Whats up with the gas tank capacity?

[97WhiteYukon]

So I thought it was 30 gallons. I looked it up once and it said 30.. Well about the time I got my Yukon I ran out of gas and had to push it to the gas station with the help of a couple friends, and when I filled it up, it only took 28 gallons. Also its kind of strange to me how when its full the needle is right on top of the "F" but when its really empty the needle is barely past the first orange mark before the "E". I was pretty close to running out again today and again it was just under 28 gallons I put it. Is it a lie or am I trippin?

 

[Trixxterr]

My 95 Tahoe only has 25 gallon tank. My 01 Tahoe has a 26~28 gallon tank. Full is way past the F, and the ONLY time I've run the 01 less than 1/4 tank it went all the way to the bottom of the E. And I was sweating bullets looking for a gas station.

So I dunno if your tripping or not. But 30 gal, seems reaching a bit. Maybe on an Yukon XL, or suburban.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

The GMT 400 4 door Tahoes and Yukons have 29.5 gallon tanks they claim 30 gallon tanks but thats not entirely true, However some could say that the amount of fuel in the rails and filters ect…. makes up the half gallon.

If you ever dropped one of these tanks you will notice that 2 gallons really wouldn't keep it running , the amount of space at the bottom of the tank has more surface area than 2 gallons can comfortably fill …. if that makes sense ?

 

[Goodinblack]

I dropped the tank on my 1996 4D Tahoe long time back.

All the fuel lines and the quick connects

Fun times.

 

[imi4tth3w]

supposedly mine has a 26 gallon tank. i fill her up at 1/4 tank as often as possible. its bad for your fuel pump to run the tank low. most i've ever put in is under 23 gal

 

[Beechwood]

I have been wondering about the true capacity as well. I just looked at my manual again ('99) and it says 30 gallons. When I fill it up the needle goes way past full. The farthest I ever ran it down, the needle was almost PAST the orange toward the E side. (I try not to run it that low either, its not good at all but I was having a day and didn't notice how low it was!!) When I did fill it up, it took only 25 gallons.

 

[_Dylan_]

What's up with you running a car that low on gas?

E means EMPTY, as in NO gas left.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

The tank is designed to leave a gallon or so void of air to compensate for expansion/contraction caused by temperature changes. If they allowed you to fill it tippy top there would be fuel burping out the filler neck on a hot summer day. Actually it would overflow into your Evap system destroying it and causing hard start/stall on purge.

 

[97WhiteYukon]

What's up with you running a car that low on gas?

E means EMPTY, as in NO gas left.

Yes I am aware of the lettering system on gas gauges. The first time was when I first got the truck, I didnt know exactly when it would run out and I figured since when the truck was full the needle was above the F that to be empty the needle would be below the E. I was on my way to the gas station to fill it up anyways when it ran out around the corner. It hasnt run out since then. I try to fill it up when it gets down to a quarter full but sometimes it gets a little lower. I never thought I would miss having a gas light until I got this truck. Not a big deal but its a little extra convenience.