hello all,

just bought a new 2011 f150 platinum. sticker says truck is fitted with a 36gallon fuel tank, but when i go to fill up its more like a 30gal fuel tank. fuel avg on readings are all based off 30 gallons instead of 36. i went to dealership, & they said they win send vin to ford & see what its fitted with. they think i'm crazy. anyone else have this issue or am i missing something??
please help!!! fyi.. when i did let low fuel light come on before re fueling, I filled up with 27-28 gals or so. please help friends

 

Well the VIN should show a 36 gal. tank if that's what the sticker shows, but that doesn't mean it has a 36 gal. tank. Only means it was SUPPOSED to have a 36 gal. tank. Mistakes happen and maybe a 30 gal. tank got in that place in line for that truck by mistake. They don't have a big stack of tanks that they turn around and pick the right one from for that truck. Each vehicle has the right parts pulled somewhere else and fed into the line at the right time for each vehicle. If the indication (by filling) is that it's a 30 gal. tank, continue to pursue it even if they say the VIN says 36 gal.

 

I think if you ordered a 36 gallon tank or thats what the truck was invoiced for the dealer(Ford) should fix it.

 

6 gallons reserve fuel? Seems like a lot but I suppose it could happen...
Ohh well it costs less to fill up...

 

Carry a couple of gallons of gas and intentionally run it dry. Thats the only way to know for sure I guess..

 

Look for the part number on the tank

 

Ya make sure you got what you paid for at least...Brand new truck that would be very frustrating.

 

thx for thx suggestions..i think I'm going to run it dry & find out as well. i will also look for the part number.. great idea...thx again

 

That's odd because I've never come close to putting 30 gallons in my truck. 26 or so a couple of times but never over that. You either have one size or the other, am I right?

 

According to your owners manual the 2011 trucks came standard with a 26 gallon tank and the 36 gallon tank was optional. Since you are filling your tank with approx. 27-28 gallons at refills then logic tells me you have a 36 gallon tank. Pages 417-418 in your manual for reference.

 

It is possible to put 36 gallons of fuel in the trucks with the 26 gallon tanks. It must be trickle filled so the gas fills up all the space meant for vapor and expansion. Very dangerous.

But, if you are filling at normal speed at the pump and are putting in 28-30 gallons, sounds like you have a 36 gallon tank and maybe your low fuel light is coming on early. Run it empty and find out.

 

6 gal reserve sounds reasonable considering the gas mileage you get in one of these. Well at least the way I drive

 

Won't running these dry burn up the fuel pump?

 

A few times no but consistently yes

 

When the low fuel light comes on in my 01 it will generally take about 20 gallons and I have a 25 gallon tank. A 5 or 6 gallon reserve is completely reasonable.

Also, the logic that, since you've filled your tank with more gas than the next smallest tank size, you have the correct tank is completely correct. Low fuel lights don't come on when the tank is empty thus why your truck isn't taking 36 gallons when you fill up.