Weird gas gauge.... - CEG Archives

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Ok. So, my gas gauge. Works just fine from full to 1/4 tank...but after it gets under a 1/4 it goes FAST. Like, I'll lose my entire 1/4 tank in about 30 minutes of normal city driving. Now, I figured out that if my gas gauge is working correctly, I only have about 3 1/2 gallons in my last 1/4 tank. Is this normal? Or do I have more gas in there than I think I do?

Mine has the same problem, but mine starts going fast after 1/2 a tank and as soon it past 1/4 a tank my car seems to have more boost. But I usually I fill the tank before it gets to 1/4. I think it has to do with the fuel level device in the fuel tank itself. I think it reads it to slow in the first 1/2 tank and catches up to the remaining fuel in the tank. Thus looking like you are consuming more at the end of the tank.

Just my theory. Not sure if its true.

Originally posted by Kerry2Kool4U:
Mine has the same problem, but mine starts going fast after 1/2 a tank and as soon it past 1/4 a tank my car seems to have more boost. But I usually I fill the tank before it gets to 1/4. I think it has to do with the fuel level device in the fuel tank itself. I think it reads it to slow in the first 1/2 tank and catches up to the remaining fuel in the tank. Thus looking like you are consuming more at the end of the tank.

Just my theory. Not sure if its true.

Yep. Those gauges aren't very accurate.

If thats true, it is goin to make it VERY difficult for me to plan some upcoming trips...whoo boy...

discussion before was that the gas guages were programmed to work that way, it should be slow to 3/4s then dive to 1/4 then level off some

and you should be recording your milage, like I know I can get 350 at best on winter gas in my mystique and somewhere between 350 and 375 on summer gas per tank

on my contour I know I should get about 300 mile per tank

Is it a problem then that I usually only get 230-260 miles on a tank? I'm not a lead foot.....

And usually I only get 22mpg when I figure it all out.

Originally posted by Purple95LX:
Is it a problem then that I usually only get 230-260 miles on a tank? I'm not a lead foot.....

And usually I only get 22mpg when I figure it all out.

yes, a zetec in good working order should get at least 300 mile per tank imho

fyi I get anywhere between 26 and 30 mpg with 5spd

wow 22mpg?

I averaged 32.8mpg last time I went to buffalo which is about a 120 mile round trip, and the speeds ranged from 30 to 65.

Gas gauges are notorious for making you think you get great mileage (based on the first half tank). Actually if you filled the tank and drove down the Interstate until your gauge read 1/2 tank then turned around you wouldn't get half way back. Thats true on all cars.

yea mine drops like a rock as soon as it hits 1/2 a tank

I get around 22 in the winter, and when I stomp on the gas alot. Usually summer highway easy driving I get around 30.

ehh is use the trip meter...once i hit 300 miles its time for me to get gas if I seank up to 350 miles plan to have AAA out helping...

then again mashing on the gas, and high speed freeway driveing doesn't help...

Originally posted by ZetecGL:
wow 22mpg?

I averaged 32.8mpg last time I went to buffalo which is about a 120 mile round trip, and the speeds ranged from 30 to 65.

I average about 24... Im kind of a led foot (working on that), plus my CTA air intake doesnt help combined with the led foot, my car just drinks gas when I get on it... That and I need to replace my air filter.

that 32mpg was the first day I got my car back.. I was a lead foot every time I could get on it

Originally posted by Purple95LX:
Ok. So, my gas gauge. Works just fine from full to 1/4 tank...but after it gets under a 1/4 it goes FAST. Like, I'll lose my entire 1/4 tank in about 30 minutes of normal city driving. Now, I figured out that if my gas gauge is working correctly, I only have about 3 1/2 gallons in my last 1/4 tank. Is this normal? Or do I have more gas in there than I think I do?

correct me if im wrong but i remember an old thread that was stating that when the contique was first made, maybe it was an escort, not sure, but the gas tank was designed flat or something, so the gauge was consistent and the gauge steadily went down. (hope that made sense) But too many people complained that they felt like it got bad mileage, so they redisigned the tank to be top heavy. So your first half of the tank gets alot of mileage and you think your doing well, but the bottom half of the tank is smaller, so it goes down quicker.

to make a long story short, i think everyone experiences the last half, or more in my case, the last quarter will empty out in oh, 70 kms.

oh and i usually get 28MPG in the winter and something like 31 or so in the summer, than again im doing alot of highway there.

funny my gas gauge goes down ultra fast on the first 1/2 of the tank once I hit the mid mark it slows down big time.