Gas tank only fitting 16 gal?

[dude1116]

So...first let me say that I'm new to this site...so yeah. Hi!

Second...

Is it strange that I've only ever been able to fill my gas tank to 16 gallons in my Jeep Liberty? Now it's not all THAT bad because I'm still getting about the estimated gas mileage. I can run her about 210-230 miles before she's near empty. But I would find it strange that I can only fit 16 gallons in it. I have nearly run it dry (the needle was pretty much touching "E") and I only fit like 15.8 gallons in it when filling it. Isn't the tank supposed to be a 19.5 gallon tank?

Confusing...the Jeep was used when I got it by the way...

Thanks for any help!

 

[eyehatetofu]

First off, it is a Jeep, not a car. Bad things happen when you confuse the two...

Second, welcome to the nuthouse. Lots of good peeps and info here.

Thirdly, that sounds about right. If you run it til it runs out of gas I bet you could put in somewhere near 19.5 gallons. The fuel light comes on with a few gallons left in the tank. I have the 20.5 gallon tank and the fuel light comes on when there is about 3 gallons left. I usually put in about 17 gallons right when the light comes on. So, it sounds like everything is operating normally.

 

[dude1116]

But my Jeepy only fills 16 when the gas tank is bone dry! Not when the light comes on. When the light comes on it fits about 14.

PS - If that Lib in your avatar is yours then it's nearly the same as mine ;D only mine's only a Sport trim :[ I painted the rims the graphite though.

 

[yosemite.kj]

If you want to get more range out of a tank of gas try finding a gas pump where the front end of the jeep is facing down hill when filling. I guess this allows more gas to fit in the tank when its tilted because of its design. I routinely go over 300, almost 400 miles between fill ups fitting between 17 and 20 gallons in my 20.5 gallon tank. I get 19 mpg average driving about 50 miles a day to work and back. Only problem, unless you go back to that same pump or one that puts the jeep at the same angle, it messes up your mpg math, if you do that sort of thing, which I do religiously. This is easy for me as I live in a two horse town with three gas stations.

2007 with 93,000, stock except:
1/2 inch clevis lift w/one extra rear upper iso on each side
245/70R16 hankook dynapro a/t tires

 

[Marlon_JB2]

What year is your Jeep, dude?

 

[LibertyTC]

And you can take you VIN # into a dealer. They will give you a print out of the Jeep's build sheet. The fuel tank size is listed on it.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

If it's an 02, it's an 18.5 gal, 03-04 it's a 19.5, if it's an 05-07, it's a 20.5....

 

[Marlon_JB2]

19.5 Gallon KJ tank was 2004 only. '02 and '03 shared the same 18.5 Gallon capacity.

 

[LibertyTC]

Doesn't seem to matter...On the long trail... better carry some Jerry's!

 

[WesChapman]

I have an 05 with the 20.5g tank. One night I forgot to fuel up before coming home, realized it the next morning, but refused to pay $4.85/g at the local station. Fuel light wasn't on, decided to go for it; 50 miles to civilization. Fuel light came on about the time I was passing the $4.85/g station, kept going, made it to my favorite station only to find my ATM card wouldn't read. (Costco-pay at pump only). Continued on to work, drove to bank @ lunch for new card, then back to Costco for gas after work. Fuel gauge pointer was below the E. Still only took 18.5g to fill the tank. I have no desire to completely run out to see if I can get 20.5 in there. I track my fuel usage in Automotive Wolf and was seeing 18.2 average mpg, but over the last 8 fill ups, mpg has climbed to 20. Not sure why, not complaining.

 

[LI02liberty]

This is weird. I have an 02 sport. Build date 10/01 and the manual says it has a capacity of 16.5. Huh?

 

[ridenby]

Build sheet from Chrysler states 18.5 for my early 02

 

[dude1116]

What year is your Jeep, dude?

It's a 2004 btw.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

It's a 2004 btw.

Yeah you've got the 19.5 Gallon tank alright. The fuel gauge on my '04 sucked too, that's likely what your REAL problem is. It's just horribly inaccurate. Maybe you have my old one? lol3.gif The fuel gauge on my '10 KK is NOTHING to play with however. When that gas light comes on, dangit you better be looking for a gas station now.

 

[tjkj2002]

The fuel gauge on my '04 sucked too, that's likely what your REAL problem is. It's just horribly inaccurate..

They are designed that way for a reason,so you do not run out of gas,which by the way is a good way to fry the fuel pump also.

 

[dude1116]

They are designed that way for a reason,so you do not run out of gas,which by the way is a good way to fry the fuel pump also.

Yeah you're right. I suppose it doesn't really matter all that much anyway. So I guess I can say that my fuel light goes on when about 4 gallons are left and I can call that problem solved

 

[rockymountain]

My '04 build sheet says 19.5. and if you ever forget what you have you can actually refer to the gas tank itself.

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This is what people plagued with high attention to detail suffer from. Noticing things like this.

...oh and I have 4 gallons left when my light turns on. I usually end up putting 16 gallons in when I fill. Anymore than that and I get nervous about getting the fuel pump too hot.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

I wonder if they increased the capacity of the tank but didn't bother to recalibrate or reprogram anything else?

This issue doesn't seem to affect any other model years...

 

[dude1116]

My '04 build sheet says 19.5. and if you ever forget what you have you can actually refer to the gas tank itself.

This is what people plagued with high attention to detail suffer from. Noticing things like this.

...oh and I have 4 gallons left when my light turns on. I usually end up putting 16 gallons in when I fill. Anymore than that and I get nervous about getting the fuel pump too hot.

HOLY CRAP! Never noticed that!

 

[yosemite.kj]

They are designed that way for a reason,so you do not run out of gas,which by the way is a good way to fry the fuel pump also.

No kidding, I have gone over 50 miles with the fuel light on, haven't ran out yet.
I would never do this intentionally, but it has happened.
Anyone ever notice how much longer the first half of the tank lasts, compared to the last half? I think it's a glass half empty sort of thing.