32 Gal Fuel Tank not taking 32 Gal

[Riderone]

There is another thread on the forum that talks about the flash to correct the fuel gauge issue with the 32 gallon upgrade. It was allegedly included with a recall or upgrade to a totally different system. I think it may have something to do with activating"park sense"? I have park sense so it did not apply to my Laramie. Next time I am at the dealer I plan to ask about it.
A search on the site should turn up the thread I am referring to.

Mine was corrected when this recall was done a while back. Works correctly now

 

[bigcitymike]

You know that running it bone dry is bad for the fuel pump, right? The gas cools the pump.

For the Diesel's it lubricates them too. NEVER ever ever run a DIESEL bone dry, or risk paying 10K to fix that decision to pass up the last fuel station.

 

[Ron Basile]

I got the 32 gallon tank. When I fill up, which is usually close to a quarter tank, it takes right around 24 gallons to fill it

 

[Bob1313]

Long ago a close friend told me that it costs just as much to keep the top half full as the bottom half.
As a mechanic, both gasoline and diesel, with more years experience than most of you are old, I can state with certainty that running a fuel tank empty is bad. Cooling, air in system, picking up water and trash…its just plain bad. Same rule applies to almost every tank with a pump to move the contents.

 

[crash68]

Long ago a close friend told me that it costs just as much to keep the top half full as the bottom half.

I've always been baffled by the one saying a bigger fuel tank cost twice as much to drive but if you only stop half as much...

 

[62Blazer]

I'm not quite sure how big of a deal running the fuel tank empty really is regarding the whole fuel pump thing. From my experience working the automotive field and dealing with engineers from car companies I can say they are not going to design a fuel system that will fail if you run the tank low. From another perspective my wife almost never stops to get fuel until after the low fuel light has been on and has had two vehicles with 120k-130k on them when they were traded in. While liquids conduct heat better (will pull heat away from the pump), the liquid also needs to be flowing to do so. The cooling ability of stagnant liquid in a vessel is not that great as the liquid (gas) will just keep heating. I think the bigger issue with the pump is running it dry or the point is it not pulling the full volume of liquid and is starts cavitating (air bubbles) or run completely dry.

 

[JS4024]

Absolutely normal. Empty is not “bone dry”. It’s total tank volume (32 gallons) vs USABLE tank volume which is around 28 gallons. I have a 32 gallon tank but the most I ever put in is 28 gallons. I was riding on the below E for about 20 miles, not intentional just got stuck as I thought there was a closer gas station. When the computer says 0 miles left you still have between 4 and 6 gallons. If you didn’t have that “extra” volume if you went up or down a hill your pump might run dry and you stall out.

 

[marks146]

Assuming when you say "bone dry" that means the gas gauge is on E? I guess you could just put a 5 gallon gas can in the bed and keep driving the truck until it stops running. Fill it up with the 5 gallon can and drive to the nearest gas station and see how much more it takes to fill up.

On my '16 2500 6.4 truck the gas gauge seems to go to E and the low fuel light comes on pretty early. When I first got it I was sweating bullets on the first long trip hauling a trailer. The low fuel light came on when I was in the middle of nowhere and was afraid I was going to run out of gas. Drove at least 20 miles until I found a gas station and it only took 26 gallons to fill up the tank.

Same darn thing happened to me on a trip pulling the TT. I even pulled into a shopping center, unhooked the TT so I could fit into a local (non-truck stop) gas station to fill up. Low fuel light on sweating bullets. It topped off at 26.5 gallons. I could have gone another 30 miles easy.

Live and learn, but now I do carry 5 gallons of gas when we go on a trip. (just in case)

 

[Poncherello]

Don't run your tank down, the gas helps keep the fuel pump cool. All you have to do is run your tank down to the 1/2 mark and fill it up. If takes 16 gallons you a 32 gallon tank, if it only take 13 then you have 26 tank. I know for a fact my 16' 1500 has a 32 and a few times I ran it down, and the light came on when i filled it was 26 gallons.

 

[Taylor513]

Mine does the same thing, 32 gallon tank and the most I've ever put in it is 27-28 gallons when I was expected to put at least 30 for how low it showed. I'm not too worried about it. I think the biggest thing would be paying for the larger tank and never putting a full 30+ gallons in it. Not that we need to but simply because we paid for it so we want to see that justified at the pump. I've even filled it up, waited a few minutes for any air to escape and the fuel to settle and when I topped it off it was only .5-1.0 gallon extra. (I know to stop fueling once it has stopped, just wanted to see if that was the issue)

 

[bdc2]

I wish Ram would have called it what it is and called it a 30 gallon tank. I don't care what it holds I would rather them let you know how much of it is usable. I know I've run mine out once and put in some gas out of a can in the back, couldn't have been much more than a half a gallon
Went directly to the station and only got another 28 and a half gallons in it..

 

[Docwagon1776]

I think the biggest thing would be paying for the larger tank and never putting a full 30+ gallons in it. Not that we need to but simply because we paid for it so we want to see that justified at the pump.

I want an accurate gauge for two reasons.

1) Range is flexibility. In urban driving, who cares, another gas station is always a few miles away at most. Traveling in more rural environments or in unfamiliar locations that may not be the case. Having an accurate fuel gage is helpful in making an informed decision on if and when you need to stop. Driving through East St. Louis at night, do you risk the local stop-n-rob because your gas light is on? Driving in the plains states, do you have to stop in Podunk and pay Podunk prices?

2) "Fuel rewards". My grocery chain gives per-gallon discounts as you accumulate points based on grocery purchases. It is not a flat dollar amount off. I usually fill my truck at 1/2 tank when I don't use a points discount but once I accumulate enough points for 80 cents off a gallon, I want to get a lot of gallons. Again, an accurate fuel gauge is instrumental (by definition) in making the decision of balancing remaining range vs maximum discount.

 

[18CrewDually]

I want an accurate gauge for two reasons.

1) Range is flexibility. In urban driving, who cares, another gas station is always a few miles away at most. Traveling in more rural environments or in unfamiliar locations that may not be the case. Having an accurate fuel gage is helpful in making an informed decision on if and when you need to stop. Driving through East St. Louis at night, do you risk the local stop-n-rob because your gas light is on? Driving in the plains states, do you have to stop in Podunk and pay Podunk prices?

2) "Fuel rewards". My grocery chain gives per-gallon discounts as you accumulate points based on grocery purchases. It is not a flat dollar amount off. I usually fill my truck at 1/2 tank when I don't use a points discount but once I accumulate enough points for 80 cents off a gallon, I want to get a lot of gallons. Again, an accurate fuel gauge is instrumental (by definition) in making the decision of balancing remaining range vs maximum discount.

This is why I added a tool/fuel box and carry 90 gallons of reserve.

I just accept the fact that the gauge is a liar and don't depend on it. I'm in the same boat with alot of people it seems and with the warning light on and range down under 50 it will only take about 26 and if what I consider is pushing it, about 29 and it's full.

I didn't see it mentioned but what about recalibrating the gauge/sender using AlphaOBD?

 

[Taylor513]

I didn't see it mentioned but what about recalibrating the gauge/sender using AlphaOBD?

I have also wondered this as well, if there was a fix for it using AlphaOBD

 

[RamCares]

So i had an issue with my fuel gauge they replaced half my dashboard along with the sensor in the tank. after 2 weeks i still was having issues so they ended up replacing my full fuel pump. however ever since then i feel they set it to a 28 gal tank not the 32 gal i have. even when i try and run it bone dry i never get more than 27 gal's. before this i recall getting 30 in now and then. is there any way for me to test this or check it without having to pay the dealer 185 service charge for them to just reporgam it and lie and say nothing was wrong.

How do we get this done? Or what do we say at the dealer? I upgraded to the 32g on my driveway and the most I've put in was 28G and thats with the fuel light on for a good chunk.

I know there's a ton of threads on this, but my 2017 Ram 1500 came with the 32gal tank. I could run it 'till the low fuel warning came on and could barely squeeze 26gal into it. I never towed with it or anything so it was all good to have the reserve.

My truck goes in on the 28th for some minor warranty work. Small paint blister on lower front edge of hood. While I was at the dealership two days ago I brought up the Flash on the fuel tank and told the service manager what I knew in regards to the fuel calibration being shirt tailed onto the Park Sense flash. It is a small dealership and they have one Tech. who apparently is the electronic wizard in their shop. Service manager said they would have him research the fuel recalibration between now and the 28th and attend to it while the truck is in for the paint work.
I will report back on what develops after I get the truck back.

Mine does the same thing, 32 gallon tank and the most I've ever put in it is 27-28 gallons when I was expected to put at least 30 for how low it showed. I'm not too worried about it. I think the biggest thing would be paying for the larger tank and never putting a full 30+ gallons in it. Not that we need to but simply because we paid for it so we want to see that justified at the pump. I've even filled it up, waited a few minutes for any air to escape and the fuel to settle and when I topped it off it was only .5-1.0 gallon extra. (I know to stop fueling once it has stopped, just wanted to see if that was the issue)

Hello everyone, we are sorry to hear about the trouble this has caused you. Please know that our team is available to you for additional support while addressing this concern. As your advocate, we would be happy to assist you and your dealer in exhausting all available resources to have the concern addressed and resolved. Please do not hesitate to send us a private message for further assistance.

Kathryn
RamCares

 

[Docwagon1776]

Hello everyone, we are sorry to hear about the trouble this has caused you. Please know that our team is available to you for additional support while addressing this concern. As your advocate, we would be happy to assist you and your dealer in exhausting all available resources to have the concern addressed and resolved. Please do not hesitate to send us a private message for further assistance.

Kathryn
RamCares

Is there an update for 2012 trucks that addresses the inaccuracy of the fuel gauge, and if so can you provide the TSB number or what I need to give to the dealer? They cannot find anything for the 6 speed trucks, only the 8 speed equipped ones.

 

[RamCares]

Is there an update for 2012 trucks that addresses the inaccuracy of the fuel gauge, and if so can you provide the TSB number or what I need to give to the dealer? They cannot find anything for the 6 speed trucks, only the 8 speed equipped ones.

Hi @Docwagon1776, unfortunately I do not see a TSB that addresses this concern for your vehicle. We recommend following up with your dealer for an official diagnosis in order to determine the root of your concern.

Kathryn
RamCares

 

[Docwagon1776]

Hi @Docwagon1776, unfortunately I do not see a TSB that addresses this concern for your vehicle. We recommend following up with your dealer for an official diagnosis in order to determine the root of your concern.

Kathryn
RamCares

The official diagnosis is the fuel gauge is not properly calibrated for the optional larger tank. FCA released updated software to remedy this for the newer 4th gens as part of a package that also made other changes. That package is only available for the 8 speed transmission equipped trucks. No software update was available for the 6 speed trucks then, and if you don't see a TSB now that apparently has not changed.

The inaccurate fuel gage and extremely lackluster headlights have been my only concern with Ram, but it would be nice if they'd update the software for the older trucks as well instead of just sticking us with the inaccurate gauge.

 

[tap4154]

I wish Ram would have called it what it is and called it a 30 gallon tank. I don't care what it holds I would rather them let you know how much of it is usable. I know I've run mine out once and put in some gas out of a can in the back, couldn't have been much more than a half a gallon
Went directly to the station and only got another 28 and a half gallons in it..

But its a 32 gallon tank. When my low fuel light goes off if I gas up pretty quickly it takes about 28 gallons, which means I have only 4 gallons left. In my old Ford when the light came on I usually had about 6 to 7 gallons left, but I learned quickly that when the Ram light comes on I need to gas up pretty quick because I do not want the fuel pump cavitating and overheating.

I mean do you think they should give you a 35-gallon tank and call it a 32 gallon tank because it reserves a few extra gallons to protect the fuel pump? For all intents and purposes, I'd call it a 28 gallon tank, but I'm not saying Ram ripped us off because it does holds 32 gallons.

 

[bdc2]

But its a 32 gallon tank. When my low fuel light goes off if I gas up pretty quickly it takes about 28 gallons, which means I have only 4 gallons left. In my old Ford when the light came on I usually had about 6 to 7 gallons left, but I learned quickly that when the Ram light comes on I need to gas up pretty quick because I do not want the fuel pump cavitating and overheating.

I mean do you think they should give you a 35-gallon tank and call it a 32 gallon tank because it reserves a few extra gallons to protect the fuel pump? For all intents and purposes, I'd call it a 28 gallon tank, but I'm not saying Ram ripped us off because it does holds 32 gallons.

I've run it out of of fuel and refueling it took less than 30 gallons,,, so no I'm not going to call it a 32 gallon tank if only 30 gallons is available to the fuel pump.