I have a 2009 Crew Cab with a 26 gallon tank. The guage shows empty but when filling the tank, I cannot fill it with more than 23 gallons.

Was there a special run with 23 gallon tanks? Does my gauge need calibrating? how do i do that?

Thanks, Tim

 

My guess is that your fuel gauge showing "empty" might be a bit pessimistic. When it is on 'E', perhaps you have three gallons left?

Automakers really don't want you running out of fuel, you know.

 

Did you consider your reserve? When it is on E you would be out of gas if it wasn't for that and then you can put in 26 gallons. Of course you would have to walk to the gas station to start with but hey, what ever works. You have a 3 gallon reserve supply in the truck so that when the light does come on you aren't stalled on the side of the road

 

Totally normal.

When the gauge says empty, there should be 3 gallon of fuel left in the tank. Chevrolets have been this way since they started using electric gauges.

Allan

 

The gauge is an "indicator only" and is by no means a calibrated measure...
given the size of the tank you could spread out 3 gallons of gas pretty thin and the level indicator would not detect it...

 

Thanks for the replies...

My 2004 Suburban has a 26 gallon tank and when it is on E, I typically can put in 25 to 25.5 gallons. Can anyone else with newer GM truck confirm the Empty conspiracy...

Personally, I would like to know when my gauge shows empty that it is empty. I do not want to guess on "how empty" is it.

 

Its completely empty when the engine shuts off.

 

Running the tank empty can shorten the life of the fuel pump as the fuel is used as a coolant for the pump motor, that electric motor runs constantly when the engine is on and on a hot day it can get really hot with the heat coming off the pavement....120 degrees plus...