Fuel Guage "Pad"

[SLVRBLT]

Filled my tanks today for the first time since I installed an auxiliary tank. (90 Gal. ) When I switched tanks the last time, I ran the OEM tank down to right on empty and the computer was on 5 miles to empty. When I filled up today, the OEM took 31 gallons which means I still had 4 gallons left. I can live with this, but do the rest of you find that you have this kind of "pad" with the OEM fuel gauge?

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2001 2500 HO 6spd QC LB 4x4 SLTPLUS All options except Snow Plow and Clearance Lights - Rhino Liner,Straight Exhaust, 90 Gal. American Toolbox/Tank Combo
'95 Harley Low Rider, Crane cam, S&S Super E

 

[Bad340fish]

Yours is alot better than mine. When i get a low fuel light i have about 10 gallons left. I guess they want to be a little on the safe side??

Clark

 

[illflem]

It seems that most of us have 7-10 gallons left at empty. It's Dodge's way of looking after us incompetents so we don't run out of fuel.

 

[BarryG]

I found this to be true on my previous 96 RAM as well as many other vehicles. After some investigating I read somewhere that it has to do with consumer preference and not running out of gas going up or down a hill. Maybe you have noticed that your gauge reads full for quite awhile before it starts moving down. Manufacturers do that on purpose to give you the percieved feeling that you are getting good mileage. The reason it reads empty early is (particulary with the shape of the tank on a pickup, long and narrow) going up and down hills can make quite difference. On a prolonged steep hill in the mountains you may have 3 or 4 gallons of fuel left but it has all moved to one end of the tank away from the pump feed hence your vehicle thinks your out of gas. How mad would you be at the manufacturer for running out of gas when you still had several gallons left. They are kind of in a strange spot. Make the gauge accurate and get ripped by consumers for letting them run out gas before they are out or fudge it and make it look good at the other end. So they chose the option that makes them look good.

 

[CCahill]

The first few fill ups in my truck had me confused, I bought a 35 gallon tank, didn't I?. . every time it went on the big E, io would pull into the station and fuel up. . 29-31 gallons and it was full, I didn't get it... We're not idiots, we all are aware of the fuel guage and our mileage. . so I dropped the tank, and bent the float rod down to 1" above the bottom, instead of the 31/2 it was now as soon as it dings I know I have about 5 gallons of fuel left, needle barely touching the "E", seems to be working fine now when I fill up, it takes 31-31 gallons... As far as going up or down hills, the sender/pump assy has a "holding area" for fuel, safety for the fuel pump cooling.

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2001 Quad,4x4,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded enough,stock,... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/od
Specialized FSR PRO Stumpjumper Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames
12' fishin' boat, loaded. .

 

[SteveAZ]

That's better than one car I had. When the fuel light came on, it meant you should have started looking for a gas station 10 miles ago. Found this out 20 miles or so west of Blythe on I-10 (just shy of nowhere).