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| Thread ID: 126539 | 2012-09-03 10:03:00 | Probably a weird question - fuel lights | pcuser42 (130) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1298660 | 2012-09-03 21:34:00 | I would calibrate the gauge. Taking on board what SJ said, pick a point on the gauge you can more or less accurately replicate, e.g. when the needle points to exactly 1/4. Top up the tank, several times, to exactly the same point e.g. the tank is at the point of overflowing. If the amount of fill is identical, then you know the gauge is accurate, but more importantly by subtracting the amount of the fill from the capacity, you know how much is left at 1/4 indicated. If you've done a consumption test, you'll also have a good approximation of how many kms left in the tank from 1/4. :2cents: |
WalOne (4202) | ||
| 1298661 | 2012-09-03 22:10:00 | Usually when you turn your ignition on your car will do a christmas tree, where it automatically turns on all diagnostic and warning lamps. Do that and see if your fuel light goes on. If not it's blown. Replace and try again. It doesn't go on then, but then I can't find any evidence that the car has one for sure. :stare: |
pcuser42 (130) | ||
| 1298662 | 2012-09-03 22:51:00 | I would calibrate the gauge. Taking on board what SJ said, pick a point on the gauge you can more or less accurately replicate, e.g. when the needle points to exactly 1/4. Top up the tank, several times, to exactly the same point e.g. the tank is at the point of overflowing. If the amount of fill is identical, then you know the gauge is accurate, but more importantly by subtracting the amount of the fill from the capacity, you know how much is left at 1/4 indicated. If you've done a consumption test, you'll also have a good approximation of how many kms left in the tank from 1/4. :2cents:This only works if your fuel gauge is linear, and 25% on the gauge actually means 25% in the tank. Mine most decidedly isn't... The top half of the gauge is worth around 400km, and the bottom half around 200 (obviously varying a bit depending on driving style, urban / long-distance etc). Basically, it behaves in a vaguely logarithmic way, but not consistently enough for the math to work when trying to predict how much gas is actually represented by the bottom 25% on the gauge. |
Erayd (23) | ||
| 1298663 | 2012-09-03 22:52:00 | Ask your local Suzuki dealer if there is one. Obvious I would have thought. | Richard (739) | ||
| 1298664 | 2012-09-03 23:14:00 | It doesn't go on then, but then I can't find any evidence that the car has one for sure. :stare: It is usually on the gauge (for obvious reasons) so if there is no evidence of a lamp, maybe it hasn't got one. Reading the handbook might help, in the flesh or on line, or call your local Suzuki Service Agent. Mr W. W. Web suggests that it should have a light, and that it should light up to confirm it is working when the ignition is switched on. He also suggests that this is not an unknown failure on Suzuki vehicles, but that might just be Web talk. Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 1298665 | 2012-09-03 23:15:00 | Hmm, I think the gauge needs calibrating. Filled the car until the pump stopped then squeezed in a bit more, and it's reading 7/8ths of a tank. 35 litres went in, and I'm pretty sure it has a 51 litre tank... | pcuser42 (130) | ||
| 1298666 | 2012-09-03 23:50:00 | This only works if your fuel gauge is linear, and 25% on the gauge actually means 25% in the tank. Didn't mean to be abstruse. The 1/4 tank mark in my example is only meant to be a reference point, and whether it represents 10% or 25% or 33% actual is irrelevant. What is relevant is if at that point you can fill to another known point and you have the same quantities over two or three (or more) tests, then you know by subtracting the fill quantity from the tank capacity, you have x litres left. :) |
WalOne (4202) | ||
| 1298667 | 2012-09-04 02:24:00 | Didn't mean to be abstruse. The 1/4 tank mark in my example is only meant to be a reference point, and whether it represents 10% or 25% or 33% actual is irrelevant. What is relevant is if at that point you can fill to another known point and you have the same quantities over two or three (or more) tests, then you know by subtracting the fill quantity from the tank capacity, you have x litres left. :)Oh right, gotcha - I misunderstood your post sorry; I should have read it more carefully! |
Erayd (23) | ||
| 1298668 | 2012-09-04 03:33:00 | I got caught out by a GM Holden station wagon once. With anything less than a quarter tank if you parked on a slope with the driver's side of the car high the fuel pump couldn't suck petrol. The tank had a very flat bottom and I think it was poor design. My current car has the tank shaped so that the fuel surrounds the pump pick up right to the end. There is still about a US gallon/4 litres left when the gauge is below empty. After 180 tank fills I think it is safe to say that it doesn't need more than that to stop the pump burning out. |
PaulD (232) | ||
| 1298669 | 2012-09-04 04:15:00 | I got caught out by a GM Holden station wagon once. With anything less than a quarter tank if you parked on a slope with the driver's side of the car high the fuel pump couldn't suck petrol. The tank had a very flat bottom and I think it was poor design. My current car has the tank shaped so that the fuel surrounds the pump pick up right to the end. There is still about a US gallon/4 litres left when the gauge is below empty. After 180 tank fills I think it is safe to say that it doesn't need more than that to stop the pump burning out. Ya get that with the Generals cars. |
prefect (6291) | ||
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