I took my car to the track yesterday evening with approximately 80% fuel in my tank, and after four 20 minutes sessions, I called it a night. At that time, my fuel gauge dropped down to about 55% full and I decided to get some gas before making the long haul back home. I filled up the car, thinking it would only need about 5 gallons, but it turns out the car sucked down close to 10 gallons. I'm puzzled as to why my gauge indicated 1/2 full when it was nearly empty.

I haven't had any problems like this before, and the gauge corrected itself on the drive back (it's sitting at 1/2 full after driving 125 miles). Any suggestions on what's going on here?

-Chris

 

I'm pretty sure there is a time delay on the fuel gauge level. otherwise you'd gain/lose bars every time the fuel sloshes around in normal driving. You're sucking a huge amount of fuel during a track day and it just doesn't adjust to it very well.

 

this, and the fuel was sloshing all around.....was just prolly all wacked out and needed some time to chill out lol !

 

I thought I gave the car adequate time to recalibrate the sensors. I let the car cool down for 30 minutes after my set and I drove the car to the gas station which was located 5 miles away at moderate speed in 6th gear.

Now I'm worried about running out of fuel on track one of these days...especially if I go on 1/2 full.

 

Well you're probably running 12-15mpg on the track so just work it backwards.

 

I ran out of gas on the track. Well, actually about a mile away from the track. I got 12mpg on track day so use a lower number to do your math.

I finally had to get 2 gallons of gas from a tow truck using roadside assistance. I've learned my lesson...I'm getting gas during lunch!

 

Your Guage is off I'm having an issue when there is two bars left on gas gauge the fuel pump is sucking air. Have not determined the problem but would start with sending unit in tank.
Harry HMT

 

I had the same problem months ago. It is the board in the instrument cluster that is bad

 

My guage isn't very accurate at low levels FWIW.