how does reserve gas gauge get it's reading
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 194
how does reserve gas gauge get it's reading
I work at 1200 ft elevation. I live at 4000 ft elevation. The ride is 18 miles one way.
When left work gauge said I had 48 miles of gas left. When I got home, it read 12 miles. The next morning when I left it read 12 miles, as I dropped in elevation it started increasing. By the time, I got to work it was reading 12 miles left.
The gauge is fine and it has happened several times so I know it is altitude related but I am having trouble wrapping my small brain around it. I know things expand as you gain elevation, so shouldn't it read more, not less.
I am not loosing any sleep over it, but I am curious.
When left work gauge said I had 48 miles of gas left. When I got home, it read 12 miles. The next morning when I left it read 12 miles, as I dropped in elevation it started increasing. By the time, I got to work it was reading 12 miles left.
The gauge is fine and it has happened several times so I know it is altitude related but I am having trouble wrapping my small brain around it. I know things expand as you gain elevation, so shouldn't it read more, not less.
I am not loosing any sleep over it, but I am curious.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 123
From: Meridian, Idaho
That's weird I am at 2200 elevation and the Rocky mountains are all around us. Very easy to go to 8000 feet and more quickly. Never had a problem with gauge. But then again I try not to let it get under a half a tank.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
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So I rode 18 miles and used no gas? 12 miles of gas left in tank according to gauge when i left home. 12 miles of gas left in tank according to gauge when I got to work after traveling 18 miles.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 123
From: Meridian, Idaho
As well you should have your eyes on the road mister not on the gauge.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 33
From: East Alton, IL
that range is an estimate of recent fuel usage and current fuel left in the tank. So it's not gospel it is an estimate. I have found that mine is pretty accurate estimate of range left in that tank. But it does constantly change depending on fuel left in the tank and present fuel usage. So going uphill it will read less. Cruising around town it will read less. Put it on the highway and it stops going down sometimes. I've actually seen mine go up. Just last weekend I left for about a 20 mi ride. It said I had about 76 miles range. Because it was all highway and level I went 21 miles and it said I had 68 miles range. Hey it's a guess at best by a computer. What do you expect? This ain't F1 or NASCAR.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
When the gas light comes at 40 or so miles, the gas station is my next stop. I am not gonna be the one walkin because it said I had 10 miles left,lol. I dont trust the gauges as far as I can throw em.
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