I found when the thief gets to your tank the amount usually goes down, then when your buddies try to fool you, the gauge shows a full tank..

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and the owner manual quotes.

However, I live in downtown Sacramento and it is totally flat, like a pancake. Also, I found the question about econ interesting as it seems the fuel gauge seems to adjust itself directly based on my driving style.

Last, I am thinking that it might be the gas cap expanding and contracting in the heat allowing for pressure to build up and mess with the float?

 

probably not...

The float would be UNDER the liquid gas level and would take a TREMENDOUS amount of pressure to compress 10 gallons of gas (for example) and reflect a change of volume.

Besides, if the gas cap is expanding and contracting enough to allow air to bypass it, it would be in violation of Federal Law. The gas cap, if I remember correctly, serves as part of the "closed loop" fuel system.

 

Hmmm. I think I am going to take a video of it happening.

 

Better make sure you have a passenger taking the video, or at a complete stop. Otherwise, members will start ragging on you and your driving habits. (or is that just aimed at those of us doing in excess of 90 while taking photos )

 

Yes

 

LOL... Thanks for the advice :)

 

So to clarify, does the fuel gauge change according to how I am driving?

I kept seeing the mileage left on my tank go up and down--I had started watching it as it seems odd when I fill my tank, it never got above a mileage rate of 298--Today was the first time my just filled tank showed an average mileage of over 300 miles (315).

Just curious if this is normal as I was going to bring it up with the mechanic.

Oh--and if you are looking for GREAT deep dish pizza in NorCal, you'll have to drive to North Oakland (Rockridge neighborhood) or North Berkeley (Solano Ave.). Zachary's Chicago Style pizza is the BEST pizza in the bay area--bar none!

Gosh do I miss it....

 

I am a believer that my fuel gauge is based on the estimated fuel range (i know, strange). It seems that when I have poor driving habits and my econ number drops, it effects both the gauge and the remaining miles on the tank. If I were to jump on the freeway and cruise, as the econ numbers rose again, so would the remaining miles, and the fuel gauge. I've seen this happen quite a bit - it really freaked me out when I first purchased my HHR.

 

This is quite true. The 'puter can only predict the future based on the past