I was driving today with 1 bar left of the fuel gauge. Anyways, I was on the freeway and couldn't find the nearest gas station for about 5 miles. The odometer reads 215 miles. I don't know have much longer I could go on before the fuel tank is completely empty. The light didn't come on for until 217. I was concerned because I don't know how much farther I can go before the car dies on me. Anyways, the next thing happened was a series of beeps that scared the hell out of me. I struggled to look for a gas station and the closest one was Shell. I always use Chevron for my car but this time I guess I could make an exception given the circumstance. I got it fillled up and turned the key to on but the fuel light was still on and that 1 bar was still there. I shut the car off for a bit and then turned it back on and the fuel light and that 1 bar was still there. I didn't know what happed so I checked my receipt to make sure they put enough gas in the car. Sure enough it says 13 gallons (I might be off by a few). I started driving and the light stayed on until about 0.5 mile and the bar starting to go back up to 1/4 full and then 1/2 half. I'll check it again tomorrow. My question is, has anyone run into this problem before. Why does my car do that? Is it mad at me for not giving it gas when the fuel was low? Please reassure me that everything is ok. Sorry for the long post. I'm gonna go and drink some cristal now

 

Yes I've seen the same. It will come back.

 

I've never seen such, and have no clue what goes on there.

 

Tanks still use floats? maybe it got stuck?

 

i've had screwy gas gauge readings with shell before. i refuse to use their gas anymore

 

One more thing I forgot to add, not that it would make any difference. I saw a note by the pump, it says 'ethanol being added from Nov 1 to feb 2'. Would this contribute to the problem mentioned above?

 

I notice sometimes that it takes some time for the bars to go to the full position.

 

Weird, no matter how low I go (even when the gas light comes on) after I fill up the gas gauge pops up to where it is supposed to be.

 

I have had a couple of instances after filling up where the gas gauge would not read full after filling the tank. On both occasions, it corrected itself within a few minutes.

 

Shell brand has absolutely nothing to do with this problem.
I have never had this happen either.