GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

GS Gas Tank

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-24-07, 09:53 AM
  #1  
TruPlaya26
Lexus Champion

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
TruPlaya26's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 2,379
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default GS Gas Tank

Does this happen on anyone else's GS? When my tank is getting low I have the fuel light come on and I usually wait untill the needle goes all the way down and is almost below "E" before I go fill up. Now here's the thing, when I fill up the tank I've noticed that i've only pumped anywhere from 16 - 17 gallons of gas, I thought we had almost a 20 gallon tank (19.8 i believe) ... does this mean i still have an additional 2 gallons of gas remaining when the needle hits the bottom? or is my fuel light coming on too soon? Is my gas needle not accurate?

-I have an '01 GS430 btw ...
Old 09-24-07, 10:03 AM
  #2  
Saiji
Lexus Champion
 
Saiji's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ~626~ S.G.V
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hmmm I usually fill about the same and mine's full. But it did do that to me for a while though. It's working fine now, but sometimes my needles says I have half a tank still, and next minute it goes down to 1/4 tank in a matter of 10 seconds...
Old 09-24-07, 11:52 AM
  #3  
TruPlaya26
Lexus Champion

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
TruPlaya26's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 2,379
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Well mine has never changed that drastically, but when i do fill up it goes from empty to all the way above full. But it only takes 17 gallons max, why isn't my gas meter showing those last 2 - 3 gallons?
Old 09-24-07, 01:36 PM
  #4  
Saiji
Lexus Champion
 
Saiji's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ~626~ S.G.V
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I hope someone can chime in here, but usually when my car is on empty, and I fill it up, it only takes about 16 gallons.
Old 09-24-07, 01:41 PM
  #5  
DJ TANTRA
Lexus Test Driver
 
DJ TANTRA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Mine takes abt 16 as well.

I think there was a discussion about this before as well and there is some info on it on the manual as well

--but

the light usually comes on when there is a quarter tank left....I dont think the light means that there is a reserved being used...so even wen u hit slightly below E that doesnt mean ur compltely drained..there is still a 2 gallon reserve...possibly....

thats what im assuming..
Old 09-24-07, 03:32 PM
  #6  
excluesive
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (10)
 
excluesive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 4,563
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

well im glad because in my g35 it lets me fill over 17-18 gallons, so i end up paying 60 for a fillup. on the gs430, i usually can fill 15.5-16.5 so it feels like i dont spend as much on gas
Old 09-24-07, 09:00 PM
  #7  
JeffTsai
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
JeffTsai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DFW area TX
Posts: 5,392
Likes: 0
Received 43 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

The fuel gauge on our cars are a combination of the float meter and a "estimation" algorithm. The engine computer looks up the float level in the tank, then also takes your acceleration load into account to display the fuel level. It does this by monitoring how much fuel the injectors shoot into the engine. It's more of a "luxury" feature so your gauge needle won't bob around when you turn or hit dips.

It works accurately unless your car is modified(fuel system specifically). It doesn't work too well for me because my upgraded fuel system flows more than 3x of the stock system. It has left me stranded on the highway out of gas a few times due to an "incorrect estimation". The worst was the time I was cruising down the highway and according to the gauge, and I "thought" I still had half a tank left...apparently I didn't lol. Basically, when I accelerate hard...the engine computer doesn't know I'm consuming over 2-3x the stock amount of fuel. By the way, that's the fuel price you pay for 400hp+

Anyways, back to the original topic. The car will let you run down to empty and use up to about 19 gallons. This is basically driving till you stall out from no fuel. Don't ask me how I know . The fuel gauge is VERY conservative...usually when the gas light comes on, you still have about 5 gallons left in the tank. There is no reserve tank, the light is basically just a very early warning to when your tank will run empty.
Old 09-24-07, 09:41 PM
  #8  
David1969
Pole Position
 
David1969's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'd never let my gas tank get that low of fear of having some crap clog 1 or more injectors. I always refill at 1/4 tank just to be safe. Can we use Seafoam on our cars? I've used it on my Cobra, but never thought about it on the Lex until now. Hmmm.... Has anyone ever tried Seafoam in their car?
Old 09-24-07, 09:48 PM
  #9  
GS FONZy
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (6)
 
GS FONZy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ca
Posts: 3,729
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

The needle does go below the E mark. Once the needle hits E, you have about 20 to 25 miles left before being empty, maybe more.

Last edited by GS FONZy; 09-25-07 at 05:47 PM.
Old 09-24-07, 11:36 PM
  #10  
JeffTsai
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
JeffTsai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DFW area TX
Posts: 5,392
Likes: 0
Received 43 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by GS FONZy
also, remember that the 300 has a smaller tank than the 4** and the needle does go below the E mark. Once the needle hits E, you have about 20 to 25 miles left before being empty, maybe more.
Actually no, both the cars have identical fuel tank capacity.
Old 09-25-07, 07:56 AM
  #11  
MurdaInc
Driver
 
MurdaInc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AZ
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

the most I've been able to pump in was a hair over 16 gallons...only getting like 270 to the tank...
Old 09-25-07, 08:35 AM
  #12  
TruPlaya26
Lexus Champion

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
TruPlaya26's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 2,379
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Damn thats good compared to me !! im getting around 225 to the tank avg. - 250 if im nice, and drive highway ALOT ...
Old 09-25-07, 09:02 AM
  #13  
mpsarmi
Driver
 
mpsarmi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ssaristo
it only takes about 16 gallons.
I'm getting about 16.5-16.9 to fill.
Old 09-25-07, 09:28 AM
  #14  
Oleg400
Advanced
iTrader: (7)
 
Oleg400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Corrupt IL
Posts: 675
Received 15 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Same here i fill up about 16-17 but when i do get the E light on i dont belive there is a reserve because the trip info( if u have nav) shows that i have about 12 more miles when the E light is on. Just what i know im not 100% if the trip info is right.
Old 09-25-07, 09:50 AM
  #15  
UZ214
Pole Position
 
UZ214's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: DE
Posts: 2,661
Received 221 Likes on 163 Posts
Default

when the light comes on, i fill up not more than and its always 15.9-16 gallons


Quick Reply: GS Gas Tank



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:29 PM.