How to Check the Remaining Fuel in the Tank?
3 Answers
Both analog and digital fuel gauges require the vehicle to be started before readings can be taken. The analog fuel gauge is marked with two letters, E and F. E stands for Empty, indicating the tank is empty, while F stands for Full, indicating the tank is full. The closer the needle is to the letter F, the more fuel remains; the closer it is to the letter E, the less fuel remains. When the fuel icon lights up, it indicates that the remaining fuel is low and refueling is needed as soon as possible. Below are some additional details: 1. The fuel gauge only provides a rough estimate of the fuel level and cannot display the exact remaining amount, serving merely as a reference for the driver. For example, a digital fuel gauge might show a remaining range of 300 kilometers, but in reality, due to factors like road conditions and vehicle status, the actual range might only be 150 kilometers. 2. The fuel system mainly consists of four parts: the fuel gauge, sensor circuit, variable resistor, and float. When the tank is full, the resistance value of the variable resistor connected to the float decreases, causing the circuit current to reach its maximum. At this point, the fuel gauge needle is at its highest position. As the fuel level drops, the resistance value of the variable resistor increases, reducing the circuit current and causing the fuel gauge needle to lower accordingly.
Checking the remaining fuel in the tank is actually quite simple. I rely on the fuel gauge on the dashboard every day to make this judgment. After starting the car, there is a fuel tank icon in the middle or on the side of the dashboard. The needle pointing to F means full, and E means empty. Many newer car models now have digital displays that directly show the percentage or remaining kilometers, such as 50% left or 300 km remaining. If the fuel is running low, a small yellow or red light will come on to remind you to refuel quickly. Make it a habit to check the fuel gauge position every weekend during daily driving, and start paying attention when it drops to half. Before a long trip, it’s even more important to check to avoid suddenly running out of fuel on the highway. If the fuel gauge is inaccurate, it might be due to a dirty sensor—try cleaning it or visit a repair shop for inspection.
As someone who has driven for half a lifetime, I never rely solely on the dashboard to gauge fuel levels. The fuel gauge is a basic tool, but I combine it with experience: after starting the engine, I observe the needle or digital display. If it drops below a quarter, I note the current mileage and estimate fuel consumption. Generally, in city driving, 10 liters of fuel can cover about 100 kilometers. When the low fuel warning light comes on, there's usually only a few kilometers left, so immediate action is required. Older cars may have faulty sensors leading to incorrect readings—don’t risk driving far. Develop a habit of refueling every 400-500 kilometers to ensure the tank stays at a safe level. Different seasons also affect fuel consumption; in winter, avoid filling the tank too full to prevent freezing.
