tank to "empty" on the gauge numerous times and the most I've been able to fill up was 31.5 gal. I am guessing the gauge has a hefty reserve built in. shrug

I just experienced the same issue. My local Ford dealership technician said there is a 5-gallon reserve on the 36-gallon tank. I have serious skepticism about that, these vehicles were manufactured during the COVID-19 shutdown when the manufactures were sending vehicles to dealerships without certain computer chips due to shortages, My thought is did they toss a smaller tank into our vehicles to put units on dealer lots? Sounds like a class-action lawsuit in the making

 

[Blue Spruce]

I just experienced the same issue. My local Ford dealership technician said there is a 5-gallon reserve on the 36-gallon tank. I have serious skepticism about that, these vehicles were manufactured during the COVID-19 shutdown when the manufactures were sending vehicles to dealerships without certain computer chips due to shortages, My thought is did they toss a smaller tank into our vehicles to put units on dealer lots? Sounds like a class-action lawsuit in the making

Mine was manufactured a year ago. Sure, some shortages back then. But, since I posted back in February I’ve had multiple trips when I’ve gotten over 700 miles on a tank and put in 32-33 gallons. unless the gas station is in on the conspiracy I’m pretty sure I have the big tank.

now, maybe you do have a small tank but how about running that thing dry before throwing out the conspiracy theory and proposing a class action lawsuit? or…. call an attorney and get that class action going.

 

[PhilK]

I have a new F-150 with 36 gallon gas tank. Could only get 26-27 gallons of fuel in when reading empty. Took it to the dealer for service and after checking computer, tank size and fuel pump, they say the reserve is actually that large, which in my case would be about 9 gallons (or 180 miles at 20 mpg). They admit it sounds ridiculous, but was evidently designed that way and there is nothing they can do to make the reserve smaller. I either have to fill up a lot more often, or try to figure out how far I can go in order to be able to fill up with 30 gallons so I can use the grocery store fuel perks (towing or not towing). What a hassle, Ford!

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