fuel gauge accuracy
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
fuel gauge accuracy
Just put 500 miles on the truck running up to Charleston and back yesterday. As I am still getting to know it I have a question about the fuel gauge. Mine stays near full for quite a while and then sprints down to 1/4 tank. I'll switch tanks at about 200 miles and when I fill up, the tank will take about 11-12 gallons. If I am reading the owner's manual right it should hold 19 in the front and 18 in the back tank. So I should have 1/3 of a tank left and it typically shows well below 1/4. I have heard such bad things about running out of fuel that I don't wan to flirt with it, but is there a way to get a more accurate reading from your fuel gauge? Anyone else have a gauge that "sprints" from 3/4 down to 1/4?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
Mine do about exactly what yours does Dan. I've always heard that you have about five gallon of fuel left when gauge says empty. I don't know if that's true or not, but like you, I can't ever get more than about 12 gallon in at fill up from below 1/4 tank. I think it's just the way these trucks are. I usually don't let my needle touch the E mark, but I've been close. I try to fill up as soon as it drops below 1/4 tank.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 0
From: Yreka, CA
Mine is similar. I've started flirting with mine as of late. I let it go all the way to the E line and then I can get 16 gallons in.
I just went to portland this weekend and had been chatting with my passenger when I looked down and noticed the truck on E so I flipped tanks real quick. I ended up getting 19.1 gallons in that tank without topping off
I just went to portland this weekend and had been chatting with my passenger when I looked down and noticed the truck on E so I flipped tanks real quick. I ended up getting 19.1 gallons in that tank without topping off
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 0
From: Yreka, CA
Ya. Scared me a little bit. I've never ran out of gas. I'm usually the guy that fills up at 1/4 tank but I'm still trying to figure out what this truck will do. I know it will go for a while on E now though...
Honestly I'm not sure how I got away with that... I was cruising about 70 on the freeway and never got a stutter. Couldn't have been much left though.
Honestly I'm not sure how I got away with that... I was cruising about 70 on the freeway and never got a stutter. Couldn't have been much left though.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
You should run all the gas out of it and put some diesel fuel in it! 
I'm sorry bud, I'm just razzing you a little! LOL! Just kiddin!
I'm sorry bud, I'm just razzing you a little! LOL! Just kiddin!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 0
From: Yreka, CA
Saw that one coming 
. Haha
And that reminds me. I did run out of gas once. I only drive my Trans Am a few days a year and the fuel gauge quit working. Ran out of gas as I pulled into the gas station with what I thought was 1/4 tank.
Had to come clean
. HahaAnd that reminds me. I did run out of gas once. I only drive my Trans Am a few days a year and the fuel gauge quit working. Ran out of gas as I pulled into the gas station with what I thought was 1/4 tank.
Had to come clean
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
The truth will set you free! LOL!! I've coasted or pushed into a station a time or two myself. But that was years ago when I was young and broke! LOL!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Only time I ran out of gas was in a Pontiac. Whatever was the plain white sedan rental car du jour in '97. One of those deals where it was a better deal to drop off the car on an empty tank rather than full. Watching the gauge on the return trip, aprx. 5 miles out, the "low fuel" light comes on. Perfect, I figure. Except... about 1/4 mile later she coughs and stalls. Very useful, those newfangled warning lights....
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
Only time I ran out of gas was in a Pontiac. Whatever was the plain white sedan rental car du jour in '97. One of those deals where it was a better deal to drop off the car on an empty tank rather than full. Watching the gauge on the return trip, aprx. 5 miles out, the "low fuel" light comes on. Perfect, I figure. Except... about 1/4 mile later she coughs and stalls. Very useful, those newfangled warning lights....
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,422
Likes: 197
From: AZ
I was curiious once, I let it get below E and it even went a little below E. I was staring at my fuel pressure gauge and when it starting shaking I flipped the switch. I mean really, pulling that 5th wheel is boring and I didn't have any thing else to do, LOL I also put 19 gallons in it.