Fuel gauge precision problems

I got as new a 2012 TRD Offroad, and for two years and a half I could go to gas station and say within 1 litre (1/4 gallon) how much I'm going to fill up. But something happened one day, and next visit to gas station I was 2-5 litres (1/2 to 1.25 gallons) wrong, by that I mean I had to fill less than the fuel gauge showed.

Is almost a year since then, I put fuel system cleaners with no effect. I fill up normally from Shell, Chevron or Costco, regular.

Did anyone have a problem like this?

Thanks!

 

I have a problem with fuel gauge accuracy as well. My problem seems to be in the bottom quarter of the tank. I ran out of gas once with an 1/8 of a tank showing on my gauge and no fuel light on. It seems that my gauge gets "hung up" and doesn't go below 1/8 of a tank or so. I'm not sure how our gas gauges are sitting in the tank but it seems like mine is prevented from going down all the way.
Having said all that: I carry a can with 2 gallons of gas with me and always fill up at the 1/4 tank mark. Is it obvious running out of gas on a 5 mile bridge is traumatizing? Lol

 

I have a 2011 and have never had any issues. I usually fill up right when the light comes on or shortly after and it takes ~17 gallons consistently. I usually clock my mileage when the light comes on and figure I have at least a 50 mile range being conservative.

 

Ive never seen my fuel gauge below 3/4 of a tank except when i brought the truck home When i got it. i like always having a full tank. Does anybody else do this?

 

I don't lol, I would have to stop at the gas station every other day. That is a little too OCD for me. My wife usually fills up her Rav-4 around a half tank and I give her shit about it.

 

I fill up when the light comes on unless I'm leaving on a > 100 mile trip. I wouldn't run the fuel down below 4 liters or 1 gallon left as the pump is cooled by the fuel in the tank and it'll be easy to overheat and wear out faster.

When my fuel light comes on near "E" it takes about 17 gallons which leaves about 20% of the tank remaining despite being near E. Of course I mostly go off of my odometer and don't really look at the gas gauge much as it's all over the place in accuracy; it's a habit I picked up riding motorcycles.

 

Agreed

 

thats pretty much what i do. i started doing this years ago when a friend in florida told me he does it. He said when its full, the fuel pump has to work less hard, and also it feels a little better when ten dollars will fill the tank vs 40. I know its really the same amount of money either way. I just like having a full tank.

 

My gauge seems fine. I use an ultragauge too and can get pretty darn close a tenth of a gallon accurate. I'd have to fill every two or three days to keep it full. Normally I just fill based on my work schedule. My girlfriend never fills her rav4 until the light comes on and then pushes that too. I hope she runs out someday so she realizes it's not smart to push it like she does. Not unusual for her to put in 16 gallons

 

My sisters car is always stone cold empty. Yet she never runs out

 

I also live by the +50 mile after light rule

 

My gauge is accurate but the reading is not proportional. I'm doing a lot more kilometers on the first quarter then the last. Normaly got 50 km more with the light on.

 

Just had my 1st fuel light episode, came on and went to fill up about 2 miles down the road. Still only took 17.4 gal. Doesn't a 2012 have a 21 gal fuel tank? If that's the case I still had 3.6 gal left when the light came on...?

 

21.1 gal tank plus the filler tube if you top it as much as possible. I think the 3 gallons remaining is a ballpark anyway and should be looked at as empty/need gas right now.

 

i just fill it every week like a normal person does...no issues

 

When the light comes on, it takes 17 gallons. With a 21.1 gallon tank, that means there is 4.1 gallons(excluding the filler pipe).
The gauge is not accurate on what percent is in the tank.

 

You let it run silly low, you run the chance of having the pump wear out early. The fuel is designed to cool the pump these days. Don't let it go under 1/4 of a tank.

Makes it all a moot point. Not like any of us live in a place where we can't get gas nearby or dumb enuff not to plan a trip.

 

x3

 

The fuel gauge is Not a Precision Instrument. It is just a rough ballpark of the level in the tank. If you expect more than that you will be disappointed often.

Short answer: There is nothing wrong with your gauge.

 

Wrong.
Fuel pump is cooled by gas going through it, not from being submerged in gas. As long as there is gas in the tank, the pump is being cooled.