I'm glad you guys think poor quality control is a safety feature. I prefer accuracy. And after talking to Dodge their specs are for the light with 1/8 or less left, that's almost 3 gallons. As for the switching gas, I use the same Amaco in every other vehicle I have and don't have this problem.

 

My last fill up with still a little of the needle to go, perhaps 1/16th of a tank and it took 18.8 gallons to fill up. I imagine it would have taken about 20 gallons with the needle buried so 2 gallons from empty is where my Dak thinks is empty. The trip computer claimed I only had 18 mile range left and with an average economy of 15.5 that tells me that is was about 1.5 to 2 gallons off the mark too. I asked my dad (Dodge Parts Department Manager) about it and as usual he hasn't heard of this problem but suggests your dealer look at it.

 

SZEKANIS,

It has nothing to do with poor quality. This type of fuel level calibration is done accross all automakers. Not only is there a 'low fuel buffer' (ussualy 10-15% of total capacity) but the needle movement is also ussualy not 'linear'. Meaning the needle moves slower at fuller volumes than at lower volumes. This has been determined to give drivers a false sense of better fuel economy. IE, if the needle moves slow I'm not using as much fuel. Once the needle hits about half tank then the needle will move a little quicker.

Thus, there is a 2-3 gallon buffer at E on the fuel gauge. If the light comes on at 1/8th tank that means the light should come on at about 4.5 to 5.5 gallons left. You should thus get about 17 to 18 gallons in just after the light comes on. Again this is by design and quite standard across all automakers.

 

Just wanna chim in here;

As refrance my low tank light comes on when I hit a 1/8th of a tank,I figured it's 35 Miles till empty.I've drivin my truck on fumes a couple of times the overhead computer will count down the mileage and I'll be down to "1 mile" yeah I know I shouldn't do this but Hey you gotta do what you gotta do.So I cost into a station and fill up and it'll take 22 gallons so I think it's up to par, in that respect.

2ndly I just hit 21K tonight IM still getting great mileage.Example My work is 11.3 miles from home & it's all back roads,now traveling @ speeds of 35-45MPH IM getting 19.7-23.6 MPG (there is one light,one train stop & 2 stops signs) I get these result without rhomping on it .)
My question is why the Hell is my pipe getting black @ the tip?Is it running rich or am I just looking at the norm?


Blu_