Prado Fuel Tanks Question

Check an earlier thread here

I have a 2006 Prado which I took into the Simpson recently and can give you a 'heads up' on the fuel tank indicator.

Both tanks are linked, which means that when you refuel, both tanks are filled at the same time. There is no 'switching' involved as the tanks will empty equally. Therefore, when half of the 180 litre capacity of the two tanks has been used the fuel gauge (which should at that time be sitting just below the half way mark) will automatically flick to the full gauge position and the green "90L" indicator will activate in the fuel gauge.

So, in real terms, if your fuel gauge is showing the "90L" green indicator, the status of your fuel reserve is ---- for example ---
the indicator needle in the fuel gauge is telling you that the tank is half full -- you will have approx. 45 litres left in your tanks.

I had read my owner's manual from cover to cover when I took delivery of my new Prado and was very, very confused about the instruction about the fuel tanks. I realised what the the owner's manual really meant when I was on a trip to Brisbane with approx half a tank of diesel. During the trip, I checked the gauge and it showed approx half full. A few minutes later, I checked the gauge again and it showed that the tank was full but with the 90L indicator on.

This sounds dodgy but once you see it happen you will understand exactly how much fuel you actually have.

The only variation on the above is if, like in my circumstances, your "90L" indicator doesn't come on at all. At the beginning of a 7000 klm trip through Qld/NT/SA/NSW/Qld, I discovered at my very first refuel that my "90L" indicator wasn't working at all. So after keeping track of how much fuel went in and where the fuel needle was sitting I was able to work out that the fuel needle gave an accurate reading for both tanks.

Hope that isn't too confusing. But, if you check your gauge regularly when it is at the half way mark it really will make sense.

Happy travelling.

4be,
Have a look in Pradopoint web site it may answer you question.
www.pradopoint.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=1244
plus
www.pradopoint.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=475

should help,
Cheers,
Fazz

The thread No is 36846 but I can't seem to get it to show up on search .

Google" Sub tank Prado" and it is the 2nd one down.


Pedro

The gauge system works as explained above. It is like having a single 180l tank.

I am also in the habit of resetting one of the trip meters every time I fill up and know that on average I can go 1,300km before the low fuel warning light comes on. This acts as a good backup in case of failure of the guage (as pointed out above).

Always good to keep an eye on that trip meter and compare it to what the gauge is saying as you cruise along. You will soon get to know your vehicle and can plan fuel stops accordingly.

Muddy

Thankgod for the old technology of the 95 series. Two tanks, two filler necks, two pumps, two guages and a switch. That way if one tank gets damaged or contaminated you can choose which tank to draw from.

You also know EXACTLY how much you can get out of each tank becuase you control which one you are drawing from and can accurately work out the milage you achieve when you switch a tank over.

Bit like all that DAT and stuff that people want to switch off.

4be and all,,
I concur with everyone's comments so far. Being the owner of one of these beasties, can someone please tell me approximately how much fuel is LEFT in the tank when the Low Fuel light comes on??? I've done up to 1550km around town and the light still hasn't come on!!!
Incidently, is supposed to come on when the ingition key is turned to "on"????
If it does, then maybe I've got a blown globe.

Cheers, Matt