gas gauge ?

[bigmuskie]

My gas gauge drops at a rapid pace from full to about 3/4 tank (matter of three days) and then slows down. When it reaches empty the odometer reads only 244 miles. My mileage should improve after the work I have done.

Could I have a faulty sending unit?
How many miles per tank should I be getting?

I thought I read that I have a 16.5 gallon tank. When empty I only fill 11.5 gallons back full. If that's the case, then it's not empty, I should have atleast another 5 gallons left. Any thoughts on this.

Thanks,

big.

 

[Ranger Rod]

Is this a new problem, sometimes a tank is smaller on the top end or lower end accounting for the difference in how fast the needle moves?

 

[bigmuskie]

Is this a new problem, sometimes a tank is smaller on the top end or lower end accounting for the difference in how fast the needle moves?

No, it has always done it since taking ownership 3 weeks ago. The owners manual states that I have a 16.5 gallon tank, but only pump in 11.5 when gauge reads empty, I'm wondering if the sending unit is faulty.

I figured my MPG first time at 21.5 and the second time at 19.5. With a 16.5 gallon tank, I should be getting 340 +/- a tank.

 

[Ranger Rod]

You should find out how much of a reserve you have, it may account for the 5 gallons. If it means that much to know you can always carry a gas can with you and drive till she stops using the contents of the can to get to service station and add it to the sum of your fill up to get a total and see if it = 16.5. I would not think a 2001 would have 5 gallons of water in the tank unless you park next to a busy washroom at the bar ; )

 

[mixwell]

Don't know if this input might help but on my 2001 3.0L I have filled up from almost bone empty and got 16 gallons to pump before the gas pump kicked off. I would think that when the gas light shows up you probably have about 1 gallon left which is why I estimated my tank to be 17 gallons going off of how much I've been able to pump from empty. So I would assuming something is incorrect if you are showing empty and only able to pump 11 gallons of gas.

 

[MusicManiac]

Is this a new problem, sometimes a tank is smaller on the top end or lower end accounting for the difference in how fast the needle moves?

Very true. The tank on my old '66 Beetle is kind of t-shaped so it doesn't hardly drop at all until it only has about a third of a tank left. Could be something like that.

 

[bigmuskie]

You should find out how much of a reserve you have, it may account for the 5 gallons. If it means that much to know you can always carry a gas can with you and drive till she stops using the contents of the can to get to service station and add it to the sum of your fill up to get a total and see if it = 16.5.

I'm gonna do that, but I'll have the gas can for when I run out (if no one steals it first)

I would not think a 2001 would have 5 gallons of water in the tank unless you park next to a busy washroom at the bar ; )

Son of a .....! I should have known better.

Don't know if this input might help but on my 2001 3.0L I have filled up from almost bone empty and got 16 gallons to pump before the gas pump kicked off. I would think that when the gas light shows up you probably have about 1 gallon left which is why I estimated my tank to be 17 gallons going off of how much I've been able to pump from empty. So I would assuming something is incorrect if you are showing empty and only able to pump 11 gallons of gas.

Cool thanks, didn't know there was a gas light. My gauge reads empty now, so this should be interesting.

 

[TomB1269]

Mixwell; FYI, I have had my gas light go on and drop 16.5in the tank I have had in go off and I drop 17+. The gas light is sensitive to fuel level........Running on the flat goes of later, running hills goes of sooner, shut down at the right level it will turn of for at least another half to 3/4 gallons. I know I have 19 gallon tank, as I have filled the tank with over 18.5 gallons. I also know my fuel mileage based on the type of driving, weather and terrain. So I have been known to run it on fumes.

 

[mixwell]

Interesting Tom.. Today got me thinking about this thread when I went to fill up gas she took 16.3 gallons to fill up from having the light on. I would assume you'd have more than 1/2-1 gallon's worth of gas notice before your truck shuts down ? Maybe mine has a true 19 gallon tank and they nerf it by 2 gallons for those trips where there isn't a gas station around. Honestly I'd be interested in having a gas can and letting my truck run completely out of gas and then seeing the true tank capacity but its not a big deal but now I'm curious...

 

[mixwell]

Cool thanks, didn't know there was a gas light. My gauge reads empty now, so this should be interesting.

Your vehicle is a Mazda I see.. I would still think there would be a warning light. In the ranger it states "Check Gauge" and is a red light. Not sure about Mazda but I would assume its the same thing if not very similar.

 

[bigmuskie]

Your vehicle is a Mazda I see.. I would still think there would be a warning light. In the ranger it states "Check Gauge" and is a red light. Not sure about Mazda but I would assume its the same thing if not very similar.

Yes sir, that would be correct (red "check gauge" light), it came on during my commute home from work. I was under the assumption it was a separate yellow light that came on. Guess I'd better get the gas can ready, good times ahead.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Yes sir, that would be correct (red "check gauge" light), it came on during my commute home from work. I was under the assumption it was a separate yellow light that came on. Guess I'd better get the gas can ready, good times ahead.

That light also comes on when your oil gauge goes floppy. lol. I've been reading up on this so I'd like to know the results when you find out.

 

[snomaker321]

My gas gauge also drops really weird. when i fill up it goes above F and i can run for a day on E and then go to fill it and find i still had a few gallons left. Although last time i filled up the pump clicked off at 19.95 gallons. I have a 20 gallon tank. Also my trucks older so i dont have a gas light. I wonder if theres some fancy pants gas gauge you can get that will tell you exactly how many gallons you have left...