Why Your Gas Gauge Is Sometimes Inaccurate | Greenville, MS

Few things are as frustrating as running out of gas on the way to work and being stranded on the side of the road — especially when your car’s gas gauge didn’t show that the tank was empty. To help you stay safe on the road and understand why the gas gauge sometimes shows inaccurate readings, the maintenance professionals at James Ceranti Nissan in Greenville, Mississippi, have provided an overview of the issue below.
 
How Does it Work?
 
Before you can understand what went wrong with the gas gauge, it’s important to know how the component is supposed to work. The gas gauge system is comprised of the gauge itself, the sender, and the circuit. The sending unit is what reads the fuel level, the circuit is the wiring that connects all the pieces, and the gauge is the indicator you read in the cabin that tells you if it’s time to stop for fuel. When this system fails and provides inaccurate readings that cause you to run out of gas, you should visit the James Ceranti Nissan service department for a checkup to ensure no major damage was caused to your vehicle’s engine.
 
What Went Wrong?
 
Several issues can cause the gas gauge to give inaccurate readings. If the sending unit fails due to old age or overwork, it can cause the gauge to inaccurately display a full or empty reading. You’ll know there’s an issue if your vehicle shows that it’s empty after you filled it up or if you notice the gauge never goes back down after driving for many miles. Your vehicle can also experience circuitry issues related to grounding problems with the wiring or insecure connections. Less likely is the possibility that your vehicle’s gas gauge itself — or even the entire instrument cluster — has failed.
 
How Do I Fix It?
 
If you want to avoid long-term engine issues and unexpected breakdowns caused by inaccurate gas gauge readings, bring your vehicle to James Ceranti Nissan in Greenville, Mississippi. Our expert service advisors can diagnose the problem and get you back in business before you know it.