Ok folks.
Ive driven my little blue 97 flare side(single cab, XLT) for a little over a year. Its got the little 2.3 and the 4spd w/OD.

One of my hobbies, and the highlights of my dull, boring life, is the fuel economy of my lil blue truck.

Once every two weeks, I look forward to the moment when I can fill 'er up, then go inside, proudly hand the cashier my hard earned money(myself...lol...i am a 17 year old fuel station attendant), print of a reciept,
then BREAK OUT THE ARITHEMETIC.

So my problem is.
I have been filling my truck up all summer, and it never holds no more than 13 gallons of fuel.
Ive even had it DEAD EMPTY,
and would NEVER hold any more.

But tonight before I closed the store, I pulled up to the pump,
unscrewed the cap, inserted nozzle,
and began fueling.

I then walked back inside to complete my nightly closing routine,
then minutes later I walked over to the register,
and started to pay for my fuel...and...suprise!!!!
18 gallons????
WHAT THE *@#&^$%@^+$!!!!
18 gallons???
Right away I thought it must have ran over,
so I went Ran out of the store,
Dropped down on all four,
and began feeling around on the cold hard ground.
Nothing.
The ground was dry.
Bone dry.
The side of ole blue was dry,
and underneath, twas dry as well.

Im not sure whats really going on here.

But could someone help me?

Do I have somekind of secret fuel reserve I never knew about?
I pumped 5 extra gallons tonight, that I never before have!
Thanks....
P.s.

Earlier today, I had run out of fuel.
recently I have been using the "Trip Odometer Fuel Gauge"
being that my fuel sending unit has went out.
Im confused

 

maybe someone came while you were not looking and filled up a 5 gallon gas container then stuck the pump back into your truck and left

 

your gas tank just doesn't just get 5 gallons bigger. go check the security cameras for the store. i'm sure you could see if someone stole 5 gallons from ya

 

There is a reason your never supposed to have an unattended vehicle pumping gas in a city ya know.. I bet some ho-hum bob stuck a 5 gal container and swiped it from ya.... and, he got away with it.

 

^^^ that or that gas pump is really screwing people

 

Your sending unit is out now, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been faulty. My guess is that it has been screwy in the past, and when you think the truck is on empty, it actually isn't.

I've always been told never to trust your gas gauge. ALWAYS use the trip meter.

Try this:

Get yourself a gas can and put ONE GALLON of gas in it. Make sure your truck is full and then run it completely, put the gallon in from the can, then head to the gas station.

 

I am pretty sure all std. cabs have the 16gal tank, and the super cabs have the 19.5gal tank. Something is fishy, you can't put 18gals into a 16gal tank (plus you'd have at least some gas still left in ther). Definitly check out those securtiy cams and see what is up...

 

I'm thinking your gas gauge has been incorrect the entire time. But if you put more then the tank will actually hold then obvioulsy somethings up. But if you were always putting 13 gallons in, on empty, then i think the gauge is wrong. I have a supercab and ive never put more then 15 gallons in, on empty. And as far as i know, they all have a 19 gallon tank.

 

reg cab short box = 16gal
xcab/short bed , reg cab long bed = 19.5

 

i say security cameras.

no way can you put 18 gallons in your truck.

 

thought it was 16.5 and then 19?

 

I think there is a package with a 19 gal tank and 19.5 gal tank. I have a 19.5.

In my 2000 ranger I put 21 gal in it one time when was running on fumes.

 

my xcab has a 21.5 gal tank..

 

i swore mine had a 16 galon tank, only when i run it completely dry i can fit 19 galons in and thats filling the neck completely up

 

according to the manual in my 94, the small tank is around 17.5 and the large is around 21.5

 

This is the most logical thing to do.
Thanks all for the input.
Sorry to bug yuns!
God Bless all,
Ill be sure to follow up to "Fill" you in on this crisis...lol.
Thanks!

 

my 93 stx has a 21 gallon

 

That would make sense because in my 2000 XLT I've never put more then 18.5 and I was cutting it close.

 

i got 18.1 in mine this morning and the low fuel light just came on. I always fill up the neck though. i like cruising range.

 

Funny, I'm **** about my gas milage too, and still have my 2003 and 2004 Ranger's gas milage.

My 2003 3.0l standard cab took 18 gallons once (that was the max) Average fillup was more like 13.3 gallons. 15.9MPG over the life of the vehicle.

My 2004 4.0l supercab once filled up with 18.5 gallons, but average is more like 16.1 gallons fillup. 16.6 MPG over lifetime.


I always try to run it a little past E.

 

it is not good to top your tank off or fill it up in the filler neck for two reasons...

1.The gas nozzle automatically clicks off when your gas tank is full. In areas of ozone nonattainment, gas station pumps are equipped with vapor recovery systems that feed back gas vapors into their tanks to prevent vapors from escaping into the air and contributing to air pollution. Any additional gas you try to pump into your tank may be drawn into the vapor line and fed back into the station’s storage tank

2. topping off your tank can result in raw fuel, instead of just vapors being drawn into the evap system and fouling out the charcoal canister

 

I've heard of some gas stations "re-calibrating" their flow gauges. You may have pumped the same amount into your truck and the gauge was just reading fast (whether it's on purpose or accidental). I'm not accusing anyone or anybody or anything, but it's possible. The only way to know for sure is pump gas into a measured container to ensure proper calibration.

I've noticed my fuel economy dropping recently, but it happens every winter (Ottawa, Canada...it's winter here). Cold weather, truck not tuned up, "winter fuel" all drop my fuel economy noticeably. I just try not to think of it.

 

Back when I pumped gas in high school we were always $50+ dollars over so the boss man bought us lunch and gave us a daily bonus. The bastard knew his pumps were off and took pride in the fact, so we just figured he should share the wealth.

 

I know, i just still do it anyway and havent tripped a code yet. Ive also been doing it each time for a few years now. Some cars seem more sensitive to it than others. My mom has an 02 Mustang that doesnt like going much past the first click at all. Itll throw a light if you get the least bit greedy. My Ranger will click, then hold 2.3 more gallons before being 'full'.

Its never thrown a light. The only time its ever thrown a light was when i used some seafoam once. other than that youd never know it had a light there at all.

 

Another data point.

I bought a 99 long bed standard cab last week and ran out of gas on Monday. Gauge said 1/8 tank. AAA guy put in 5 gallons and gauge showed almost 1/2. I drove 1 mile to Exxon and put in 17.5 gallons.