I'm used to vehicle fuel gauges not being accurate, but mine borders on the ridiculous. It's fairly close once it gets down to 1/4 tank but before that it's not even close. Is this a common problem or do I have the exception?

Extremely common problem.

I second the motion.


At 300 mi. I'm at 1/2 a tank. At 425 mi. I'm ridin' on E. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif





JP

OK then. Guess I won't lose any sleep over it then.


Thanks,

Hey Oldman,


I just noticed you were from Wasilla. My brother had a buddy he was really tight with, and right after high school graduation his buddy went to Wasilla and never came back. He loves that place. His name is Charlie Balotti. Me & the Misses were just in Alaska, and we loved too....we came back though.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


JP

I was along for the ride with a good friend of mine yesterday and his gauge was on E with te light on for around 5 miles before we made it to the station. It only took 22.5 gallons...that's comforting to know we still had over three gallons left...

Ox

It gets even worse (fuel gauge guesstimating) with a 45 Gallon transfer flow.

I second the motion.


At 300 mi. I'm at 1/2 a tank. At 425 mi. I'm ridin' on E. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif





JP








Mine just started doing it about a month or so ago...220 miles on the first 1/4, 425miles on E! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif





Is there an easy fix, or is it one of those "just deal with it" type of things?








Kevin

Hey Oldman,


I just noticed you were from Wasilla. ..... Me & the Misses were just in Alaska, and we loved too....we came back though.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


JP


I left ALaska right after high school. I was gone just long enough to do 28 years in the Navy. Been all over the world and the states, never found anyplace that would compare. You obviously didn't spend enough time up here or you'd be my neighbor now!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

If we had stayed any longer we may very well still be there...Alaska was awesome...


BTW, I appreciate your service to our country...Whooo Ahhh! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


JP

Mine seems to go very slow for the first half of the tank, then the second half goes in a hurry. Short story, while going to Mesa Verde last October, it was very late, couldn't find a station open, let alone one with diesel. Towing our 5er, me watching the needle getting closer to E while in between towns, then on E, then the low fuel light comes on....we are approx. 5 minutes outside of the next town, Alamosa..finally found a closed station that allowed pay at pump and filled up with 25.2 gallons. Scared, oh hell yeah...do it again, hell no!! Discussions of a transfer flow tank with the wife were brought up thinking about what if's.. I guess not everybodies low fuel light comes on at the same time, just be careful!!


Bob

When I travel pulling the 5er I always carry A 5 gallon can of fuel in the back of the truck.


It doesn't take up much room, and in A pinch 5 gallons of fuel might be the difference between walking and driving.

John-


Very good point, we now do this as well. Certainly would have been comforting to add 5 gallons to make it to the next station.


Bob

Here's how mine works...

* From F to 3/4: "Saaay, I got over 100 miles out of that 1/4 tank. Guess I'm good for at least 400 for the whole thing."

* From 3/4 to 1/2: "Hmm, now I only got about 75 miles from that 1/4 tank. Maybe that was just a fluke."

* From 1/2 to 14: "WTF -- that was only good for a little over 50 miles?! I wonder if something's wrong with my truck."

* From 1/2 to E: "What do you mean we're out of gas?! We had a quarter of a tank 25 miles ago!"

How long they been making vehicles now, 100 years or so? You start to wonder if they'll ever get it right. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif

At least they seem to be incorrect the same amount. Mine is exactly like Heartbeat Hauler, 300 to first half, dry at 425. I used to attribute this to the fact that I always fillup until I can see fuel at the top of the neck. That way I can be sure I'm "full" the same amount to help calculate MPG. Of course, the first half tank will include several 'extra' gallons.


BUT, knowing this, I always carry a 5 gallon reserve when hauling a load or running long distance at high speed on a weekend. (DON't run outta fuel in north-west Alabama on Saturday nite after 8pm! the sidewalks aren't the only things rolled up!!!) I trust the engine, NOT the gauges...

I have a quick question related to this post...


Is it safe to keep a 5 gallon fuel container in the back of my truck, for daily in-town driving? I always seem to be getting low on fuel at the most inconvenient times, and it would be nice to be able to just add that and not have to stop.


Tim

Once I'm at 1/2 tank on the fuel gauge, I check my fuel use on the trucks display system. When I get to 20 gallons used, I start looking to fill up.

mine shows 400 before a quarter tank, and about 530 or so on E

I have fixed some of these with a fuel level sending unit and others by reprogramming the PCM.





Justin

I use the trip odometer for a fuel gauge. It is some comfort to know you still have 3-4 gallons when the low fuel light comes on.

The fuel gauge in mine is the most accurate GM fuel gauge I've ever had.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


I don't think my vette does this well, (never cared in that one) http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I watch the trip meter as opposed to depending on fuel guage. Mine is good around town and for frequent stops of 20 minutes or more. If I run on open road for three or four hours after fill-up, the guage continues to read at full tank. However, pull into a rest stop and shut off for a short time and the guage shows true. Can't be depended upon and the dealer hasn't a clue as to why???