Hybrid RAV4s have a known issue in which the 14 gallon gas tank only holds 11 or 12 gallons, and some related issue with the fuel pump, and perhaps the fuel gauge.
Toyota has acknowledged the issue/s, but has not produced a fix.
It’s NOT a big deal for me, cause I usually fill up when the gauge registers 1/2 tank. Only a couple times have I run it closer to empty. One of those was following Toyota’s instructions to run it to empty and record the gallons to fill it (11.9 gallons IIRC).
In early December, I pulled up to a gas pump, and noted the person in front of me took a LOOONNNGGG time to fill his small car. When I pulled up to the gas pump, the pump ran VERY SLLOOOWWWLY. Very slow!
I knew that I needed about 6 gallons… the pump just kept pumping. At about 9 gallons, it finally shut off.
The fuel gauge was WAY PAST the “full” mark. Further past the Full mark than I’ve ever seen it.
I now assume that if I were to fill the tank VERRYYY SLOOWWWLYYY, I could get 14 gallons into the tank. But what would that do to the fuel pump and gauge?
I suspect that is the only time the tank has actually had 14 gallons in it.
ralph is really just commenting on the experience.