Well I think I am the victim of the infamous fuel gauge problem. I gassed up the other day with Sunoco 92(?) and by the next day I had driven 40 miles and according to the gas gauge I used almost a 1/2 a tank. I checked for gas leaks or the smell of gas...none. I stopped and filled the tank and it only took 2.5 gallons. So I know there's a problem with the fuel gauge.

Is this what I've been reading about regarding the problem using certain types of gas? If it is, then could someone please confirm?

Unfortunately we have no Chevron gas stations around here (Carlisle, PA) that I know of. I plan to add a bottle of techtron to the tank next time I fill up but have no idea if that will solve the problem or not.

Any words of wisdom on doing that?

Are there any other brands of gas that also contain the secret ingredient that Chevron has?

Thanks

 

Always try the cheapest fix first!

 

Adding a bottle of Tecron is certainly the way to go first. Good luck.

 

Been there and done that with the fuel sending unit. Techron is the way to go. Also I always use all (at least down to 1/8 tank) my gas so the sending unit will "scrape" the corrosion from the entire sender range. This problem usually rears its ugly head by suddenly dropping to empty from 1/2 tank or less. I always filled my tank @ 1/2 and that is where my problem began. If you add Techron you don't need Chevron gas. Any quality fuel will do. There is also a recall to reprogram the ECM. Didn't work for me but hey, it's free. Good luck and I hope this solves your problem.

 

I put in a bottle last night and it is the first thing you want to do. You can find at Pep Boys or possibly Wal Mart.

 

I fill up at around a 1/2 tank and since adding the techron fuel additive I have been probem free for over two months. Be sure and use two small bottles or one of the large bottles and keep the additive in your tank as long as possible before refueling.

 

If you have no Chevron stations near you, try Mobil. I run Mobil all the time now with no gauge problems.

 

There are differing opinions on what is good gas and what is bad.
Shell V Power seems to have good reports.
Amoco Ultimate has mixed reports.
Texaco now advertises it uses the Techron Additive

Berryman B-12 additive ( most autoparts including Walmart $2.79)
and BG 44K ( from many car dealers)
also are reported to fix the problem.

I use Shell V Power and when Stuck BP (Amoco Ultimate) Once a year I treat with Valvoline Synpower Fuel system treatment. Over the winter I store with an absolutely full tank treated with Stabil. So far ( knock on wood) no problems.

Good Luck

 

I agree with bozo4onion. Always filling at 1/2 tank doesn't allow the fuel sending unit to ever reach it's lower half and, I believe, makes it more prone to accumlating the varnish that causes the problem. Shell V Power also has the additives that will help clear off the varnish. There is a list somewhere of the fuel companies that are offering "Top Tier" fuels. I had the same problem you are having and Techron and Shell V Power have cleared up my problem.

 

Was wondering about Sunoco 94 octane (vette99coupe - have you tried this?)? I have no Chevron in Central Ohio, so I always fill up (before 1/2 tank) with Sunoco 94 and have had no problems. Shell V-Power 93 is my 2nd choice.

 

Try the Techron first. Sounds like the gas you bought may have too much sulfur content - the sensors just do not like that.

 

Ya, and sorry to the shell di-hards but from what I read it was "shell" that was the worst record for this problum But like allways if it works for you go with what you know

 

The trick is to never let your tank get below one half...I've done that for the past two years and no more fuel gauge craziness...it's horrible that you can't let the tank wind down towards empty...but I don't trust some dealership mechanic ripping out my fuel tanks and changing out senors, etc., it's just easier to add gas when I get to a half tank.

 

Several gas stations offer Techron in their gas (all grades) besides Chevron. Texaco does if they advertise on the pump that there is Techron in their fuel, so some Texaco stations do and some don't. I think it depends on the state you're doing your shopping.

http://www.texaco.com/sitelets/techron/advantage/

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

 

I tried two bottles of the Techron additive and then BG 44K and neither helped. Now that i've run about 4 tanks of V Power through it, it will accurately read all the way down again. Previously, the guage would drop to empty at about 1/8 of a tank.

-Rich

 

I still have the wacky fuel gauge and I have used Chevron about 99% of the time since they changed my sending unit sensors and have used numerous bottles of techron.

 

I too had the dreaded fuel problem on my '04.

Drove from Denver to Indiana and back last week using a variety of fuels off of I-80, the problem seems to have gone away !

 

This is a true story.

Bought the vette after it had been sitting on the dealer lot for 2 months with a little more than 1/2 tank.

Drove it 100 miles, bought some off-brand premium, and within 20 miles the dreaded "DING" sound goes off, and the CHECK GAGES light caught my eye, along with the empty fuel gauge. The DIC reads LOW FUEL.

I had no idea what was going on, except I had a problem.

Hit the Reset button and did some mental calculations since the DIC panel couldn't compute anything, and then drove another 250 miles and stopped for about an hour, checked into a Route 66 motel, and showered.

Went out to dinner, started up-------the gauge returned to working order.

The next AM at 6am, I filled up with Shell V2. Gauge still working.

Drove out on the freeway, gauge still working----started playing around with the DIC (this is day #2 with the vette), and when I hit the configuration options button, and cycled through it----BOOM, the CHECK GAGES light comes on and the fuel gauge drops to E, again taking all the DIC functions with it.

Finished that day driving almost 800 miles into Bakersfield and filled up with Chevron. Gauge still not working.

I let it sleep overnight, and the next AM---the fuel gauge is back to working.

Since then, I haven't strayed from Chevron more than twice in a row, and there has been no further problem since.

Even when I hit the configuation button on the DIC.

I swear every word is true.