First time dakota owner,
Just bought my 04 dakota 3.7 4x4 club cab.have filled it up a couple times and noticed it only takes 13.5 gallons of gas and the fuel gauge registers full and i baby the nozzle and it will take no more looked at owers manual says tank should hold 24 gallons.It is getting about 16 mpg stock would like to do some mods but this tank thing puzzles me.Thanks

 

I believe its a 22 gallon tank you have. There was an option for a smaller 15-18g tank but I want to say it was only available for the 2.5 and 3.9.

There is also a 4-5 gallon reserve so unless youre filling up the needle reading beyond empty there is still another 4-5 gallons in there.

My Mazda 3's gas light comes on with still 1/3 of fuel left.

 

I don't believe there is any "reserve." I ran out of gas with less 1/8 on the gauge showing.

My truck at most only takes about 17 gallons and yes, it is supposed to be bigger.

 

My bone dry is 2 needlewidths under the trailing edge of the E line. 18 gals and change to first click, about 19 to third click.