My fuel gauge showed 50miles til empty so i went to fill up and the car only took about 6 gallons of gas before the pump shut off. i tried putting in a few more drops but the pump was having none of that, ie behaving like the tank is full. Turned on the car and it showed less than 1/2 full. i went on to work and later that day, the tank was showing low so i went to fill it up again - exact same thing...it seems either i really am full and the gauge is misreading or something else is afoot. Recently, i had a dead battery and had to get a jumpstart and all my gauges, custom settings, radio etc were wiped...did this cause the problem and is there a reset?

thanks!!
car is the '07 GT below...like my new signature?

 

Is your ignition off when you refuel (i.e. not playing the audio system at the pump like a jerk-off)? That can cause the gauge to misread.

Try disconnecting the battery (again) for about 20 minutes.

 

Learn the four modes of operation of the fuel guage and get back to us
if you are still having troubles.
A shot of TEXICO Techron fuel cleaner has been
recommended in a Ford TSB on the subject....
It could be a $10 easy try fix...

 

#1: i second that
i learned some computer induced details when i tried to "top off" my gas tank, apparently the sensors recognize only certain minimum level changes, etc. right now you may not want to rush things, drive until its time to refill and fill up all the way, it might just be fine then (thats what happened to me).

#2: there appears to be an issue with pumps shutting off early through some model years and people need to find an angle to the pump handle that does not trigger early release
never happened to me of course but plenty of threads here including tsb's that may or may not help, just search.

 

yes, ALWAYS off.

this is great. thanks. i have to conclude the recent power issue caused the recovery mode to be initiated.

good info. to #1, i always drive until the 50 mile warning comes on and then i fill up completely, which is why this threw me.

to #2, i am definitely familiar with that situation because ive dealt with having to **** the filler handle 1/8th turn clockwise and just right to keep the pump from triggering off...but, i have had the car for years and fill up 1-2x per week, so i pretty much have it down cold unless i encounter a finicky pump.

thanks for the replies. the good news is i just went to the gas station because i was showing <1/8th tank and was able to put in 10gal this time, which seems about right...the fuel gauge is showing full now. pony just needed time to sort things out, i'd say.

 

I'd be cautious about waiting until you get the 50 miles to empty warning. The on-board is not very accurate plus it's calculations are based on previous driving history. You may find yourself out-of-gas and will be quick to blame a computer. The gauge is your friend.

 

Another reason not to let the level in the gas tank get so low is that the gas cools the fuel pump.

 

aha, got it

 

+1 on the cooling. Nail/Head.
I never let mine get less than 1/2 full.

The recent price increases in the cost of fuel
has caused many people of less monitary status
to keep a full tank and run on the last 1/4 tank.
This has caused a giant spike in fuel pump replacment.
So much as to cause a shortage of replacent fuel
pumps available to the repair shops and the general
do-it-your-selfer...

 

...which is really pretty stupid if you think about it. You use the same amount of fuel a week (drive the same distance) whether you fill it 2 times, 1 time or 5 times. Waiting until it's low doesn't save you a cent.