fuel gauge inaccurate

98gpking · #1 01-08-2007, 07:55 AM

heres the dealio. i have a GTP so i have 3 different ways of monitoring my fuel amounts. the thing is they all read different. my miles i have left reads low fuel at 40miles remaining. by that time my gas gauges is almost all the way down. but my gallons used only reads like 10 gallons at this point. my MPG and my fuel ive used seem to match up pretty well

so my question is. should i fill up when ive used close to 14 gallons of gas and let my gas gauge bury itself in my dash or should i just rely on my gas gauge and and ignore my digital display screen

BNaylor · #2 01-09-2007, 10:45 AM

Personally I would not totally depend or rely on the DIC trip computer or the analog fuel gauge. Especially the fuel gauge because it is not that accurate. Try filling up completely one time or at least make sure you have a full tank of gas (17-18 gallons), reset the trip computer and then see how it comes out short of running out of gas. Based on knowing what your GP gets typically miles per gallon and the amount of fuel put in you should know where you stand.

98gpking · #3 01-09-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Personally I would not totally depend or rely on the DIC trip computer or the analog fuel gauge. Especially the fuel gauge because it is not that accurate. Try filling up completely one time or at least make sure you have a full tank of gas (17-18 gallons), reset the trip computer and then see how it comes out short of running out of gas. Based on knowing what your GP gets typically miles per gallon and the amount of fuel put in you should know where you stand.

well im guessing my DIC computer gallons gauge is the most accurate i did a test the other day i filled it until it clicked off and then hung up the pump i didnt top off or round up. and i reset the computer to 0 gallons used. i got to about half a tank and then i filled it again my computer said i used (just a number not the actual reading) 7.8 gallons and the pump read 7.9 so the computer gauge def. seems to be the most accurate but im still wondering if i should go by it.

what gallon tank is in a 2000 GTP??

98gpking · #4 01-09-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Personally I would not totally depend or rely on the DIC trip computer or the analog fuel gauge. Especially the fuel gauge because it is not that accurate. Try filling up completely one time or at least make sure you have a full tank of gas (17-18 gallons), reset the trip computer and then see how it comes out short of running out of gas. Based on knowing what your GP gets typically miles per gallon and the amount of fuel put in you should know where you stand.

also when the fuel light comes on and i fill it up completely the pump only says like 12.8 gallons put in. and thats with the low fuel light on

BNaylor · #5 01-09-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98gpking

what gallon tank is in a 2000 GTP??

According to the owner's manual all 2000 year Grand Prixs have a 17 gallon gas tank.

98gpking · #6 01-09-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor

According to the owner's manual all 2000 year Grand Prixs have a 17 gallon gas tank.

so then my fuel light coming on at 12.5 gallons seems a lil early??

id say all my gauges are messed up. not to mention i think 180 miles to a full tank seems a lil low. so thats another reason why i think my gauges are reading a lil wrong

jeepgclwj · #7 01-09-2007, 07:25 PM

I have recently tested mine out as well. I was driving my car until after low light came on to when it had zero miles left. Both times I filled up and my I had about 2 1/2 gallons left in my car. I dunno.

BNaylor · #8 01-09-2007, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98gpking

so then my fuel light coming on at 12.5 gallons seems a lil early??

id say all my gauges are messed up. not to mention i think 180 miles to a full tank seems a lil low. so thats another reason why i think my gauges are reading a lil wrong

It sounds like your gauge is either out of calibration or the fuel level sensor is off. Really no way to calibrate the fuel gauge and if the level sensor is off all you can do is replace it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepgclwj

I have recently tested mine out as well. I was driving my car until after low light came on to when it had zero miles left. Both times I filled up and my I had about 2 1/2 gallons left in my car. I dunno.

Thats about right. When the low fuel light comes on having around 1.5 - 2.5 gallons is normal.

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