Have you ever looked down to check your car's fuel level and noticed an issue with the gas gauge? Maybe it's still reading empty even after you've filled up, or maybe it's vacillating so much that you don't even know where it's supposed to be anymore. Whatever the issue is, it can definitely cause trouble in your drive time (if you've ever run out of gas, you know what we're talking about). Our Orlando Toyota service techs are here to explain how a gas gauge works and what could be causing yours to go on the fritz.
How does your car gas gauge work?
Before you can understand why it might stop working, it's important to understand how a gas gauge works in the first place. Here are the main points to keep in mind:
- Usually, when a car gas gauge malfunctions it's due to a faulty fuel sending unit. This part measures the level of fuel in the tank and then lets the gas gauge know how much is there so it can properly display it in your dashboard.
- The fuel sending unit is made up of three parts: the float, the metal rod, and the variable resistor. Here's what each of these parts does:
- The float literally floats on the surface of the gas in your fuel tank.
- The metal rod connects the float to the variable resistor.
- The variable resistor connects to the gas gauge via wiring to communicate how much gas is in the tank.
Now we can discuss why your car's gas gauge may not be working properly.
Problem #1: It's saying your car is on E, but you just filled up at the gas station.
You know you filled up - your checking account can attest to it - but your car is still insisting that you're coasting on fumes. If the gas gauge says empty but you know there's fuel in the tank, you could have an issue with the float. It may have separated from the metal rod and thus can't accurately measure the fuel. You could also have a faulty variable resistor or an issue with the wiring. Whatever it is, it requires a professional fix so don't delay getting to Toyota of Orlando.
Problem #2: You haven't filled up in a while and know your tank isn't full, but the gauge is insisting that it is.
On the other end of the spectrum, if it's been a hot minute since you added gas to your car but the gas gauge still reads full, then you may want to bring your ride into Toyota of Orlando for a checkup. This isn't magical instant fuel efficiency - instead, the issue can be caused by a malfunctioning variable resistor, a wiring issue, or a problem with the gauge itself. It's worth having the experts take a look!
Problem #3: The gas gauge is jumping around like crazy and you can't get an accurate reading of how much gas you have.
If your gas gauge keeps vacillating and can't seen to make up its mind when it comes to how much fuel is in the tank, then you likely have an issue with the float. The part may be "sticking" only to be jostled back into motion by the movement of your car. This can result in irregular readings that go up and down all the time.
Schedule auto repairs at our Orlando auto service center
Need your car inspected and possibly fixed? Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week. Let us get you back out on the road! We're located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall and you can schedule online OR call us at (407) 298-0001 today!
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