Is it possible that my Lariat Hybrid has a 16.5 gallon gas tank?

[millertyme15]

Wasn't there an issue with gas tanks at some point? Leaking? Maybe that could have caused the change in tanks?? Capacity??

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[SoCalPaddy]

I have seen other reports here of hybrids taking over 16 gallons. I'm suspecting they installed the incorrect tank in some vehicles.

The hybrids have a different Pressurized tank.

 

[GPSMan]

It can be correct and be 16.5 gallons physical size at the same time.

The EcoBoost is advertised as 16.5 but people can pump in over 18 gallons.

So nothing is "wrong". The tanks are larger.

You can use 13.8 every week in the hybrid, leaving some reserve.

You can use 16.5 every week in the EB, leaving some reserve.

 

[Clive]

Interestingly, the difference between the potential tank sizes (16.5 - 13.8) is 2.7 gallons, which should be almost exactly 100 miles of use at the hybrid's 37mpg average. Could be that Ford quotes the 13.8 capacity, but provides another 100 miles of range past empty using a 16.5 gallon tank.

I am curious if the ecoboost tank is in fact larger though.

 

[GPSMan]

Interestingly, the difference between the potential tank sizes (16.5 - 13.8) is 2.7 gallons, which should be almost exactly 100 miles of use at the hybrid's 37mpg average. Could be that Ford quotes the 13.8 capacity, but provides another 100 miles of range past empty using a 16.5 gallon tank.

I am curious if the ecoboost tank is in fact larger though.

I think you were typing as I was typing. EB has about 2 gallons extra capacity also.

 

[fordtoughwait]

I'd like to sneak about a gallon of gas into my neighbors hybrid every night and then listen to his wide-eyed stories of 300 mpg! I have the eco, and his mpg is all he talks about!

 

[gte105u]

I'd like to sneak about a gallon of gas into my neighbors hybrid every night and then listen to his wide-eyed stories of 300 mpg! I have the eco, and his mpg is all he talks about!

I'd steal a gallon so the bragging stops. Then tell him they fixed a software glitch OTA and see his face drop when the thinks the bottom fell out.

Plus free gas!

 

[Darnon]

Wasn't there an issue with gas tanks at some point? Leaking? Maybe that could have caused the change in tanks?? Capacity??

That was due to the off-site company performing spray-in bedliner application drilling out the bed drain holes and hitting the gas tank which is directly under.

 

[GPSMan]

With all this speculation, lets summarize:

The computer range calculation uses 13.8 gallons as the standard. Your MPG x 13.8 = your range to zero.

Zero does NOT mean out of gas.

Fuel remains past MTE 0 but the amount can vary, so use it only in true emergencies.

The physical tank space is about 16.5 gallons because more than one driver has pumped in these many gallons at different pumps, in different states.

You can burn 13.8 gallons every time. If you wish. You won't run out and be stuck. The MTE 0 point has significant buffer built in.

You can fill with more than 13.8 gallons without "topping off". Topping off in the hybrid variant isn't really practical anyway with the capless filler system.

I have pumped 14.8 gallons to "first click". No one can say that is "toping off".

13.8 is a nominal, expected, engineered full fill up from MTE = 0. But this is an average number, not an absolute value. Some variation is normal, and should be expected.

 

[GPSMan]

It occurs to me (speculation) that the difference in published (13.8) and actual (16.5) may be MOSTLY about customer satisfaction, and customer complaint avoidance. Under promise, and over deliver = no complaints and no lawsuits.

I spent a lot if time in the Rav4 world.
It was the opposite.

Toyota published a 15 gallon tank size.
No one could re-fuel with more than 12.5 +/- and 1000's of people complained. Even filed suits.
Toyota relented and came out with an expensive recall program.

Makes sense now doesn't it?

In addition, the computed MPG calculation, we all know, can be a little off. 5% off would not be unusual.
Thus, to CYA wouldn't you want a fuel tank with AT LEAST 10% extra fuel than the computer thinks, and people would come to rely on?

 

[David F]

I'd like to sneak about a gallon of gas into my neighbors hybrid every night and then listen to his wide-eyed stories of 300 mpg! I have the eco, and his mpg is all he talks about!

Reminds me of that old episode of Gomer Pyle USMC where Sgt. Carter buys a used car and every night they sneak in an extra gallon of gas and a month later they start to remove a gallon every night.

 

[6591E7]

It occurs to me (speculation) that the difference in published (13.8) and actual (16.5) may be MOSTLY about customer satisfaction, and customer complaint avoidance. Under promise, and over deliver = no complaints and no lawsuits.

I spent a lot if time in the Rav4 world.
It was the opposite.

Toyota published a 15 gallon tank size.
No one could re-fuel with more than 12.5 +/- and 1000's of people complained. Even filed suits.
Toyota relented and came out with an expensive recall program.

Makes sense now doesn't it?

In addition, the computed MPG calculation, we all know, can be a little off. 5% off would not be unusual.
Thus, to CYA wouldn't you want a fuel tank with AT LEAST 10% extra fuel than the computer thinks, and people would come to rely on?

I believe this is the answer. My wife has a Rav4 Prime. Can't squeeze more than 12.5 in it. I've ran it down so low that the gas engine shut down and I went to the gas station in EV.

 

[2022 pushed behind 2023's]

Not the point.
No people tampering with "tabs" here.

The point is that they will be a reserve in the tank for air, if the air side has any sort of leak (say the tab on the VW's didn't make a good seal) then it will allow the tank to be overfilled.

Do you KNOW how a Maverick tank is exactly built?

If so, you should have responded with that. Otherwise, my point is valid.

Does it matter? If its a air leak in that system, hell yes! Maybe your Maverick spewing gas everywhere is "doesn't matter" to you.

 

[Canealis]

I have an XLT Hybrid and filled up for the first time at 10 miles to empty and said I put in 13.99 gallons. Seem accurate with the fuel reserve.

 

[MLowe05]

I've filled up 8 times now and even at 20 miles to E, my Lariat Hybrid has never held more than 14.6.

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