Fuel Gauge Off

Denali34 · August 2, 2018

I have a 2018 Denali with the digital gas gauge. I noticed when the fuel gets low and light comes on the distance till empty reads 40 miles before just saying "LOW". Every time I fill it up I am only able to get 22 gallons into the 26 gallon tank. I know GM doesn't want you to run out of gas but 4 gallons seems overkill. Anyone else run into this? Makes me wonder if it being digital makes it read off.

Donstar · August 2, 2018

Far better your way than on my past '90 Sedan de Ville. It read 40 as I was at the roadside out of gas! I have long since learned to use a gas gauge as a general guide. I generally try to keep close to a full tank and seldom let it get near the E. My need to keep a full tank in the truck has become more acute for me with the reality of natural disasters.

diyer2 · August 2, 2018

Why do you let your gas tank get so low?

The gas lubes and cools the fuel pump that is in the gas tank.

If you don't keep your vehicles for a long time not a big deal.

I never let mine get to a quarter of a tank before a fill up.

Denali34 · August 2, 2018

1 minute ago, diyer2 said:

Why do you let your gas tank get so low?

The gas lubes and cools the fuel pump that is in the gas tank.

If you don't keep your vehicles for a long time not a big deal.

I never let mine get to a quarter of a tank before a fill up.

Looks like I am not running it low on fuel at all! It still has 4 gallons which is plenty to "lube and cool" the fuel pump. What mileage is considered premature for the fuel pump to go out? What manufacturer recommended mileage did you use? Delphi? Bosch? AC Delco? When I was a technician for GM they never gave me a guaranteed mileage for any part. Its only under warranty for 36k then its on you. If it fails Ill buy another. Thank you for helping me with my original post...

diyer2 · August 2, 2018

No need to get huffy.

You do what you want it's your truck.

wforrest08 · August 2, 2018

My 015 Silverado is the same run it till it just says “LOW” and still can’t get anywhere near max capacity in it unlike every over Chevy I’ve ever owned (the 3/4 ton I could get down to under a 1/2 gallon). I’m guessing since these motors are DI they don’t want you to get into a fuel starvation situation because of the higher fuel pressure and/or the sending unit sits farther off the bottom of the tank to keep the filter cleaner? I’ve gotten down to a science now when I’m with the wife I’ll pull in the gas station right as the light and chimes, bells and whistles, screen message, ect goes off (wish there was something to tell me I’m low on fuel...). I’m with you since there’s still 4 gallons of gas in the tank the pump ain’t getting hot plus since these trucks have a injector pump I wonder how hard the electric pump in the tank works anyway compared to the older trucks?

Somebody should go rent one from Uhaul and drive it till it’s empty so they can report how many miles you get out of LOW or if there’s something after LOW on the screen.

And to answer the next question I’ll get. Yep I did put a pump in my 3/4 ton. When I bought it the gauge would do the drop to empty then come back up thing so I knew the sending unit was already junk I couldn’t justify changing it out just for that. So I decided I’d run it down to fumes and who cares if it “burns up”. It only took 4+ year for it to “burn up” and it did it idling on a -4 degree night with a half a tank in it...

sldhead700 · August 3, 2018

I have a 2018 Denali with the digital gas gauge. I noticed when the fuel gets low and light comes on the distance till empty reads 40 miles before just saying "LOW". Every time I fill it up I am only able to get 22 gallons into the 26 gallon tank. I know GM doesn't want you to run out of gas but 4 gallons seems overkill. Anyone else run into this? Makes me wonder if it being digital makes it read off.

I don't know what mine says as I believe I have only had the light come on once. So not sure if they are so like yours or not?
My viewpoint on 4 gallons left depends on whether I'm in town, or out traveling rural interstates.
Some of those interstates you can be a long way to the next fuel stop, especially if pulling a trailer and only getting 10 mpg...... That 4 gallons is only 40 miles!! So I'd rather get that light at 4 gallons than only 1 gallon, and be walking.....
Just my opinion.

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