2008 FX4 Fuel Capacity

[enjr44]

The fuel tank capacity is listed as 19.5 gal. What is the actual useable fuel? The warning light comes on at around 16 gal.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I've never pushed mine far enough to tell you. I'm typically filling up well before the light comes on.

That said... the has come on a couple times and once I pushed it to get me to my exit. I put just over 17 gallons in.

 

[JohnnyO]

Warning light generally comes on when the range goes below 50 miles.

 

[sgtsandman]

My light comes on about 2 gallons from empty. So somewhere around 36-38 miles of lee way. I never intentionally push it.

As a guess, since I've never ran it until the engine quits or even came close, is some where around a gallon of fuel left, the pump will start cavitating and you'll be running on what's left in the fuel line.

 

[JohnnyO]

My light comes on about 2 gallons from empty. So somewhere around 36-38 miles of lee way. I never intentionally push it.

As a guess, since I've never ran it until the engine quits or even came close, is some where around a gallon of fuel left, the pump will start cavitating and you'll be running on what's left in the fuel line.

My 2020 officially holds 18 gallons but I've filled it up with as much as 19.2.

 

[JoshT]

The fuel tank capacity is listed as 19.5 gal. What is the actual useable fuel? The warning light comes on at around 16 gal.

Every vehicle could be different. Probably atleast 19 gallons usable.

Better question is what is the "reserve" after you hit enpty. AKA how far will it go on empty? Best way to find out is throw a gas can in the bed, let it hit E, then drive till it runs out. My 99 will do right at 30 miles after it hits empty, so about 2 gallons in reserve. Again every vehicle is probably different.

Better than my F-250 atleast. It doesn't have a reserve, it runs out at 1/4 tank. Something wrong with the sending unit in the tank, but since it's got a 26 gallon tank and will do better than 300 miles before hitting that point, I haven't bothered trying to fix it yet.

 

[00t444e]

Every vehicle could be different. Probably atleast 19 gallons usable.

Better question is what is the "reserve" after you hit enpty. AKA how far will it go on empty? Best way to find out is throw a gas can in the bed, let it hit E, then drive till it runs out. My 99 will do right at 30 miles after it hits empty, so about 2 gallons in reserve. Again every vehicle is probably different.

Better than my F-250 atleast. It doesn't have a reserve, it runs out at 1/4 tank. Something wrong with the sending unit in the tank, but since it's got a 26 gallon tank and will do better than 300 miles before hitting that point, I haven't bothered trying to fix it yet.

It won't go anywhere when its empty unless it's downhill or being towed.

 

[rubydist]

I ran mine down as far as I dared when I needed to change the fuel pump, and put about 18 in it after that. I was worried that it was going to run out by that point. 17 is about as far as I want to go, and usually I am putting 14-15 in during normal fill cycles. (Of course the new fuel pump died in short order, so then I got to change it again with the tank half full, that was not fun...)

 

[JoshT]

It won't go anywhere when its empty unless it's downhill or being towed.

True, but hits "E" empty and runs out empty can be two different things. Never know what might happen, so I like to know how far I can push it. Also that's why I said put a gas can in the bed, that way you can get back to the gas station after you run it out. Didn't think I needed to specify putting gas in the can before attempting this.

 

[RonD]

Also can depend on if the fuel pump assembly has been replaced
i.e. the float adjustment

Next time the light comes on fill it up
Subtract the gallons it took from 16.5(or 19.5) and you will know how many gallons were left
Then multiply that by your last MPG calculation and you will know how many miles you have left when the light comes on, if there are NO CORNERS, lol
3gal left X 18MPG = 54miles left to Empty

When fuel level is low and you go around a corner the fuel sloshes to one side and the fuel pump can suck in air, and that will cause engine to buck a bit as air instead of fuel comes out the injectors

 

[2011Supercab]

My 2011 supercab 4x4 with 4.0 and automatic, 19.5 gallon tank

I let the light come on all the time, one of these days it will burn out and I'll be screwed.

Light comes on as I'm leaving home, drive the 12 miles to work, 12 miles back home and fill up at the corner station by my house.

Tonight it took 15.7 gallons, so I had almost 4 gallons in tank, could have safely drove back and forth to work 1 more time.

So for me, I fill up anytime the light comes on, on my way home, might be anywhere from 13.5 gallons to 16 gallons to fill.

 

[G8orFord]

Better than my F-250 atleast. It doesn't have a reserve, it runs out at 1/4 tank. Something wrong with the sending unit in the tank, but since it's got a 26 gallon tank and will do better than 300 miles before hitting that point, I haven't bothered trying to fix it yet.

Most likely the pickup "foot" at the end of the tube. They are notorious for deteriorating and falling off. Leaves the tube about 2-3 inches above the bottom of the tank.

 

[pjtoledo]

on flat ground or going up a long hill???
I can envision a couple gallons of gas the pickup can't get to if you're on an incline.

 

[00t444e]

True, but hits "E" empty and runs out empty can be two different things. Never know what might happen, so I like to know how far I can push it. Also that's why I said put a gas can in the bed, that way you can get back to the gas station after you run it out. Didn't think I needed to specify putting gas in the can before attempting this.

The guage on E means it's low, it's empty when it quits running, the gauge can show E when there is 3-4 gallons left.

 

[JoshT]

The guage on E means it's low, it's empty when it quits running, the gauge can show E when there is 3-4 gallons left.

No, the E on the gauge definitely means empty. If it meant low they would have put an L there. They actually put a low fuel warning light on newer vehicles (don't know about those Rangers) to warn when the fuel level is getting low bvecause people have a habit of ignoring their gauges. Will it keep running after hitting E, and is there some gas left in the tank? Sure, that's by design in most cases, but E on the gauge is what the OEM considers to be empty (at least with the original sender).

Most likely the pickup "foot" at the end of the tube. They are notorious for deteriorating and falling off. Leaves the tube about 2-3 inches above the bottom of the tank.

I am aware. My dad (the previous owner) also said that this happened to him before and there was a little rubber check valve on the sender that had come loose and was causing the issue. I'll get around to fixing it someday. Either fixing the check valve or doing the hutch & harpoon mods on the tank and sending unit. Hutch removes the in tank strainers and extends the pickup and return, harpoon modifies the vent in the filler neck allowing for a few extra gallons in the tank.

As long as I am aware of the problem, I can avoid driving below 1/4 tank and it isn't a pressing concern.