I know a lot of people just put $10-20 (or whatever) in their tank as needed but I almost always fill mine up each time. When I first filled my car up after I bought it, the needle showed about 7/8ths full. Regularly filling it up brought the needle closer to the full line but even then it would initially show about 7/8ths full then after a few miles the needle would rise closer to the full line.

So I take a 950 mile road trip, filled up 3 time (honestly, I think I could have made it without stopping the 3rd time) and each refill, the needle was starting off higher. The last time it was actually slightly above the full line (like how it is in most cars when you fill the tank up) and took a good 30 miles to drop below the full line. It is possible that by not filling the tank all the way regularly the float sticks and won't register full? And maybe filling it up regularly again can unstick it?

 

For as long as I can remember I can only ever get 14 gallons into my baby and even then it never hits full but stays one hash mark under F. I've rid it until the gas light comes on and a little bit past that and filled it at 16 gallons (when ever the pump clicks I don't force it). Whenever it hits the e for me it takes 14 gallons to fill. I get 300 miles out of those 14 gallons though.

 

Supposed to be a 20 gallon tank. When the light came on in my car, it took a little over 14 gallons to fill it. Still trying to figure out if the gauge is just wrong or the tank isn't filling up all the way. But now the gauge seems to be working right. Guess I'll know after a few more fill-ups on my way back to Texas.

 

Scottwax, I suggest you don't wait until the warning light comes on to start looking for a gas station, especially in Texas! When filling up SLICK I always mess with it until I am totally full and the gas is sitting in the filler neck. Only then am I sure it's full, and the gauge reads the same.
Gary

 

I thought my gas warning light wasn't working the first time I saw it.. curious as I was that I didn't see it when the needle hit E, I decided to drive till it popped. 30 miles later the light illuminated. Like Gary said, don't run it to the light regardless of where you live lol.

 

I'm not sure what it is but I've had problems with my fuel gauge also. My problem is I can be close to empty with my gas light on and put around 5-10 gallons in it or so and my gas light will still show I need to fill up. Everything works fine when I fill up all the way, but the fuel gauge doesn't seem to work anymore when just putting in afew gallons at a time. I usually keep track of how much I put in to know when I have to fill up again.

 

Do you turn your car off when fueling? If you do, do you leave the key in the on position? Sometimes I have forgotten to turn my car off and the gas doesn't read right until about 20 miles later or If I leave the car on accessory or "on" I get a similar gas gauge problem which goes away with a few miles.

 

Have you guys tried cleaning the level sensors? Screw guessing how much is in the tank....

 

I've thought about it. I mean I never guess lol, I just know that I can never fill my car to 20 gallons and that I only get 14gals or 16gal depending on how long I run on E. 14 g takes me to the e and 16 takes me to the gas light. As long as I get 300+ out of the ~14 I put in than it is kosher to me.

You are right though for those whose gauges are incorrect or don't function properly.. just prepare to get gassy or high off the fumes.

 

No I usually always take my key out. I don't think I've ever left it in to be honest. I think cleaning or getting a new sensor might fix it. Although maybe there's something wrong with the actual gauge. Who knows.

 

There was a write up on how to service the pump and or sensors, the pump is located under the rear seat.

 

I guess I'll see how the gauge registers when filling up on my way back to Texas, leaving later this afternoon. Hope it continues to read more accurately. Looks like I can easily get 400 miles on the freeway between fill-ups.

 

I used to fill mine all the time regardless of how much was in the tank. Usually when I hit 1/2 tank, I'm making a plan to stop for gas at my usual station to top off. Each time, it always filled to the same spot.

I did notice thogh that it took forever to move. I could drive 75 miles and it would never move off full. But as soon as it did, it dropped like a rock.

When the light came on, it was usually around 3 gallons in the tank, and I could get 16 or so in when I filled it up.

If I filled it up with engine running, it would take a few mins of driving for the level to correct itself. Quicker if I shut the car down and restarted

 

When I bought the car, a quarter tank meant I'd used 10 gallons, now its a little under half when it takes 10 gallons to fill it. Odd that consistently filling it has made it read more normal. But it does definitely point to the gas tank sensor vs the cluster.

 

my gas gauge has a mind of its own. It starting acting up after about 100K miles. It will always go past F immediately after topping off, but the last half of the tank the needle does what it wants. The light should come on at 3 gallons left.

I'm not about to tear out my backseat to fix a sensor. I just rely on the trip odometer. I know I can get at least 300 miles on a tank, I just reset every fill up and use that as my gauge.