Fuel Gauge is Acting Up
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1,072
Fuel Gauge is Acting Up
Pulled in to gas station today with 1/2 of a tank and 250 miles to empty on the gauge. Filled her up and drove off. Gauge still said 1/2 of a tank and 250 miles to empty. It was bothering me so I pulled in to a station a couple of miles down the road and pumped more gas. It only took .25 gallons so I know the tank is full. As I drove ten or 15 miles the miles to empty climbed 1 or 2 miles very slowly and the gauge slowly moved towards full. It took the whole ride home to get the gauge to accurately reflect a full tank of gas. Has anybody had this issue? Thanks, Sam
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 39
From: NJ
Here is a previous post with a similar fuel gauge issue.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ess-today.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ess-today.html
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,934
Likes: 12,346
From: NE South Carolina
Pulled in to gas station today with 1/2 of a tank and 250 miles to empty on the gauge. Filled her up and drove off. Gauge still said 1/2 of a tank and 250 miles to empty. It was bothering me so I pulled in to a station a couple of miles down the road and pumped more gas. It only took .25 gallons so I know the tank is full. As I drove ten or 15 miles the miles to empty climbed 1 or 2 miles very slowly and the gauge slowly moved towards full. It took the whole ride home to get the gauge to accurately reflect a full tank of gas. Has anybody had this issue? Thanks, Sam
1st fuel gauge issues with a C8 I have seen ( @Samuel Clemens your's is the 2nd!!) . But was a common complaint with C7s. One As recall was well documented with a Gal who always used Top Tier gas. She used her Vette a lot and after some miles the gas gauge was errtic. Dealer put two bottles of the GM fuel cleaner that fixed the issue
Still listed in 2025 Owner's Manual:
Fuel Additives
If your country does not have TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to the
vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at every oil
change or 15 000 km (9,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
This is Listed as a Techron Benefits: Clean, restore and protect the entire fuel system, including sulfur-contaminated fuel gauge sensors
After reading when I had my C7s I started to add a bottle of Techron about 3 time/year as I still do with my C8s. Chevron had the patents on the additive product and put in their gas. It was the the 1st Top Tier as I ecall and BMW said to use. Others bought from them, paid a royalty if making their own, and bu now have their own. I felt the concentrated amount added works to clean the injectors as well as help the sender.
GM product may be relabeled Techron, same-shaped bottle. Can't tell from SDS Sheets.
The issue is the silver contacts on fuel sender resistor. It tarnishes in the presence of any sulfur. In fact, your silverware tarnishes with sulfur in the air. It was also thought cars that are stored don't get the 'Washing Action" when the car is moving and contributed to the cause. Why the recommendation of only storing with 1/4 tank as the resistor section is toward the tank top.
Key Causes of Silver Tarnish:
- Atmospheric Sulfur: Sulfur gases from pollution, fuel, and natural sources react with silver to create a dark, dull film.
When that gal had ~100,000 miles she had to have the sender replaced. Don't think this Pic is from her she mentioned the drivetrain having to be lowered. In the C7 to replace the sender (which is not that expensive), because of the large hose going from the left tank to right side tank the WHOLE DRIVETRAIN HAS TO BE REMOVED TO DROP THE TANKS. Not sure what the procedure is for the C8.
PS: Just added a bottle of Techron the other day when I filled up!
@Samuel Clemens BOTTOM LINE
I'd add two bottles of Techron next time you add gas. Can't hurt.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1,072
Originally Posted by TrevVette;[url=tel:1609509150
1609509150[/url]]Here is a previous post with a similar fuel gauge issue.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ess-today.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ess-today.html
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1,072
1st fuel gauge issues with a C8 I have seen ( @Samuel Clemens your's is the 2nd!!) .
@Samuel Clemens BOTTOM LINE
I'd add two bottles of Techron next time you add gas. Can't hurt.[/QUOTE]
Thanks JerryU, I’ll add some Techron. It is great stuff. Sam
@Samuel Clemens BOTTOM LINE
I'd add two bottles of Techron next time you add gas. Can't hurt.[/QUOTE]
Thanks JerryU, I’ll add some Techron. It is great stuff. Sam
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,934
Likes: 12,346
From: NE South Carolina
1st fuel gauge issues with a C8 I have seen ( @Samuel Clemens your's is the 2nd!!) .
@Samuel Clemens BOTTOM LINE
I'd add two bottles of Techron next time you add gas. Can't hurt.
@Samuel Clemens BOTTOM LINE
I'd add two bottles of Techron next time you add gas. Can't hurt.
FWIW when I saw the gal with the C7 who always used top Tier gas and still had the fuel gauge issue AND it was fixed by the dealer putting two bottles of the GM equivalent I started using in my C7.
When at ~100,000 miles she said she had a new fuel sender installed and was sick when she saw her whole drive train on the ground to install (and paid for) just reinforced me continuing. Partly for the fuel sender and can't hurt to keep those tiny holes in the Direct Injector Nozzles Tip Top Clean!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 2,323
From: Simi Valley, CA
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Sam, the same thing happened to me two fill-ups ago. Also a 2022 C8, also at Costco. I was suspecting a fuel sensor problem and decided to wait for one more tank before taking it in. The next fill-up everything was back to normal. Since the gauge bounced right up to full that time, and Costco IS a top tier fuel, I'm not thinking a fuel problem at this time. I'm going to be due for another tank this week - not sure what to expect. Hopefully it was a one-time problem on mine and yours!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,832
Likes: 2,151
From: Kelso, Wa
Interestingly, the same thing happened to me filling up my Fiesta ST at Costco.... hmmm.... it resolved itself next tank.
Other than an occasional tank from Costco, I only use Chevron premium in all my cars.
Other than an occasional tank from Costco, I only use Chevron premium in all my cars.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 451
Likes: 228
From: Pacific Northwest
Anyone have comments about the above post with the factory recommendation of adding the GM/Techron additive once per oil change if you can't get top tier fuel at every fill up?
Seem like a bottle every third fill up would be sufficient.
And a related issue...what's the GM and forum consensus on none thanks premium? I can get it for less than Top Tier. It has a similar octane rating than premium
Seem like a bottle every third fill up would be sufficient.
And a related issue...what's the GM and forum consensus on none thanks premium? I can get it for less than Top Tier. It has a similar octane rating than premium
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,362
Likes: 8,518
Anyone have comments about the above post with the factory recommendation of adding the GM/Techron additive once per oil change if you can't get top tier fuel at every fill up?
Seem like a bottle every third fill up would be sufficient.
And a related issue...what's the GM and forum consensus on none thanks premium? I can get it for less than Top Tier. It has a similar octane rating than premium
Seem like a bottle every third fill up would be sufficient.
And a related issue...what's the GM and forum consensus on none thanks premium? I can get it for less than Top Tier. It has a similar octane rating than premium
???? What is "none thanks premium"?
I don't know what the "consensus" is regarding fuel requirements, but the manual wants a minimum of 91 octane and Top Tier is preferred. If a station is selling Top Tier certified fuel, then all grades sold at that station are Top Tier.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,060
Likes: 24,730
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I add Techron about twice a year - thankfully no fuel system issues so far but as stated, it certainly can’t hurt to use it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 7,078
Likes: 1,546
From: Florida
Pro
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 635
Likes: 290
From: About an hour north west of Albany, NY
Mines been in winter storage pretty much since it happened to me last fall. Not sure if I put anymore gas in it yet since it happened. Still in storage for another week or two, but I'll defintely look into the Techron when it comes out of storage. I use 93 octane from Mobil most of the time.
Last edited by Revmanii; Mar 18, 2026 at 11:08 AM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,934
Likes: 12,346
From: NE South Carolina
Anyone have comments about the above post with the factory recommendation of adding the GM/Techron additive once per oil change if you can't get top tier fuel at every fill up?
Seem like a bottle every third fill up would be sufficient.
And a related issue...what's the GM and forum consensus on none thanks premium? I can get it for less than Top Tier. It has a similar octane rating than premium
Seem like a bottle every third fill up would be sufficient.
And a related issue...what's the GM and forum consensus on none thanks premium? I can get it for less than Top Tier. It has a similar octane rating than premium
Quoting Chevron re Techron: "Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner is recommended for use every season (winter, fall, spring, summer) or right before an oil change with no more than two treatments between oil changes."
I have using a bottle of Techron since my 1st C7 in ~2014 for now for 12 years as have had 4 Vettes and ONLY Vettes as my DD. I was using ~4 times/year but have backed off to 3 times/year. But always add just before I fill up so it's thoroughly mixed in a full tank. But a bit curious why Techron has backed off to max twice between oil changes. Should be like drugs with warnings of effects of overuse!
SIDEBAR
In my case been using non Top Tier gas for ~8 years. We don't have a Costco, only Sam's Club and now Buc-ee's. Both sell Premium, 93 octane in our area that is NOT Top Tier. 93 octane is often $0.50/gallon cheaper than Top Tier around here. AND Sam's only sells 87 and 93 octane, is always busy and IMO have a better chance of getting fresh gas and not "stuff" sitting long times in the stations 93 octane gas tank possibly accumulating "crud" from tank etc.!
The EPA requires a minimum amount, referred to as "LOA" of cleaning additive. Trying to find out how it compares via Google etc not effective as search engines are using Top Tier biased info. Everything talks about "Studies" of residual left on intake valves comparing Top Tier with Non Top Tier. That is BS with DI as NO gas passes over the back of intake valves! Top Tier started in 2004 before wide use of DI (Corvette started DI in 2014.) The EPA requires a minimum amount of cleaning additives BUT hard to get a value in terms of oz/gallon as it's a test of effectiveness that must be made.
I did find Top Tier adds about 1 oz/10 gallon (Max 2oz/15 gallons) of gas. A 20 OZ bottle of Techron is 10 oz/gallon. So is far more concentrated than what is in Top Tier gasoline. Since with DI it has no effect on intake valve backs, which is why it was developed, it does help keep injectors and to some degree combustion chambers clean. IMO a much higher concentration "occasionally" achieved by adding a bottle could be more effective for those areas. Perhaps with the combined Port Injection AND DI in the new 6.7 small block it could be more effective on the backs of intake valves where SOME PCV crankcase blowby passes. BUT GM has reduced the amount of PCV "stuff" entering the intake manifold in later C7 Dry Sumps (where I measured in cut in half or more from my 2014 C7 Z51 dry sump to my 2017 Grand Sport) and appears even more in the C8!
These ads stopped as with DI NO GAS passes over the backs of Intake Valves! I have been adding a bottle of Techron several times/year since ~2014, initially to avoid fuel sending unit comminated with silver sulfide residual that causes electrical resistance on the fuel level sander and erratic readings.
Last edited by JerryU; Mar 16, 2026 at 09:09 AM.
