33 gallon tank and fuel gauge

[Jhawkdrvr1]

I know there are numerous threads about the 33 gallon tanks but don’t see anything pertaining to my situation. When my truck gets the low fuel light and indicates that I have approx 50 miles remaining, I am only able to put 28 gallons in the tank. Once full, the truck indicated that my range is approx 628 miles. It’s done this for three years. Yesterday, I intentionally ran it down to where it indicated that I only had 20 miles remaining. I was able to put 28.8 gallons in it and now it is indicating that my range is only 578 miles. Obviously, ram has a well documented problem with the fuel gauge accuracy and the 33 gallon tanks. But I’m not sure what changed with the range. Any ideas?

 

[knightro84]

Range is caluclated based on current/recent MPG. If you had been hooning around at the end of the tank and your recent average MPG was lower, your range after filling up would be lower. Generally when I've making my normal around town trips and fill up my range is anywhere in the 525 to 575 mile range. If I've just done a full highway trip on a tank, my range has been has high as 660 miles after refuling. The most I've ever been able to put in is 31.32 gallons and I remember I ran the range down to basically zero. If I fill up right when the light comes on I usually put anywhere between 28 and 29 gallons in depending on recent driving habis.

 

[Bubba1120]

I agree, after a combination of in town and some interstate driving, I fuel up a day or two after light comes on. I typically fuel up and it’s around the 26-28 gallon range. So if I have 5 or 6 gallons left and my on board computer shows 15 mpg, it’s pretty close to the 90 miles left to empty.

 

[CSPCRX]

If I fill mine up when the light is on, it’s taking about 30 gallons

 

[dajogejr]

These guys nailed it…
I typically drive 50/50 city/hwy.
Upon fill up I see 500ish miles left.

Couple months ago.. Took a long trip up north, 600 miles round trip where it was 95% highway, 75 to 80MPH, nice and easy. Went to fill up, it was over 600 miles to empty. Since then, it’s back to 500ish.

If my low fuel light is on, in two trucks, both 33 gallon, Hemi, one with 3.92, current with 3.21.
I’ve never stuffed more than 28 gallons in. Normally, it’s 26.
I see zero reason or benefit to run it any lower than that. But, It’s nice, in case it was an emergency… I know I have more miles to go without being on dead E.

 

[Jhawkdrvr1]

As a retired pilot, I find it to be very poor engineering to offer a 33 gallon tank and not calibrate the fuel quantity indicating system to reflect it.

 

[Bubba1120]

As a retired pilot, I find it to be very poor engineering to offer a 33 gallon tank and not calibrate the fuel quantity indicating system to reflect it.

I agree, as a civil engineer I feel they calculated to much of a factor of safety into it, or it’s a bad software issue.

 

[Quint]

I also agree. As a financial manager I think that this is low quality...

 

[dajogejr]

I also agree. As a male stripper, there are times when I’m rushing to the next gig…and I can’t afford to think I may come up short to the next show…when in fact I’m more than sufficient….

 

[CSPCRX]

I have to say I got a huge laugh out of these last few posts.

 

[Mountain Whiskey]

As a guy who reviews and corrects what the Civil engineers who work for me mess up, I can say that the guage is to try and dummy-proof things.

Think about what is being asked of a computer to figure. I have not measured the dimensions of my 33 gallon tank but it is pretty big. Let's go conservative and say it is 48"×12" (I would guess it to be larger). That leaves a bottom area of 576 inches. 230 cubic inches per gallon. That is less than a half inch of gas sloshing around per gallon. Just how accurate does anyone think a guage is?

 

[v8440]

I also agree. As a male stripper, there are times when I’m rushing to the next gig…and I can’t afford to think I may come up short to the next show…when in fact I’m more than sufficient….

Is your name Hugh Jass by any chance?

 

[Jhawkdrvr1]

Why is it that every online forum has become filled with a bunch of smartass remarks? The pilot reference was not about measuring penises and I’m sorry if some of you felt inadequate. The point was that, in aviation, the fuel quantity indicating systems and fuel low lights are calibrated often and are extremely accurate. Driving a $75k truck around with several gallons of immeasurable fuel onboard is ridiculous.

 

[swizlstik]

I never even have to think about this issue. I fill up via the gas gauge at 1/2 tank. I know it’s a mental thing but I’d rather hit the bank account for that versus a full tank.

 

[v8440]

Why is it that every online forum has become filled with a bunch of smartass remarks? The pilot reference was not about measuring penises and I’m sorry if some of you felt inadequate. The point was that, in aviation, the fuel quantity indicating systems and fuel low lights are calibrated often and are extremely accurate. Driving a $75k truck around with several gallons of immeasurable fuel onboard is ridiculous.

Yes, probably because airplanes fall out of the sky if fuel indications are far off. There's a point you were making there comparing aviation to regular automotive things, I just haven't figured out what it might be. Nobody was singling you out, some of us had a little fun. Hard work is great; hard work to be offended, not so much.

 

[dajogejr]

Why is it that every online forum has become filled with a bunch of smartass remarks? The pilot reference was not about measuring penises and I’m sorry if some of you felt inadequate. The point was that, in aviation, the fuel quantity indicating systems and fuel low lights are calibrated often and are extremely accurate. Driving a $75k truck around with several gallons of immeasurable fuel onboard is ridiculous.

As a professional I already covered it’s more than adequate.
Driving a 75K truck with several gallons of fuel immeasurable is ridiculous?

Wait till you find out the air pressure sensors are usually 1-2PSI off
Or the Speedometer is maybe 1MPH off

Tell you what, when it’s hot and sunny, I bet that outside ambient air temp gauge must really bake your noodle since it’s normally off by 10 to 20 degrees until you drive a bit.

Can you tell us the cost of said airplanes compared to trucks?
Can you tell us the number of planes made vs trucks?
And lastly…as another poster pointed out.. can you tell us the number of trucks that fell off the road when they ran out of fuel vs. those that fell out of the sky?

Maybe the ****pit is a little more suited for you…. Ease up a little Sally.

 

[Jmac509]

As a professional I already covered it’s more than adequate.
Driving a 75K truck with several gallons of fuel immeasurable is ridiculous?

Wait till you find out the air pressure sensors are usually 1-2PSI off
Or the Speedometer is maybe 1MPH off

Tell you what, when it’s hot and sunny, I bet that outside ambient air temp gauge must really bake your noodle since it’s normally off by 10 to 20 degrees until you drive a bit.

Can you tell us the cost of said airplanes compared to trucks?
Can you tell us the number of planes made vs trucks?
And lastly…as another poster pointed out.. can you tell us the number of trucks that fell off the road when they ran out of fuel vs. those that fell out of the sky?

Maybe the ****pit is a little more suited for you…. Ease up a little Sally.

Easy there dajogejr, some of us are driving 35k trucks.

 

[dajogejr]

Easy there dajogejr, some of us are driving 35k trucks.

LOL… and some are driving 83K trucks…or more
Point being…
Expecting a mass produced truck to have the same caliber or even the same ballpark, as a plane… is just silly.
Then to get undies in a wad over some fun, even sillier.

 

[Driver]

Not a stripper but am a pilot as well.

No skilled pilot uses any gas gauge, much less an analog gauge with a needle indicator to determine when an avgas or jetA tank is close to empty. It's way too dangerous, like are you reading the right or left side of the needle to guess the last few gallons? Your life and those of your passengers are on the line.

Skilled pilots calculate their full capacity and fuel burn per hour as displayed on the instrument panel to approximate range and remaining fuel, plus a reserve. Instruments can provide some of that.

When it comes to gauges they are all off. Some 10-20%. Better not use one for more than a rough idea.

I suggest all pilots and others get use to 5+ gal left when empty. Just accept that and life gets lots easier.

 

[v8440]

Not a stripper but am a pilot as well.

No skilled pilot uses any gas gauge, much less an analog gauge with a needle indicator to determine when an avgas or jetA tank is close to empty. It's way too dangerous, like are you reading the right or left side of the needle to guess the last few gallons? Your life and those of your passengers are on the line.

Skilled pilots calculate their full capacity and fuel burn per hour as displayed on the instrument panel to approximate range and remaining fuel, plus a reserve. Instruments can provide some of that.

When it comes to gauges they are all off. Some 10-20%. Better not use one for more than a rough idea.

I suggest all pilots and others get used to 5+ gal left when empty. Just accept that and life gets lots easier.

So, reading between the lines, the town crier above is either incompetent as a pilot or is a blowhard.