Topic: Gas gauge seems way off?? (Read 15300 times)

mjb765 · « **on:** August 22, 2009, 11:39:20 PM »

Ran down to just about empty today and went to fill up and it only took 4 gals. Seems to me it should take more if the gauge was 1 line above the "E". Or does this sound about right to you guys??

Pete · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2009, 06:40:03 AM »

Gas gauge is about as accurate as the temperature gauge. (OK, maybe the gas gauge is 10% more accurate than the temp). But you do have to admit at night they do look really cool! Have you run the bike down to reserve yet? I have not it is good to know the range per tank but the danger here is in new bikes (never had this problem with a Harley) sometimes the reserve light never goes on. Hit the trip meter at fillup and run the bike 150 miles or so when you get to a station see how much gas you need. Then do the math - next time run 175 and so on. Would be nice to be able to stretch 200 miles before we have to find gas but riding conditions etc will temper accuracy. The bikes also have a "distance to empty" odometer function that you can activate by hitting the trip reset a few times at "reserve" the DTE comes on automatically.
Short answer of your question. - Gauge is not accuate but once you mentally calibrate it by actual miles ridden per tank its not to bad. Your trip B odometer (just like the old days) is the ultimate gas gauge..

mjb765 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:40:28 AM »

I understand how to use the trip odometer for calculating fuel and mileage. Also--is the DTE using the gas gauge/float to calculate how much fuel is in the tank?? If so, then that won't be accurate either. I put the question out there since my last bagger had a very accurate gauge and I was wondering if they lost something when they went to 6 gal tanks.

JCZ · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2009, 09:25:37 AM »

Day before yesterday my guage was below empty before the low fuel light came on. I said I had 22 miles left, at that time. I stopped and put gas in it at 9 miles and it was way below empty (the lowest mark on the guage) at that time.

By the way, that was 205 miles on the trip meter.

Seems to be a standard Harley Davidson guage to me........none of them have ever been accurate over the years on any of the bikes I've owned.

mjb765 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2009, 11:17:39 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on August 23, 2009, 09:25:37 AM

Day before yesterday my guage was below empty before the low fuel light came on. I said I had 22 miles left, at that time. I stopped and put gas in it at 9 miles and it was way below empty (the lowest mark on the guage) at that time. By the way, that was 205 miles on the trip meter.

Seems to be a standard Harley Davidson guage to me........none of them have ever been accurate over the years on any of the bikes I've owned.

Same s**t as mine.....so it must be "normal"

Rooster · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2009, 11:20:53 AM »

At least we don't have to pop the caps and look in the tank like the old days.

mjb765 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2009, 11:25:31 AM »

Rooster · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2009, 11:51:22 AM »

My gas gauge sits behind me.

Out of my way I have to pee!

GtreetSlide · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2009, 11:55:11 AM »

My reserve light comes on with 1 and 1/2 gals still in the tank..

jb

Fired00d · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2009, 11:55:47 AM »

Quote from: Rooster on August 23, 2009, 11:51:22 AM

My gas gauge sits behind me. Out of my way I have to pee!

Something tells me you are going to pay for that.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

grc · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2009, 05:26:04 PM »

mjb, consider yourself lucky that your gauge reads too low rather than too high like many have. Mine nearly stranded me on the initial tank of gas; gauge read 3/16 and the bike started to hiccup and almost stalled. Managed to pull into a gas station before it quit, took 5.4 gallons to fill my 5 gallon tank.

There is no acceptable reason for the gauge to be that inaccurate. Have it repaired/replaced under warranty, after you verify that you really got it full when you put in 4 gallons. Some folks have had issues with the 6 gallon tanks trying to get them filled completely. Best approach, drain the tank (syphon), add one gallon and then see what the gauge reads. Continue to add one gallon at a time and note the gauge reading each time. This should give you a truer picture of the "accuracy" of your gauge.

Jerry

mjb765 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2009, 06:13:56 PM »

Does anyone know where the distance to empty readout gets it's info?? Even when the gauge said almost empty my DTE said 90 miles left!

DICKW · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2009, 06:55:40 PM »

Quote from: mjb765 on August 23, 2009, 06:13:56 PM

Does anyone know where the distance to empty readout gets it's info?? Even when the gauge said almost empty my DTE said 90 miles left!

As stated every gauge is different, my DTE comes on when I light up "Low Fuel" anywhere between 45-60 miles left.

That is just my bike.

Pete · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:11:51 PM »

After reading this message I took the bike out until the gauge was just about hitting the pin (no idea how many miles where on the tank). Light did not come on - wimped out pulled into a gas station DTE read 39 miles. Bike took 4.93 gal.

mjb765 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:30:46 PM »

Quote from: Pete on August 23, 2009, 08:11:51 PM

After reading this message I took the bike out until the gauge was just about hitting the pin (no idea how many miles where on the tank). Light did not come on - wimped out pulled into a gas station DTE read 39 miles. Bike took 4.93 gal.

That's not so far off since depending on the bike we get about 35-40 mpg. So this answers my question....all the gauges on the new bikes just suck.

spydglide · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:31:01 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on August 23, 2009, 09:25:37 AM

Day before yesterday my guage was below empty before the low fuel light came on. I said I had 22 miles left, at that time. I stopped and put gas in it at 9 miles and it was way below empty (the lowest mark on the guage) at that time. By the way, that was 205 miles on the trip meter.

Seems to be a standard Harley Davidson guage to me........none of them have ever been accurate over the years on any of the bikes I've owned.

Hey JC, do you happen to remember how many gallons you put in when the gauge was reading below empty?

I'm gonna guess 4.7 gallons.

spyder

mjb765 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:33:09 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on August 23, 2009, 08:31:01 PM

Hey JC, do you happen to remember how many gallons you put in when the gauge was reading below empty? I'm gonna guess 4.7 gallons. spyder

Mine took 4.1 and the gauge was on the line above empty.

spydglide · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:42:47 PM »

Quote from: mjb765 on August 23, 2009, 08:33:09 PM

Mine took 4.1 and the gauge was on the line above empty.

That would be about right as JC said his was reading way below the last mark (empty). I'd do the incremental fill-up a gallon at a time, except at my age I'd promptly forget..

...so why bother?

har! spyder

mjb765 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:53:39 PM »

I guess I will go to the "E" next time and see what happens....

spydglide · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:59:15 PM »

Quote from: mjb765 on August 23, 2009, 08:53:39 PM

I guess I will go to the "E" next time and see what happens....

Yeah, just do like I do and roll up a good length of siphon hose in one of the saddlebags.

har! spyder

mjb765 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 23, 2009, 09:00:28 PM »

I don't want to think about that

DICKW · « **Reply #21 on:** August 24, 2009, 05:47:19 AM »

Quote from: spydglide on August 23, 2009, 08:59:15 PM

Yeah, just do like I do and roll up a good length of siphon hose in one of the saddlebags. har! spyder

I carry one all the time....not for me. Just in case someone gets stranded.

The best thing to do is.......never turn down a fuel stop. I learned that a long time ago.
May sound stupid but it works for me.

mjb765 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2009, 07:00:49 AM »

I never pass one either when I get over 150 miles on the tank

Invisible68 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 04, 2009, 02:01:28 AM »

Quote from: mjb765 on August 23, 2009, 08:53:39 PM

I guess I will go to the "E" next time and see what happens....

On my O8 street glide I could consitantly get 250 miles on a tank...unless I rode her at 80+ miles an hour for long distance. the fuel reserve would go on about 32-34 miles...(suppose to mean 1 gallon left) then when it gets below 10 miles left it just says "R Lo" get gas extremely soon.... I have gotten to that point way to many times... also if you are at 44 miles remaining and going 85 or better... it will decrese 2.5 miles every mile you go....I have seen it go from 44 miles to 15 miles left in like 6 mins... I have also put in 5.938 gals in the tank once.... and no I did not have to push the bike thought I would but I did not.... I should have drove around the gas staion till it ran out...

mjb765 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 04, 2009, 09:41:35 AM »

Went to 62 miles remaining...gas gauge was on the "E" and it took 4.6 gals.

RedDevil · « **Reply #25 on:** September 04, 2009, 08:06:09 PM »

I'm still comparing my gauge to miles per gallon calculations using the trip odometer. My gauge was just above the "E" mark and the DTE said I had about 59 miles left when I filled up. I put in 4.5 gals and had 181 miles on the odometer for right at 40mpg. Don't know if the mpg will be that good once I get it broken in, but we'll see. I do think the the gauge on my 08 Street Glide (with the 6 gal tank) was more accurate than this one is. But the DTE appears to be fairly accurate, so I don't think it's the float/sensor as much as the gauge.

mjb765 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 04, 2009, 09:02:14 PM »

Quote from: RedDevil on September 04, 2009, 08:06:09 PM

I'm still comparing my guage to miles per gallon calculations using the trip odometer. My guage was just above the "E" mark and the DTE said I had about 59 miles left when I filled up. I put in 4.5 gals and had 181 miles on the odometer for right at 40mpg. Don't know if the mpg will be that good once I get it broken in, but we'll see. I do think the the guage on my 08 Street Glide (with the 6 gal tank) was more accurate than this one is. But the DTE appears to be fairly accurate, so I don't think it's the float/sensor as much as the guage.

I feel that the DTE is more accurate also. So the float is supplying the correct signal and the gauge is just reading incorrectly while the DTE is reading right--I hope.

Pete · « **Reply #27 on:** September 07, 2009, 06:23:13 PM »

Ran the bike to reserve. 185 miles on the tank - dte was at 35 miles, bike took 5.0 gal. - not bad...

Screamin_Beagle · « **Reply #28 on:** September 07, 2009, 06:46:41 PM »

Gas gauges and air temp gauges are no more than idiot lights. I can ride 160 miles on half a tank, and then 40 miles on the second half. Use your odometer as the gauge. HD doesn't put any QC in that stuff.....never has...

mjb765 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 07, 2009, 10:49:32 PM »

Quote from: Pete on September 07, 2009, 06:23:13 PM

Ran the bike to reserve. 185 miles on the tank - dte was at 35 miles, bike took 5.0 gal. - not bad...
[/quote

Was the gauge on E and for how long before the light came on?

Snowrdr · « **Reply #30 on:** October 08, 2009, 10:48:52 PM »

Thought I would bring this topic back to the top. Yes the gauge is way off. Was on E this am with no idiot lite and it took 4.4 gallons. Then rode 200 miles and again was on E no idiot lite and 4.5 gallons. Returned home and the first 50 miles of the trip the gauge went from full to half then at about 150miles in the E mark was hit again and still no idiot lite to work with the E on the gauge.

Anybody work this out with their dealer yet?

spydglide · « **Reply #31 on:** October 08, 2009, 10:51:33 PM »

Quote from: Snowrdr on October 08, 2009, 10:48:52 PM

Thought I would bring this topic back to the top. Yes the gauge is way off. Was on E this am with no idiot lite and it took 4.4 gallons. Then rode 200 miles and again was on E no idiot lite and 4.5 gallons. Returned home and the first 50 miles of the trip the gauge went from full to half then at about 150miles in the E mark was hit again and still no idiot lite to work with the E on the gauge.

Anybody work this out with their dealer yet?

Just another 'moisture' meter.

spyder

JCZ · « **Reply #32 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:22:30 AM »

The Dakota Digital gauges are interesting. The fuel gauge reads by percentage.....full tank is 100%.....quarter tank is 25%. Got down to 8%......just don't know how much I trust it yet.

But the speedometer is very accurate compared to the speed on my GPS. Only a mile off if I was going a steady speed and that's at any speed. The stock speedometer was off by about 5 mph at 80mph.

It's a learning lesson getting used to digital read out in comparison to the rotary dial stock gauges. I figure it's kind of like learning to use the heel shifter......a week from now the stock gauges will all be a faded memory.

mjb765 · « **Reply #33 on:** October 09, 2009, 07:15:00 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on October 09, 2009, 12:22:30 AM

The Dakota Digital gauges are interesting. The fuel gauge reads by percentage.....full tank is 100%.....quarter tank is 25%. Got down to 8%......just don't know how much I trust it yet.

But the speedometer is very accurate compared to the speed on my GPS. Only a mile off if I was going a steady speed and that's at any speed. The stock speedometer was off by about 5 mph at 80mph.

It's a learning lesson getting used to digital read out in comparison to the rotary dial stock gauges. I figure it's kind of like learning to use the heel shifter......a week from now the stock gauges will all be a faded memory.

Does it have a miles to empty reading like the stock ododmeter?? I found that to be more accurate than my gauge.

DICKW · « **Reply #34 on:** October 09, 2009, 07:21:20 AM »

Mine goes automatically to the milage countdown when the fuel light comes on, then when it hits low (which should be 10 miles left) I only put in 5.2 gallons.

I think the 6 gallon tank was one of the least effective mods Harley did, I am not sure if the .8 gallons is unusable or the gauge is off. I would say unusable.............can anyone confirm a 6 gallon fill-up?

?

mjb765 · « **Reply #35 on:** October 09, 2009, 07:26:53 AM »

Mine took 5.5 to fill up once.

SBB · « **Reply #36 on:** October 09, 2009, 08:52:38 AM »

Quote from: DICKW on October 09, 2009, 07:21:20 AM

Mine goes automatically to the milage countdown when the fuel light comes on, then when it hits low (which should be 10 miles left) I only put in 5.2 gallons.

I think the 6 gallon tank was one of the least effective mods Harley did, I am not sure if the .8 gallons is unusable or the gauge is off. I would say unusable.............can anyone confirm a 6 gallon fill-up??

6.015 to the rim!

SBB

DICKW · « **Reply #37 on:** October 09, 2009, 08:54:47 AM »

Quote from: SBB on October 09, 2009, 08:52:38 AM

6.015 to the rim!

SBB

Did you run it dry, or did your low indicator come on and then you filled up?

So it's all usable??

SBB · « **Reply #38 on:** October 09, 2009, 08:58:46 AM »

Quote from: DICKW on October 09, 2009, 08:54:47 AM

Did you run it dry, or did your low indicator come on and then you filled up?

So it's all usable??

My indicator counts down to 10, then it shows "Lo".
I was 7 miles from the gas station when it showed "Lo".
6.015 to fill it to the rim.
I can fill it up till it stops, then can get another .75 in it if I'm patient.

RedDevil · « **Reply #39 on:** October 09, 2009, 09:41:17 PM »

I've put in 5.85 gals when the DTE went to Lo....so it's usable gas as far as I know.

Invisible68 · « **Reply #40 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:51:08 AM »

Quote from: DICKW on October 09, 2009, 07:21:20 AM

Mine goes automatically to the milage countdown when the fuel light comes on, then when it hits low (which should be 10 miles left) I only put in 5.2 gallons.

I think the 6 gallon tank was one of the least effective mods Harley did, I am not sure if the .8 gallons is unusable or the gauge is off. I would say unusable.............can anyone confirm a 6 gallon fill-up??

I put 5.94 gals in my 08 street glide......thought for sure I was going to run out.... but I didn't... it was at 3 am in the morning.... had to pull over to wait for some one to come to tell me where the closest gas station was was about 40 miles east of St. Louis.... about 325 miles from home....

DICKW · « **Reply #41 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:57:16 AM »

Quote from: SBB on October 09, 2009, 08:58:46 AM

My indicator counts down to 10, then it shows "Lo".
I was 7 miles from the gas station when it showed "Lo".
6.015 to fill it to the rim.
I can fill it up till it stops, then can get another .75 in it if I'm patient.

Yep.... my gauge is accurate. Seems I don't have the patients to fill it up to the rim.

Takes too long, I did it once to check accuracy. That will be the last time.

There are too many gas stations to be fooling around with trying to fill it.....PITA

JCZ · « **Reply #42 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:59:22 AM »

Quote from: RedDevil on October 09, 2009, 09:41:17 PM

I've put in 5.85 gals when the DTE went to Lo....so it's usable gas as far as I know.

grc · « **Reply #43 on:** October 12, 2009, 03:44:06 PM »

If you really want to know for sure, all you need is some clear tubing, same size drill bit, and some JB Weld for fuel tank repairs. Drill a hole at the top of the tank, another hole at the bottom, then run the clear tubing on the outside of the tank from the top hole to the bottom hole. Seal the tubing to the tank with the JB Weld, and you now have the absolute most accurate gauge ever to grace a Harley.

Jerry

DICKW · « **Reply #44 on:** October 12, 2009, 03:53:50 PM »

Quote from: grc on October 12, 2009, 03:44:06 PM

If you really want to know for sure, all you need is some clear tubing, same size drill bit, and some JB Weld for fuel tank repairs. Drill a hole at the top of the tank, another hole at the bottom, then run the clear tubing on the outside of the tank from the top hole to the bottom hole. Seal the tubing to the tank with the JB Weld, and you now have the absolute most accurate gauge ever to grace a Harley.

Jerry

Yeah I'll do that.........

JCZ · « **Reply #45 on:** October 12, 2009, 06:11:57 PM »

It's easier to read if you get a glass tube made for it.

sadunbar · « **Reply #46 on:** October 12, 2009, 06:56:04 PM »

Quote from: grc on October 12, 2009, 03:44:06 PM

If you really want to know for sure, all you need is some clear tubing, same size drill bit, and some JB Weld for fuel tank repairs. Drill a hole at the top of the tank, another hole at the bottom, then run the clear tubing on the outside of the tank from the top hole to the bottom hole. Seal the tubing to the tank with the JB Weld, and you now have the absolute most accurate gauge ever to grace a Harley.

Jerry

Seal the tubing to the tank with the JB Weld, and you now have the ~~absolute most~~ FIRST AND ONLY accurate gauge ever to grace a Harley.

mjb765 · « **Reply #47 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:30:08 PM »

Now I guess I should go buy some JB Weld---yeah..running right to the store now

grc · « **Reply #48 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:48:31 PM »

I'm guessing from the feedback so far that my suggestion isn't meeting with a lot of approval.

How about if I went a little more upscale and used a chrome tube with a clear window in it?

Jerry

Author Topic: Gas gauge seems way off?? (Read 15300 times)