2011 tl sh-awd fuel gauge malfunction

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Old 07-17-2019, 09:05 AM
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2011 tl sh-awd fuel gauge malfunction

How do I figure out whether or not if my fuel gauge is malfunctioning? Can I get it checked with a computer at a dealership? I normally get 430km a tank for highway driving and the indicator is below the 1/4 tank mark. I'm at 260km and the indicator is above 1/2 tank mark which isn't right.

I do not do any city driving. The indicator does not sporadically go up or down. It's consistent.

Is it recommended for me to drive until my car runs out of gas completely and then I fill it up with a small Jerry can of gas on the side of the road?

Thanks

Thank you.
Old 07-17-2019, 10:32 AM
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So if I'm understanding you correctly, you get about 430km at which point the indicator is below the 1/4 mark. However, right now you have 260km and you're above the 1/2 tank mark. Is that right? If so, I wouldn't sweat it. The gauge isn't entirely linear in it's indication of fuel level.

To begin with, I'd keep track of your mileage (or kilometerage?). Fill up the tank and keep track of the miles by resetting the trip meter. When you fill up again, divide the km by liters (I'm assuming you're in Canada) and see what you get. Do that for a few tanks. If it's consistent, I'd leave it alone.

It's extremely unlikely the gauge or fuel level sensor in the tank is malfunctioning. However, you could try to take it to the dealer to have them diagnose it. Hopefully they'd do it for free.
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Old 07-17-2019, 11:22 AM
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I'm assuming you are using Trip A to monitor this? Try turning off the feature which resets Trip A on fuel. What I noticed with mine is that it resets Trip A randomly, whether I fuel or not. So I turned that setting off.
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Old 07-17-2019, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Nev05
I'm assuming you are using Trip A to monitor this? Try turning off the feature which resets Trip A on fuel. What I noticed with mine is that it resets Trip A randomly, whether I fuel or not. So I turned that setting off.

I am currently using Trip A. It was resetting everytime I fueled up. Now it has stopped and I have to do it manually. How abouts would I toggle with the feature?

Thanks
Old 07-17-2019, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Robert Ly
I am currently using Trip A. It was resetting everytime I fueled up. Now it has stopped and I have to do it manually. How abouts would I toggle with the feature?

Thanks
It's in your MID settings. Use the steering controls and you should be able to find it.
Old 07-17-2019, 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by losiglow
So if I'm understanding you correctly, you get about 430km at which point the indicator is below the 1/4 mark. However, right now you have 260km and you're above the 1/2 tank mark. Is that right? If so, I wouldn't sweat it. The gauge isn't entirely linear in it's indication of fuel level.

To begin with, I'd keep track of your mileage (or kilometerage?). Fill up the tank and keep track of the miles by resetting the trip meter. When you fill up again, divide the km by liters (I'm assuming you're in Canada) and see what you get. Do that for a few tanks. If it's consistent, I'd leave it alone.

It's extremely unlikely the gauge or fuel level sensor in the tank is malfunctioning. However, you could try to take it to the dealer to have them diagnose it. Hopefully they'd do it for free.
I've only put on 5000km on the car since I bought it. I do remember having to fuel up around ~350km where the indicator is about 1/3rd of the tank.

I personally haven't seen the indicator go below the 1/2 tank mark. Since I felt like the fuel gauge started to malfunctioned.
Old 07-17-2019, 02:25 PM
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Heres an idea, how about if it says 1/4 on the gage and the tank holds say 60 litres then you should have 15 litres in the tank. Go to the gas station and fill it up all the way. It should allow you to add 45 litres. If it adds say 30 and its full then well ur gage is not working right.

fyi I dont actually know off the top my head how many litres the tank holds, you should look it up to confirm.
Old 07-17-2019, 02:58 PM
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18.5 Gallons
70 Liters
Old 07-18-2019, 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted by dopeboy1
Heres an idea, how about if it says 1/4 on the gage and the tank holds say 60 litres then you should have 15 litres in the tank. Go to the gas station and fill it up all the way. It should allow you to add 45 litres. If it adds say 30 and its full then well ur gage is not working right.

fyi I dont actually know off the top my head how many litres the tank holds, you should look it up to confirm.

Okay it's definitely messed up. The indicator just dipped below the 1/2 tank and I just filled up 45L.

How much does it usually cost to fix this problem?

Thanks
Old 07-18-2019, 07:38 AM
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I think something else is also wrong if you're getting only 430km and doing all highway (unless you're going 140 all the time). I can easily squeak out 700 to 750km on a tank of 91 octane in my '12 Elite and that's about 90% highway/10% city with cruise set to 110.
Old 07-18-2019, 07:56 AM
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Good point now that I think of it I drove from my house to ottawa, 550 km trip filled up before I left and I still had almost 1/4 tank of gas when I got there. Was doing like 125 almost the whole way.
Old 07-18-2019, 08:26 AM
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For sure. I do about 800km per week and I'd lose my mind if I was only getting 430km to an $85 tank of gas.
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