sethjon

2000 LS400

The gas gauge says a little under 1/4 tank, but the dash board says 14 miles left. Which is correct? Recently I borrowed this car, my wifes, and only put $25 in rather than filling it up. I think both of these used to be closer together. Which, if either, should I believe?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

both are technically "correct."

the "miles left" uses an algorithm based on the current tank MPG and the amount of fuel left before the fuel light turns on (so you always have a little more distance with reserve fuel, but not much). if you have high tank MPG you'll see a longer distance vs. if you have a low tank MPG.
1/4tank marks are at the roughly 4.3-4.6gal range for the 98-00.

python

iTrader: (4)

the last half of my tank always goes quicker, meaning i get more miles out of the first half compared to the second half,but....im using "when the light comes on" as a reference not actually running out of gas

deanshark

Are you saying you burn gas quicker when you have a half tank verses a full tank? If so, keep it above half. I think the rest of us get the same amount of miles from the first 10 gallons as we do from the second 10 gallons. LOL

OCLEX03

Sorry for the bump guys but, puredrifter. How accurate is our computer's displaying the avg mpg and tank MPG? I also notice that my gas burns quicker when it gets to half tank, my gas meter drops quicker.

dtLS400

iTrader: (1)

I have a 92 ls. On long trips I noticed from full tank to half I get about 250 or so miles all highway. Then the next 8th of the tank i get put on another 100 or so miles. It seems like I gets thebest gas mileage from half tank or less.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

guys you get more from the top half of the gauge because the extra gallon+ or so that's in the filler tube isnt show on the gauge lol.

98-00 display is pretty accurate on the tank mileage when comparing from a full tank.

Bill Dowd

The more gas you have the less mileage due to weight try and pick up a 5 gallon can of gas then try two of them you will see how much weight your car has to carry so more is less mileage

xtremex626

iTrader: (3)

i have a '98. when i use miles left.. it wont tell me how many miles left when i reach under 30 miles or less. it just says "low miles". btw.. which is more accurate for tracking how much mpg i can get from a tank? tank avg or just avg? confused..

OCLEX03

does your tank avg and normal avg reading drop when you start your car up and let it warm? it happens to me ... it drops when its idling before i drive it

SuicidnS13

iTrader: (2)

I know now that for a fact if I fill up when my light goes on it can take roughly 17-19 gallons depending how long I wait to refill her. Im guessing its roughly a 4 gallon reserve like everyone says. BTW averages 27mpg cross country @ 80mph. love this car-

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

^ dang 27mpg! i'm happy to get 23 city. anywho the reason the upper half of the gauge gets 200+ miles vs the +100 on the lower half is because the tank is baffled on the lower half to prevent starvation of the fuel pump during cornering or braking. the top of the tank is larger in volume vs the lower half resulting in this.

i wish my 97 came with a mpg gauge. i would just use it as a reference however since all driving habits vary. i would use the trip meter as the basis of my tank range to see how much more miles i have left prior to the next fill up (assuming i fill up to a full tank and zero the trip meter).

whit3b0y

I would say watch the lcd, flip through the other options. I'm assuming that the lcd is going out. it should prolly say 44 miles but the first half of the fist 4 is not lighting up. As stated by xtreme26, once you get below 30 it just says low fuel. but that is not exact, your mpg is constantly changing. this just kinda gives you a guesstimate.