Fuel gauge lagging in technology, in my opinion

[Villages PL]

With all the wizbang new technology in cars today, it seems the fuel gauge is still stuck in the past. At least it is on my 2012 Hyundai. Mine is different than in years past because it consists of about 12 bars stacked one on top of the other. But it's not an improvement, it's worse because it's harder to judge how much gas I need.

I like to pay cash (I don't like using plastic) but that's not the main issue. With all the technology that exists today, they should be able to make a gauge that would give one a better idea of how much gas is needed when going to fill up at a service station. With the gauge I have it's impossible to know how much money to pay for a full tank.

So I have to roughly estimate the amount and then wait in line to overpay. Then wait in line again to get my change. It's not an efficient use of time for me or the service station.

Of course I have plenty of time because I'm retired but I just think how it could be better and, figured nation-wide, it could save a lot of money. (Think about time saved in tens of thousands of service stations nation wide. And there would be more room for cars looking for a gas pump.)

[pooh]

Maybe this could help you. How many bars when the car is full....12 you said? Just divide the total number into fourths....each fourth representing a quarter of a tank. You know how many gallons your gas tank holds.

It's not foolproof, but could give you at least an approximation. Maybe that's what you're doing at this time, I don't know. My Hyundai tells me how many miles I've gone and approximately how many miles I can still go. When that figure (how far I can go) gets to the point where I feel more petrol is needed, off to the gas station.

[Topspinmo]

Fuel gages are calibrated at empty, so at full they are not so accurate. Which means takes long time to come off full and then the sudden drop to half tank. Now you fill up at half tank and you think 8 gal. from 16 gal. tank. Now you go pass 10 gal and you think there is hole in the tank or the pump is ripping you off? Some of the more expensive cars have computerized calculators that tell you how many miles and gallons left to empty. But again calibration sometimes gets screwed up even on them.

[Shimpy]

I like to pay cash (I don't like using plastic) but that's not the main issue. With all the technology that exists today, they should be able to make a gauge that would give one a better idea of how much gas is needed when going to fill up at a service station. With the gauge I have it's impossible to know how much money to pay for a full tank.


That's exactly why I started charging my gas. I didn't have to go in and stand in line and pay first and who knows how much gas you need? Then I didn't have to go back inside and wait in line to get my change.
Use a credit card that gives rebates for purchaces and it's simplier and more economical. I use AAA and get rebates for gas purchases.

[BogeyBoy]

You think you have it bad, my motorhome has a 150 gallon tank. I can fill it from either side. When I fill it from the passenger side it never seems to get "full". Maybe 5-10 gallons off. I just filled up, gauge read down about 1/3 and it took 51 gallons which seems pretty good, only the gauge never gets to full or just over full like most vehicles I have owned. Now, here is the kicker - I have researched an advanced monitoring system and it claims to be totally accurate - can tell me exactly how much fuel I have used. Of course it is more than I want to spend.

My auto's fuel gauge is all over the place. Sometimes it will read 1/2 and suddenly jump to full. Next time I start it the gauge drops to empty. Now I just reset the trip odometer and fill up every 200-250 miles.

[Villages PL]

Maybe this could help you. How many bars when the car is full....12 you said? Just divide the total number into fourths....each fourth representing a quarter of a tank. You know how many gallons your gas tank holds.

It's not foolproof, but could give you at least an approximation. Maybe that's what you're doing at this time, I don't know. My Hyundai tells me how many miles I've gone and approximately how many miles I can still go. When that figure (how far I can go) gets to the point where I feel more petrol is needed, off to the gas station.

Thanks for the suggestion. However: 1) The bars are not easy to count. Try counting the number of ones in the following column: 111111111111 2) a bar may not drop down until you drive two blocks after leaving the service station.

I would like someone to invent a guage that tells how many gallons are needed to fill up and how many gallons remain in the tank. For example, suppose your tank holds 12 gallons and you burned 4 gallons. The gauge would read 4/8. Just like that! What could be easier? ;)

Any inventors on this board? Invent it and become a multi-millionaire.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

So I have to roughly estimate the amount and then wait in line to overpay. Then wait in line again to get my change. It's not an efficient use of time for me or the service station.

I don't understand this part of the post. I think that most people, like myself use credit cards today. I would love to see the percentage of credit card / cash transactions at gas stations. However, as the OP stated, that is not the issue.

What I don't understand is all this waiting in line and overpaying. If you are gong to pay cash, you pump your gas, then go inside to pay. You wait in line whether you have the correct change or not. When you get to the register, you pay and you get your change. I don't see where you would wait in a separate line to get change and I don't see where having the exact change would make the first line any shorter.

If you want to save time, use plastic. It's the future of business. Soon there will be no cash. In fact, I've been to some gas stations that have a sign that says, "Cash Not Accepted". That's how they are trying to save people's time.

The extra time it takes you to pay is caused by your insistence of using cash, an outdated technology.

[Villages PL]

I don't understand this part of the post. I think that most people, like myself use credit cards today. I would love to see the percentage of credit card / cash transactions at gas stations. However, as the OP stated, that is not the issue.

Paying cash is a family tradition. My ancestors, going all the way back to the stone age, never used credit cards. And I intend to uphold that tradition. I have never had a credit card. :)

What I don't understand is all this waiting in line and overpaying. If you are gong to pay cash, you pump your gas, then go inside to pay. You wait in line whether you have the correct change or not. When you get to the register, you pay and you get your change. I don't see where you would wait in a separate line to get change and I don't see where having the exact change would make the first line any shorter.

I always buy gas at the Shell stations, as instructed by my car dealer, and I doubt you can pump gas without paying first. That's because the price of gas went so high people would fill up and drive off without paying.

If you want to save time, use plastic. It's the future of business. Soon there will be no cash. In fact, I've been to some gas stations that have a sign that says, "Cash Not Accepted". That's how they are trying to save people's time.

The extra time it takes you to pay is caused by your insistence of using cash, an outdated technology.

Some people are looking ahead to a time when people won't have any privacy. Privacy will die when cash dies. Your every move can be tracked. Everyone will have cell phones too - another tracking device. Overhead cameras in all business areas and downtown street corners. All of your medical information is now being stored on computer. You can find all of this information and more on a documentary DVD in the Sumter Library System.

[zcaveman]

Doesn't your Hyundai have a trip meter button. It should tell you how many miles you have left and your mpg. You should be able to pretty well calculate how many gallons of gas you need. Just guess close.

Z

[Mikeod]

VPL, do you see the disconnect in this? Your original post states that you don't want/like to use plastic. Part of this is because technology can use the information to track your purchase choices (among other concerns). So, to use cash, you have to make two trips to the cashier. And you want technology to solve that?

Remember that the volume of gas in your tank will vary with ambient temperature, so calculating how much gas to fill the tank based on miles driven and tank size will only yield an approximation. They would have to develop a very accurate sensor that could track minute changes in levels. But what if the car is not level? Front to back or side to side? That will affect the reading. So if you're determined to fill the tank each time, the problem will continue.

Probably the only solution that saves that extra trip to the cashier is to just run the tank down to a level that you're comfortable with, then put in a set dollar/gallon amount. True this won't allow you to calculate mileage on your own, but most modern cars do it for you as you drive.

But I just don't see companies spending the dollars or time to solve your concern because the vast majority of the population has no problem putting their gas purchases on a card.

[Carl in Tampa]

Paying cash is a family tradition. My ancestors, going all the way back to the stone age, never used credit cards. And I intend to uphold that tradition. I have never had a credit card. :)



I always buy gas at the Shell stations, as instructed by my car dealer, and I doubt you can pump gas without paying first. That's because the price of gas went so high people would fill up and drive off without paying.



Some people are looking ahead to a time when people won't have any privacy. Privacy will die when cash dies. Your every move can be tracked. Everyone will have cell phones too - another tracking device. Overhead cameras in all business areas and downtown street corners. All of your medical information is now being stored on computer. You can find all of this information and more on a documentary DVD in the Sumter Library System.


1. Dave Ramsey, the financial consultant, would applaud your abstention of using credit cards. Using credit cards is a pathway to overwhelming debt for many people. I tried to buy one of his books on his web site using a credit card and discovered he won't accept credit cards.

Check out his web site Real Debt Help - Get out of debt with Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Plan - daveramsey.com (http://www.daveramsey.com/specials/welcome?ectid=glp&s_kwcid=TC|6886|dave%20ramsay||S|e|34012869746&gclid=CJnsz-zss74CFS4aOgodVkUAPQ)

2. You might want to re-visit your car dealer's advice about only using Shell gas. That might have been in the era when Shell was one of the last brands to introduce ethanol into their gas. Gas without ethanol provided more power and was less likely to damage components of your engine. Alas, those days are over, Shell has 10% ethanol like all the others and is often more expensive per gallon than competitors.

3. Your analysis on privacy is quite accurate. A person who uses credit cards and a Smartphone is very easy to track, including pulling up surveillance video of their movements.

Several years ago the Secret Service apprehended a prolific counterfeiter by tracking his movements as he spent his counterfeit money in a swath from Northern Virginia to Texas. He developed a pattern that enabled a projection of his movements, and he was caught after a brief gunfight.

[gomoho]

There is no such thing as privacy any more - fact of life in the US and probably most parts of the world. Doesn't bother me - I use plastic for everything - easier - get rewards - and pay it off every month. Now that I can scan checks for deposit I never see the inside of a bank either. I love this technology and how it makes life easier.

[Shimpy]

2. You might want to re-visit your car dealer's advice about only using Shell gas. That might have been in the era when Shell was one of the last brands to introduce ethanol into their gas. Gas without ethanol provided more power and was less likely to damage components of your engine. Alas, those days are over, Shell has 10% ethanol like all the others and is often more expensive per gallon than competitors.
.

Shell is a top tier gas station rated by auto manufactures. Google "top tier gasoline" and you'll get the whole story. What it boils down to is the auto manufactures, GM, Ford, BMW, etc. recommend gas with detergents to keep your engine, valves especially clean. Additives put in gasoline leaves residue that builds up. Those companies that pass the tests, which cost them up to $30k would be rated a top tier company providing that the amount of detergents they use will be found in all their stations that they operate and in all grades of gas they sell.
In this area BP, Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Shell, and Texaco are all top tier gasoline. Popular stations here that are not are Sunoco, Marathon, Citgo, Hess and Kangaroo unless some have tested OK since I last checked.
I always try to buy from top tier stations since it is usually the same price or only a few pennys more.

[Topspinmo]

Shell is a top tier gas station rated by auto manufactures. Google "top tier gasoline" and you'll get the whole story. What it boils down to is the auto manufactures, GM, Ford, BMW, etc. recommend gas with detergents to keep your engine

Could it be shell paying for under the table for the referral? " They" The GM/Ford/Honda Dealer) didn't run my new cars to the local shell station to fill it up when I brought it. GAS is GAS IMO it makes you feel better to pay more so be it. YOUR Vehicle will still require the 300 Dollar or more scheduled fuel injection cleaning regardless of what Gas you buy. I think I try that one the when the warranty required the scheduled injector cleaning. O I use Shell I don't need that scheduled warranty service. I'll see how that goes down and how it will effect my warranty?

[Villages PL]

Doesn't your Hyundai have a trip meter button. It should tell you how many miles you have left and your mpg. You should be able to pretty well calculate how many gallons of gas you need. Just guess close.

ZI have a trip meter button. So you're suggesting I should fill the tank and set it to zero? Then after driving X number of miles I would calculate the number of gallons used? Then multiply the number of gallons needed times the price per gallon? OMG!! I'd rather make two trips to the cashier. :D

[Villages PL]

mikeod: VPL, do you see the disconnect in this? Your original post states that you don't want/like to use plastic. Part of this is because technology can use the information to track your purchase choices (among other concerns). So, to use cash, you have to make two trips to the cashier. And you want technology to solve that?

Good technology versus bad technology. :thumbup:

Remember that the volume of gas in your tank will vary with ambient temperature, so calculating how much gas to fill the tank based on miles driven and tank size will only yield an approximation. They would have to develop a very accurate sensor that could track minute changes in levels. But what if the car is not level? Front to back or side to side? That will affect the reading. So if you're determined to fill the tank each time, the problem will continue.

I could live with an approximation within a quarter of a gallon. And I'm pretty sure the gas tanks are level. It always seems that the concrete pads around the tanks are level.

Probably the only solution that saves that extra trip to the cashier is to just run the tank down to a level that you're comfortable with, then put in a set dollar/gallon amount. True this won't allow you to calculate mileage on your own, but most modern cars do it for you as you drive.

Good suggestion, but where I run into trouble is when I hear that the price of gas is due to go up and I go to the service station to top-off my tank. But yes, under normal conditions I could let the tank go down to a certain low level and then put in a set dollar amount. Then I don't have to worry about it being exactly full.

[zcaveman]

I have a trip meter button. So you're suggesting I should fill the tank and set it to zero? Then after driving X number of miles I would calculate the number of gallons used? Then multiply the number of gallons needed times the price per gallon? OMG!! I'd rather make two trips to the cashier. :D

Not exactly but close. In the older gas gauges it was an arrow that told you how low your tank was. That was only an estimate also. Same difference. Once you get used to the lines you will be able to guestimate how many gallons you will need to fill up your tank. If you do not want to do basic math then I would suggest that you wait until the lines gets to half and give them $15 and get $15 worth of gas and drive away. See how close you are to full and adjust the amount the next time you get gas.

That would save you the two trips.

Z

[CFrance]

Not exactly but close. In the older gas gauges it was an arrow that told you how low your tank was. That was only an estimate also. Same difference. Once you get used to the lines you will be able to guestimate how many gallons you will need to fill up your tank. If you do not want to do basic math then I would suggest that you wait until the lines gets to half and give them $15 and get $15 worth of gas and drive away. See how close you are to full and adjust the amount the next time you get gas.

That would save you the two trips.

Z
But double your trips to the gas station!:D

[zcaveman]

But double your trips to the gas station!:D

Until he gets the calculations correct! :shrug:

Z

[KayakerNC]

Just get a Volt, Prius Plug-In, or save up for a Tesla.
:gc:

[Villages PL]

1. Dave Ramsey, the financial consultant, would applaud your abstention of using credit cards. Using credit cards is a pathway to overwhelming debt for many people. I tried to buy one of his books on his web site using a credit card and discovered he won't accept credit cards.

I have listened to him on the radio from time to time and I think he provides a good public service by encouraging people to be debt-free.

2. You might want to re-visit your car dealer's advice about only using Shell gas. That might have been in the era when Shell was one of the last brands to introduce ethanol into their gas. Gas without ethanol provided more power and was less likely to damage components of your engine. Alas, those days are over, Shell has 10% ethanol like all the others and is often more expensive per gallon than competitors.

This was in March of 2012, it wasn't that long ago and they already had ethanol in their gas.

3. Your analysis on privacy is quite accurate. A person who uses credit cards and a Smartphone is very easy to track, including pulling up surveillance video of their movements.

Yes, and it could potentially be used against citizens in the future if the wrong people come to power. It may sound far fetched now but you never know what might happen in future decades.

[justjim]

VPL, I have a good friend who insisted on paying cash for everything. That is until he retired and he and his wife wanted to travel a lot. Do you know how difficult it is to do much traveling without a credit card?

He broke down and got a credit card. Now he sometimes travels for FREE because of the rewards points he gets for using his credit card. But to each his own---like you said----we are retired now and have plenty of time.

[Villages PL]

Not exactly but close. In the older gas gauges it was an arrow that told you how low your tank was. That was only an estimate also. Same difference. Once you get used to the lines you will be able to guestimate how many gallons you will need to fill up your tank. If you do not want to do basic math then I would suggest that you wait until the lines gets to half and give them $15 and get $15 worth of gas and drive away. See how close you are to full and adjust the amount the next time you get gas.

That would save you the two trips.

Z

I could wait until I get down to about 4 lines, that would be easier to count. Then pay about $30; I think that would do it.

[Villages PL]

VPL, I have a good friend who insisted on paying cash for everything. That is until he retired and he and his wife wanted to travel a lot. Do you know how difficult it is to do much traveling without a credit card?

He broke down and got a credit card. Now he sometimes travels for FREE because of the rewards points he gets for using his credit card. But to each his own---like you said----we are retired now and have plenty of time.

How about travelers checks? About 50 years ago I took a trip to Mexico and used travelers checks. I would go to a bank about once a week and convert some of my checks to cash.

Having said that, I'm not all that interested in traveling abroad.

[Sable99]

How about travelers checks? About 50 years ago I took a trip to Mexico and used travelers checks. I would go to a bank about once a week and convert some of my checks to cash.

Having said that, I'm not all that interested in traveling abroad.

I read somewhere in the last few weeks that a lot of businesses weren't taking traveler's checks as so many of them were fake.

In fact, I recently had my van for sale and thought about listing it on Craig's List. They had a warning on their site to be careful about accepting cashier's checks as they are being forged.

I wish I still had my van but that is another story!