Getting from E to F (Fuel Gauge Problems)
September 27, 2020
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.
Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson
1901 E. Jackson Blvd.
Jackson, Missouri 63755
575-243-2226
http://www.charliesfastlubejackson.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson
A Bright Idea
October 27, 2025
You've probably noticed how much easier it is to see when you're driving in the daytime as opposed to at night. It's one of the main reasons about half of all fatal vehicle accidents happen when it's dark. That's why it's important that your vehicle's headlights are in top condition and working t... More
Idle Talk about Engines (Causes of Rough Engine Idling)
October 23, 2025
When you slow down at stoplight, your vehicle's idle should be smooth as silk. But what happens when the engine is missing or idling roughly? That's your engine's way of telling you, "Hey, I've got something wrong with me and if you don't get someone to find out what it is, I may not start the n... More
Greeted by a Screech (Loud Noise when Starting Vehicle)
October 12, 2025
No one likes to be greeted in the morning by having someone screech at you. The same goes for a loud, high-pitched noise your vehicle greets you with every time you start the engine. If you're wondering if that's normal, no, it isn't. And it is worth getting checked out. The good news is that... More