After reading posts and articles about faulty fuel gauge readings on some 4runners I know what they mean. I have a 99 I am just figuring out. Looked like I was getting poor mpg so I finally ran it till the low fuel warning light came on. Not knowing how low it was I got gas a few minutes after light went on. To my suprise It took only 12.5 gals.from the last fillup. Had 215 miles on the trip gauge. Much bettr than the 11 or 12 mpg I thought I was getting. Gas gauge goes down fast from full tank and light seems premature with six gals left. At least I now have an idea how many miles I can get out of a full tank. is there any easy way to fix this gauge or do I just live with it and keep my eye on the trip gauge.

Mike

i have a 99 4runner too and i have the same problem with it,gas consumption is really bad.Im not sure if theres a malfunction with the fuel gauge but everything you said makes sense so probaly im experiencing the same thing with my 4runner but all suv are pretty bad in gas,it really cost a lot to look good. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Yes, this is a common problem with '99 and '00. Toyota put out a technical service bulletin about this a few years ago. It would have been fixed for free if your 4Runner would still be under warranty. Do a search here for "+fuel +guage" within the past 5 years to see more about it.

Lars also has a good summary with a copy of a few of Toyota's TSB's from his web page:
http://www.larsdennert.com/4runner/fuelsender/index.htm

My fuel guage performance greatly improved after I replaced both the guage and the sender unit in the tank. Yes, it's an 18.5 gallon tank.

My 96 does the same thing. Easiest fix would be to drop the tank and bend the float arm until it reads what you want. A small bend "upwards" should have it reading more accurately. I'm not sure why it affects 4Runners and not Taco's... That's the confusing part to me.

Thanks all for the helpful info. Will do some more searching as I am not going to attempt to correct this problem myself and I know it won't be cheap to have the dealer or someone else do the work.In my eyes this should be a recall for various safety reasons and toyota should correct it without costs. For now I will use the trip meter conservatively,just cant stand unneeded lights glaring at me when driving.

Mike