How to Read the Fuel Gauge in a Car?

[StMorgan]

On the fuel gauge of the car dashboard, the characters E and F are used. F stands for Full, and E stands for Empty. If the fuel gauge needle is at the F position, it indicates that the car's fuel tank is full. If the needle is at the E position, it means the fuel tank is almost empty. When the car is low on fuel, a warning light will illuminate on the dashboard. The fuel warning light usually resembles the shape of a fuel tank. When fuel is low, the warning light will turn yellow; in cases of extremely low fuel, the warning light will turn red. Some car models only display a yellow fuel warning light, in which case the driver should pay attention to the remaining fuel level and refuel in a timely manner. During refueling, it is not advisable to fill the car's fuel tank to the brim, especially in hot summer weather. This is because gasoline expands and vaporizes under high temperatures in summer, and the resulting vapor or even liquid can enter the carbon canister for storage. Overfilling the tank can cause deviations in the fuel gauge needle. Even after prolonged use, the fuel gauge needle may not drop and will only return to normal after some time. Effects of Low Fuel Level: Fuel sloshing causing the car to stall: When the fuel level is too low, fuel can slosh around on bumpy or winding roads, preventing the fuel pump from pumping fuel in time. This can lead to insufficient fuel supply, causing the car to experience shaking, jerking, or stalling. Fuel pump overheating: The fuel pump relies on fuel for cooling. If the fuel level is too low, the cooling performance of the fuel pump decreases, accelerating wear on internal components and potentially leading to short circuits or burning out. Clogging the fuel system: The bottom of the fuel tank contains more impurities. If the fuel level is too low, these impurities can enter the fuel supply system due to fuel sloshing, leading to clogged fuel lines. Impact on driving safety: Low fuel levels can easily cause the car to stall. If the car stalls while driving, both steering and braking can be affected. If the road is busy with traffic, this can easily lead to traffic accidents.

[McLillian]

After starting the car, the dashboard behind the steering wheel will display the fuel gauge. The fuel gauge usually shows a small fuel tank icon, where the needle pointing to F indicates a full tank, and pointing to E means it's almost empty. Newer models often use digital displays, showing percentages like 80% fuel remaining or a range of 400 kilometers. When the fuel level drops below the warning line, a yellow fuel can warning light will appear, signaling it's time to refuel immediately. The float sensor in the fuel tank measures the fuel level, but it might be inaccurate during sudden braking or on steep slopes. I make it a habit to refuel when the gauge drops to a quarter, never waiting for the warning light—especially on long trips. The lesson from my last highway emergency fuel search is one I'll never forget.

[LaAllie]

The first thing when driving is to glance at the fuel gauge, which is located in the left section of the instrument panel marked with a fuel pump icon. The F (Full) needle pointing to the right indicates a full tank, while the E (Empty) red zone on the left signals danger. Modern digital dashboards directly display the remaining mileage. When the yellow fuel can warning light flashes, it's time to be alert, as it means you can only drive about 30 kilometers more. From my experience, checking the fuel bars is key: most cars have 4-8 small segments, and refueling is a must when only two bars remain. Note that in winter, the fuel level may show lower than actual, and the gauge may fluctuate when parked on a slope. Observing the needle's response after each refuel can help prevent sensor failures.

[DiJulian]

The fuel gauge operates via a float-linked sensor inside the fuel tank. During key-on self-test, observe the dashboard: in traditional vehicles, the needle sweeps between F (Full, indicated in blue when fuel is ample) and E (Empty, turning red when dangerously low); digital displays show a fuel droplet icon or percentage. New drivers should remain calm when the yellow low-fuel warning light illuminates but must locate a gas station within 10km. I once experienced fuel pump clogging due to tank-bottom sediment, hence developed a segmented tracking method: refuel every 300km after full-tank driving for greater accuracy than relying solely on the gauge. For long trips, downloading fuel station apps to locate nearby pumps in real-time is recommended.

[SanVivian]

When I first started driving, I couldn't understand the fuel gauge either, but it became simple once I got the hang of it. Turn the key to the ON position without starting the engine, and the entire dashboard lights up. Look for the gauge with a fuel pump symbol or the letters E/F. Nowadays, digital displays directly show a battery and oil can icon, with fuel level indicated by a percentage or fuel bar. Experienced drivers will tell you to refuel when the needle passes the midline at 1/4 tank, because the float sensor has an error margin. Last week, I encountered a strange situation while driving on a mountain road: the fuel gauge showed empty on a downhill slope, which scared me, but it returned to normal after driving a kilometer on level ground. A reminder to everyone: reset the trip meter after refueling to calculate the actual fuel consumption next time you fill up.