Digital Gas Gage

[CharlesBrown]

Anyone know if the gas gage read-out on my '88 digital dash is logarithmic? If it isn't, then I've got a problem.:confused

 

[DaleD]

Most GM gas gauges are crappy. My 02 Bonneville's gas gauge is much like my 87 Corvette. It reads full for almost 100 miles, then begins to drop like a rock. If the gas gauge reads 1/4 tank, no telling how much gas you really have, but it's not much.

My trip odometer is my gas guage on both cars.

 

[CharlesBrown]

Thanks for the reply. I try to fill up when the gage shows 3/4 full. At $4-plus its too scarry to let it go further. But even at that, the tank takes 10 or so gal. If that's right I must have a 40 gal tank!

 

[DaleD]

Yep, the gas gauge is junk, but at least it "works". I hate stuff that isn't functioning at all.

Another incentive to keep your tank full, other than the cost of filling an empty tank, and the uncertainty of the gauge... the fuel pump is cooled by your gasoline. If you run with your tank less than 1/2 full, your fuel pump will be running hot.

 

[StewB66]

"Logarithmic gas gauge" otfl I love it! I'm gonna use that! Thanks!

 

[Tuna]

My '92's gauge isn't close to linear or logrithmic. It stays on full for a 100 miles then starts coming down. With 3/4 tank showing, it will take 8-9 gallons to fill up. With 1/2 tank showing, it will take 12-14 gallons to fill up. Around a 1/4 tank showing, it starts getting linear as it takes 15-16 to fill at that point.

The one thing I can say about it is that it is consistant - it's always wrong by the same amount and that I can live with.

 

[air1jpg]

Yep, the gas gauge is junk, but at least it "works". I hate stuff that isn't functioning at all.

Another incentive to keep your tank full, other than the cost of filling an empty tank, and the uncertainty of the gauge... the fuel pump is cooled by your gasoline. If you run with your tank less than 1/2 full, your fuel pump will be running hot.

Are you sure it is at 1/2 tank? I read that the fuel pump is sumerged until the gas gets below a 1/4 tank..

 

[DaleD]

Are you sure it is at 1/2 tank? I read that the fuel pump is sumerged until the gas gets below a 1/4 tank..

You might be right. I'm not sure. I know letting your gas get low can stress the fuel pump in both in terms of heat, and load. So at about 1/2 tank, I'm looking for gas, unless it's a trip.

 

[tonylong]

I guess I should feel lucky. My gauge's readings agree with the amount pumped and the MPG display.

 

[John Robinson]

I was on reserve a couple of days ago and put 5 gal in to get home. I went from one bar to over a half tank.

 

[LT4man]

I went from one bar to over a half tank.

John, do you mean you stopped at a tavern and then got 1/2 tanked?

What fun is there in that?

GM gas gauges have always read slow until 1/2, and then like a Speed Racer for the last 1/2.

SAVE THE

 

[John Robinson]

You caught me

I did not think anybody would figure that out.:bar