Getting from E to F (Fuel Gauge Problems)
July 24, 2022
Who thinks about their fuel gauge? You probably don't… until it doesn't work any more. Then you have to guess how much fuel is in your tank, and that's no way to live life on the road.
Fuel gauges, like every other part in your vehicle, can fail. And when yours stops working, you will probably want to head over to your service facility soon, because no one relishes running out of fuel.
The fuel gauge system is much more than just the gauge you can see on your instrument panel. Most systems have a float inside the fuel tank that goes up and down depending on the fuel level. It's called the fuel sending unit, and it sends an electrical signal to the gauge (on the dash) telling it to display how much fuel is left in the tank.
So, what could go wrong? Well, a few things. For one thing, corrosion from bad fuel can cause it to stick and it won't move up and down any more. So you could fill up your tank and the gauge would still read Empty. If a sending unit needs to be replaced, often the parts can be costly. The good news is that fuel sending units rarely fail and most drivers will never have one go bad.
Other things that can go wrong? An electrical problem could cause a fuse to blow and you won't get a reading at all. A technician can figure out where that electrical problem is and how to repair it. Finally, it's possible for the gauge itself (on the instrument panel) to fail.
One thing to keep in mind is if your fuel gauge isn't working, you might be tempted to carry around an extra container of fuel. That's ok if it's outside the cabin, such as in the bed of a pickup. But if you carry it inside the cabin or trunk, fuel fumes can be very dangerous for your health, even fatal.
A working fuel gauge gives you peace of mind… so you'll never have that "empty" feeling.
Elite Tire And Auto Care
33729 Plymouth Rd.
Livonia, Michigan 48150
734.427.3100
Need Service?
More articles from Elite Tire & Auto Care
Keeping Yourself in Suspension (Control Arm Assembly Replacement)
November 17, 2024
When you are pointing your vehicle straight down the street, it should go straight. Thats pretty straightforward, right? Sometimes, though, you may notice you have to keep adjusting the steering wheel to keep going straight. While that could be caused by many different issues, one possibility i... More
What You Need to Know from Your Elite Tire And Auto Care Service Advisor
November 10, 2024
Livonia drivers may feel intimidated when they take their vehicles to a service center. They have questions but aren't sure how to ask. They don't want to feel embarrassed about their lack of knowledge. They don't want to make the service technician feel that they don't trust him.If your service... More
Breathe Easier (Cabin Air Filter)
November 3, 2024
When you get in your vehicle, how does it smell? If it's not so nice, it may be time to have your cabin air filter changed. It's not the same one that filters out the air used in the engine. The cabin air filter screens out dust and other particulates from the outside air so when it enters the c... More