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Author Topic: How accurate is the fuel guage?  (Read 12187 times)

Offline Daz Auto

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How accurate is the fuel guage?
« on: 27 August 2017, 21:40 »
Just after we set off today the fuel warning came on - 35 miles remaining.

On the Mk6 GTD it would come on with 50 miles remaining. I learned that the car would do another 30 if driven sensibly. Our A3 does something similar.

So anyway, I was not really worrying. I worked out that the car would read 0 miles just before I reached the Sainsbury's petrol station. On arrival, I noted the mileage and filled the car to the neck with Super Unleaded. When I looked at the pump it said 53.71L :shocked:

I was aware that the old MK6 had a 55L tank, but our A3 has a 50L tank. I checked the Golf brochure in case they changed tank size on the Mk7.5. It says the GTI Performance has a 50L tank. :huh:

I see 3 possibilities -

1. I was driving on fumes. This means the fuel gauge is completely accurate. :shocked:
2. The pump was wrong.  :huh:
3. The tank is bigger than 50L. :undecided:

I'm guessing I was driving on fumes? :shocked:

Just in case anyone is interested: the mileage was 403, I calculate that to be 34mpg.
« Last Edit: 27 August 2017, 22:02 by Daz Auto »
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Offline Watts

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #1 on: 27 August 2017, 21:55 »
I regularly get in excess of 50l on fill ups, I think it is actually 55l since I haven't ever run out of fuel...
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Offline Lustral

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #2 on: 28 August 2017, 08:43 »
Most I got is 53.77 litres in my R , but it was showing 0 miles for at least 20 miles , so I'm guessing the gauge is only an estimate.
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Offline maxie

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #3 on: 28 August 2017, 09:13 »
could the extra few litres be the pipe to the tank or is that included within the tank size? 
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Offline scanesare

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #4 on: 28 August 2017, 09:48 »
I have seen in excess of 50L on my Clubsport when I fill up with just 5km remaining but I guess it's the reserve tank? Pretty sure the normal tank is 50L and that the fuel pump reads right.
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Offline fredgroves

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #5 on: 28 August 2017, 10:07 »
The tank is fifty, the pipe holds the rest
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Offline Daz Auto

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #6 on: 28 August 2017, 11:05 »
Quote from: Lustral on 28 August 2017, 08:43
Most I got is 53.77 litres in my R , but it was showing 0 miles for at least 20 miles , so I'm guessing the gauge is only an estimate.
Is far as I know the R has a 55L tank. So does the quattro A3/S3.
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Offline JoeGTI

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #7 on: 28 August 2017, 11:32 »
No its only 50l in the R too but I have gotten 51-52 into it from empty... presumably there's room for a tad more in the pipe / reserve.
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Offline Daz Auto

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #8 on: 28 August 2017, 11:42 »
Quote from: fredgroves on 28 August 2017, 10:07
The tank is fifty, the pipe holds the rest
I recall putting over 57L in the Mk 6 GTD 55L tank. So the pipe definitely holds a few litres.

The thing is I have never put more than 50L in our A3. Even when it has been driven past 0 miles remaining.

Quote from: Watts on 27 August 2017, 21:55
I regularly get in excess of 50l on fill ups, I think it is actually 55l since I haven't ever run out of fuel...
The manual just says 4wd 55L inc. 8L reserve, 2wd 50L inc. 5L reserve.

My GTI had just reached "0 miles remaining" and it took nearly 54L. Did I still have a few litres reserve?

Could the GTI Performance have a larger tank?

« Last Edit: 28 August 2017, 11:44 by Daz Auto »
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Offline Daz Auto

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Re: How accurate is the fuel guage?
« Reply #9 on: 28 August 2017, 11:43 »
Quote from: JoeGTI on 28 August 2017, 11:32
No its only 50l in the R too but I have gotten 51-52 into it from empty... presumably there's room for a tad more in the pipe / reserve.
That is not what it says in the brochure or the manual.
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