2016 LEXUS GX460 PREMIUM: Yesterday I filled up at RaceTrac, and it took about 30 - 40 minutes to fill up. I was about to commit homicide....or just suicide.
I'm assuming the tank was low and it was pulling fuel from the bottom of the tank??? Can't think of any other reason.

After about 1/2 hour of driving, the CHECK ENGINE/TRAC OFF lights illuminated. Steady "check engine" light and flashing "trac off."
I called dealership, they said check the gas cap (which I think they say for everything). Gas cap was re sealed and the light continued to stay on.

I'm wondering if this could be related to bad gas or sediment in the fuel from having to be pumped from so low??

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Any drivability issues? Best advice would be to scan for codes and report back.

 

no drive issues at all.

I've heard AutoZone will check codes???

 

yep, any auto parts store can scan codes for free.

 

Worked at a service based gas station for years before college. General rule ... if the pump rate is slow, change grade or go to a different station ... yes, you do not want to dredge the bottom of the underground storage tank ... that is the water and debris zone.

Also, if a tanker is on the premises filling the underground storage tanks ... go somewhere else ... their rate of fill churns up the water and debris sitting on the bottom of the underground storage tank.

Not suggesting this is causing your issue ... but water can cause drivability issues that can cause an error code ... so the drivability prompt in an earlier post is a good question. For me, I would siphon all fuel from the vehicle and use in my lawn mower ... then refill for peace of mind. The ultra slow fill and error code timing is too close to be a coincidence ... so why take any chances by continuing to drive with that questionable fuel.

 

2016 Gx460
The error codes I got at OReilly auto parts were P0171 and P0174.
Lexus service advisor said it should take 15 cycles of car turning on and off to reset......sounds fishy but OK, it was the service dept.
I think I will siphon gas.....I don't have a lawn mower or a place to store the gas so I'm wondering if an auto shop might do it

 

P0171/0174 code definition

System Too Lean (Bank 1 and 2)

What the P0171/0174 code means

The P0171/0174 OBD-II code means that, on the first bank of the engine, the fuel system is running weak or a vacuum leak exists near this side of the engine. A lean condition occurs when the engine either receives too little fuel or too much air.

What are the causes of the P0171/0174 code?

Causes of the P0171/0174 code may include:

• A faulty fuel pressure regulator
• A weak fuel pump
• A clogged fuel filter
• A faulty powertrain control module
• A vacuum leak
• Faulty injector(s)
• Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
• A faulty mass air flow sensor

 

I would get the codes cleared and check if it comes back at the next drive cycle.

 

... after draining the current fuel. Things do not typically happen by circumstance. 30-40 minutes to fill a 22-gallon tank ... and then this issue appears ...a potential red flag that needs to be eliminated as a factor (assuming the fuel filter is not restricted with debris). Hopefully the issue is excess water in the fuel.

 

My bet, based on what the OP said and what @dwh13 said above, is on clogged fuel filter.

 

... unfortunately the "fuel filter" is inside the fuel tank.

 

If you have the receipt you might want to contact the station and notify them. They might be responsible and should cover the cost of the repairs and a full tank of quality gas . It is ridiculous that after paying today's gas prices they pump sewage into your GX. I would also document the damages and might want to save a portion of what comes out of your tank.

 

... how does one prove a specific gas station caused the issue ... good luck with that argument.

When going to a restaurant ... it is said that the condition of the bathroom is an indication of the condition of the kitchen ... so if gross, one should maybe question the health standards of the whole establishment. Same applies to any business ... with hole-in-the-wall gas stations sometimes not maintaining their underground tanks ... or buying non-top-tier gas from questionable sources. All gas is not created equal ... so it's Chevron or Shell for me ... and only from stations that are clearly managed and maintained.

Sorry OP ... your described ultra slow fill rate should have caused you to abort.

 

This might work if the OP has the receipt from the gas station and receipt of the repair bill. It can't be a coincidence that you got gas from their station yesterday (or whenever) and on the same day you have gas-related problems with your car, and then the today (or whenever you get it checked) the mechanic bills you for something found in your fuel system (clogged filter, etc.)

 

... so assume the fuel pump is pulled and the filter is clogged ... an accumulation over time ? ... or from this one specific fill ? ... a futile argument.