Author Topic: Fuel sensor  (Read 3668 times)

Offline jdjd

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Fuel sensor
« on: 10 November 2009, 18:35 »
Why is it that when my car goes onto redlight, The time taken for the fuel needle to drop though the reserve bit is like 100times faster then it takes the needle to fall at any other point

I mean its like 15miles from when the light comes on to the car saying its got 0 petrol in it. Yet there's like a 2 notches it drops

Offline howlingmoon

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #1 on: 10 November 2009, 18:57 »
noooo, ur car is exactly like me... its human... i go from slightly hungry (red light activates indicating tank is in reserve) to super hungry when I see delicious food (when indicator drops 2 notches) in just a few minutes? Why does that happen? Did you pass by some petrol stations that you car likes? Quick hide it... and by the way, what do you call your car?



HM

P.S. In case some readers are not sure whether I was joking... I was...

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Offline R32UK

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #2 on: 10 November 2009, 19:23 »
I have noticed this too. you would have thought having a lighter load would give it an increased range :undecided:

Offline ub7rm

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #3 on: 10 November 2009, 19:29 »
Not especially relevant but on my mkv it seems to go through the last half tank a lot quicker than the first half.  Presumably the gauge software hasn't been calibrated very well...
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Offline p3asa

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #4 on: 10 November 2009, 20:19 »
The same for me although I have found that when I get to a range of 35 it rapidly drops to zero within 5 or 10 minutes or so of driving.

I reckon it is because the level is too low to read successfully. My other cars have stopped reading from a 50 mile range and just given 3 dashes.

There was a post on here saying they got another 15miles out of the tank after the range read zero. Not sure if they ran out then, don't think they did though.
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Offline R32UK

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #5 on: 10 November 2009, 20:24 »
The same for me although I have found that when I get to a range of 35 it rapidly drops to zero within 5 or 10 minutes or so of driving.

I reckon it is because the level is too low to read successfully. My other cars have stopped reading from a 50 mile range and just given 3 dashes.

There was a post on here saying they got another 15miles out of the tank after the range read zero. Not sure if they ran out then, don't think they did though.

i have had 24miles after the readout said 0  :evil:

Offline GolfTi

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #6 on: 10 November 2009, 20:28 »
Me too. 25 miles.

I don't think the petrol gauge is linear and it has been designed this way.

Don't try to go any further unless you have a petrol can or can walk to the nearest garage. :grin:
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Offline ub7rm

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #7 on: 10 November 2009, 20:43 »
Me too. 25 miles.

I don't think the petrol gauge is linear and it has been designed this way.


Don't try to go any further unless you have a petrol can or can walk to the nearest garage. :grin:


It should be though, and is indicated that way.  Half a tank should mean just that, you have used half your petrol and you have the same amount to go before you run out.
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Offline GolfTi

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #8 on: 10 November 2009, 20:54 »
Remember the Top Gear episode when the Jag (or was it the polo) went for a further 100 miles or so.

Yes, I agree the fuel gauge should show the actual fuel remaining but they don't on most modern cars.
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Offline Rolfe

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Re: Fuel sensor
« Reply #9 on: 10 November 2009, 21:06 »
Not especially relevant but on my mkv it seems to go through the last half tank a lot quicker than the first half.  Presumably the gauge software hasn't been calibrated very well...

My Mk VI is doing exactly that.  Very irritating, even though I've started to get used to it.  I get about 200 miles from the first half of the tank and about 160 miles from the second half.  After the light goes on at (allegedly) 30 miles, the needle drops like a stone.

I'm tempted to keep going till it runs dry, just to see how much leeway there actually is!

Rolfe.