What is the principle behind a 50-liter fuel tank being full after adding only 40 liters?
1 Answers
The principle behind a 50-liter fuel tank appearing full after adding only 40 liters is that the fuel nozzle is designed to prevent overflow by leaving a margin. It automatically shuts off when the fuel level reaches the nozzle opening. Below are specific details about automotive fuel tank capacity: 1. Safety Capacity: Most fuel tanks indicate a safety capacity, which is generally about 10% less than the actual capacity. During design, fuel tanks account for the thermal expansion and contraction characteristics of fuel. To ensure driving safety, a certain amount of space must remain in the tank after reaching the rated volume to prevent excessive internal pressure. Overfilling can damage the carbon canister, while underfilling leaves too much empty space, causing fuel to evaporate as vapor and be lost. Therefore, filling until the nozzle shuts off is sufficient. 2. Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy: The fuel gauge on the dashboard cannot precisely reflect the remaining fuel quantity; it only provides a qualitative indication rather than a quantitative measurement. The relationship between fuel added and distance traveled cannot be solely relied upon to determine fuel consumption, as factors like road conditions, speed, traffic congestion, air conditioning usage, vehicle load, fuel system leaks, and fuel quality all directly impact fuel consumption.