The Fuel Guage shows the wrong amount of gas?

[hassanbigboss]

I just filled my Camry today and noticed that I put in 13.5 gallons of gas in the car. The thing that worried me was that the gas guage was between the empty mark and the quarter marker, which according to me shows about 2-3 gallons of gas left but in fact there was about 5 gallons of gas left in the tank because the tank of my Camry is 18.5 gallons (18.5 - 13.5= 5). Ifssomething is wrong with the gas guage and I want to fix it, how much should I be expecting to pay a mechanic??

[xfeejayx]

I wouldn't be too quick to pay a mechanic for this one. I'm not sure what would be causing your problem, but i pulled the whole fuel pump assembly (including the mechanical part of the gas gauge) out of my 98 camry last week in less than 15 minutes, and I had never done it before. just need an 8mm socket.
I'm honestly not sure how a gas gauge works, so take other's opinions over mine. But since you are still getting a reading, I'd assume it wasn't an electrical problem.

**These cars have an 18.5 Gallon Tank?!?!** Well then, mine is doing the same thing yours is, and I wouldn't worry about it.

[Brian R.]

Your experience is normal. There is alot of gas left in the tank after you get to a quarter tank. I guess it's better that way than getting near empty and running out.

[somick]

A lot of factors may affect the gauge readings. Was the car parked on a level surface? What was the ambient temperature?
Do you fill your car at the same gas station? The setting on the pistol are different at different stations, so it may stop pumping gas at different pressure readings.
The main thought though the gauges are not suppose to be that accurate. They only give you general information.
By the way my cars all do the same things. I would not worry about this.

Sam

[Mike Gerber]

Agreed. This sounds like normal operation to me. Most cars have fuel gages that show lesser amounts of fuel left in the tank than actually is left, when you get to 1/4 tank and below. If you ran most cars down to the "E" mark, you would probably still have 2-3 gallons left. I think it keeps drivers from running out of fuel.

Mike

[idmetro]

I wouldn't worry about it too much either. My 91 has shown a similar situation with the gauge since day one. Interestingly the chicken light has gradually come on earlier and earlier over the years starting at E and now it blinks on with just over 1/8 tank remaining. All I do is fill up between half and 1/4 tank, problem solved. The only bad part about this is it seems to have trained other drivers in the family to ignore the light and the gauge as my old truck hits empty and stops in its tracks so they have had to walk a time or two.....

[hassanbigboss]

Okay guys I understand now. I wont worry anymore I guess. I had a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country which did the same thing. I agree when you guys say that it prevents drivers from running out of gas. Thanks

[rimfire,22]

Originally Posted by hassanbigboss

I just filled my Camry today and noticed that I put in 13.5 gallons of gas in the car. The thing that worried me was that the gas guage was between the empty mark and the quarter marker, which according to me shows about 2-3 gallons of gas left but in fact there was about 5 gallons of gas left in the tank because the tank of my Camry is 18.5 gallons (18.5 - 13.5= 5). Ifssomething is wrong with the gas guage and I want to fix it, how much should I be expecting to pay a mechanic??

hassanbigboss,

The gas guage in you Toyota is for general referance unless yous is digital. On mine I have a small red light that comes on when I getting real dry. Persoanlly I wouldn't worry about it. I have an 89' Camry and have had no problem with my guages.

rimfire,22

[hassanbigboss]

I did stop worrying after what you guys told me. I even sat in some guys camry and it did the same thing so now I am not worried at all. I guess all the cars are like this :-)