Non linear gas guage - LotusTalk

David Craig · 10-15-2009, 01:54 PM

I just picked up a 2009 Elise a month ago.

The gas guage has 6 bars that disappear half a bar at a time. I notice that I can drive for quite a while before the first half bar disappears. Feels like I am getting great mileage!

However after that, each successive bar disappears more quickly than the previous one. It seems to be very non-linear.

I'm not upset about this. I just wanted to know if others have noticed this behavior?

Tracktimeplz · 10-15-2009, 01:58 PM

Without actually checking into it I assumed the gauge wasnt a fuel level gauge, but rather a fuel use one.

Now by that, I mean, and maybe my car was different, but I doubt it, if I drove the piss out of it, bars would drop off faster, but if I started driving conservatively, they would come back (Up to 2 bars once)

CharlieX should know this for sure, if he happens by this.

Bavarian Motorist · 10-15-2009, 02:16 PM

Right with what Tracktimeplz says. My gauge will go up depending on how I drive, but it doesn't seem to go down too much if I drive like an ass. The first bar does seem to take longer to go down than the others for me as well.

mrcarcrazy · 10-15-2009, 02:22 PM

All of my cars have done this. Ford, mazda, Dodge, jeep, Lotus, chevy, DSM.

maybe its a

Well I do agree w/ prev. posts. I've seen mine gain fuel after my right foot releases itself from the floor.

alil'britdifferent · 10-15-2009, 03:46 PM

I have always assumed that all cars do this, as you are using up the gas that is in filler pipe and very top of the tank.

zygotesoup · 10-15-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alil'britdifferent

I have always assumed that all cars do this, as you are using up the gas that is in filler pipe and very top of the tank.

+1... all cars do this... at least all the ones ive ever owned, driven, or heard of

Valenz · 10-15-2009, 06:00 PM

Yes, I noticed that on my first tank. Not only is it non-linear, but there's an almost exponential decay in that last bar. My truck and the Mercedes are very close to linear, but the Elise fuel gauge acts like that on my Kubota tractor which has a fuel tank with a pointy little bottom so the linear float does not track volume well at all when the fuel reaches that low level.

David Craig · 10-16-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valenz

Yes, I noticed that on my first tank. Not only is it non-linear, but there's an almost exponential decay in that last bar. My truck and the Mercedes are very close to linear, but the Elise fuel gauge acts like that on my Kubota tractor which has a fuel tank with a pointy little bottom so the linear float does not track volume well at all when the fuel reaches that low level.

Yes the exponential decay. That is what has frightened me into refueling once I'm down to the final 3 full bars.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. At least I know I've not been imagining things.

ZTEC · 10-16-2009, 07:47 AM

The only odd gauge issue I have is on track days when I finish a session it may show 3 bars and when I get ready for the next session it will only show maybe 1 bar! Once I get below the full bar it seems to go pretty quick, It could just be my foot though

Tracktimeplz · 10-16-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Craig

Yes the exponential decay. That is what has frightened me into refueling once I'm down to the final 3 full bars.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. At least I know I've not been imagining things.

FWIW I drove 15miles with ZERO bars

I dont recommend this, but my preferred fuel station was down for maintenance, and I had a highway stint between me and the next premium station.

10-15-2009, 01:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
David Craig Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 67	Non linear gas guage I just picked up a 2009 Elise a month ago. The gas guage has 6 bars that disappear half a bar at a time. I notice that I can drive for quite a while before the first half bar disappears. Feels like I am getting great mileage! However after that, each successive bar disappears more quickly than the previous one. It seems to be very non-linear. I'm not upset about this. I just wanted to know if others have noticed this behavior?

10-15-2009, 01:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tracktimeplz Race lines on the mind Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northwest Florida Posts: 1,085	Without actually checking into it I assumed the gauge wasnt a fuel level gauge, but rather a fuel use one. Now by that, I mean, and maybe my car was different, but I doubt it, if I drove the piss out of it, bars would drop off faster, but if I started driving conservatively, they would come back (Up to 2 bars once) CharlieX should know this for sure, if he happens by this. __________________ 2003 Honda S2000 - Suzuka Blue 2005 Magnetic Blue Elise Forcefed 275 turbo - Sold 05/20/09

10-15-2009, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC/Westchester, NY Posts: 10,852	Right with what Tracktimeplz says. My gauge will go up depending on how I drive, but it doesn't seem to go down too much if I drive like an ass. The first bar does seem to take longer to go down than the others for me as well. __________________ Be an alpha male. Drive a Lotus.

10-15-2009, 02:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
mrcarcrazy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 690	All of my cars have done this. Ford, mazda, Dodge, jeep, Lotus, chevy, DSM. maybe its a Well I do agree w/ prev. posts. I've seen mine gain fuel after my right foot releases itself from the floor. __________________ 2005 Magnetic Blue Elise - "the Lotus" (original I know) 2001 Jeep Wrangler - "soul crusher". If you dont GET it after you drive it, then you dont GET it - serpent

10-15-2009, 03:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
alil'britdifferent English Exile Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Mill, SC Posts: 1,092	I have always assumed that all cars do this, as you are using up the gas that is in filler pipe and very top of the tank. __________________ 2005 Elise: Starlight Black - Touring & Sport Pack Faster, Lighter, Safer: Nitron Sport Pro - Lotus Sport ECU - RTD Brace - Braille Battery - K40 anti-Radar/Laser - 4Tress Bar - Schroth 5P Harness' - Fire Ext'r - SS brake lines Audio: Alpine - JBL Speakers - Arqray Double Tip Exhaust w/ Sport Cat - Desnorkel/Green Visual: Hard top - Challenger Rear Grill - Carbon Fiber; Diffuser, Front Splitter & Side Scoops - Stealth Bulbs - Folding Tow Hook, Bootie, Mircomirror & Buttons

10-15-2009, 06:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Valenz Next Exit 200 Lightyears Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: West Central Alabama Posts: 285 Images: 5	Yes, I noticed that on my first tank. Not only is it non-linear, but there's an almost exponential decay in that last bar. My truck and the Mercedes are very close to linear, but the Elise fuel gauge acts like that on my Kubota tractor which has a fuel tank with a pointy little bottom so the linear float does not track volume well at all when the fuel reaches that low level. __________________ '68 Homemade - yes homemade ; '69 T-Bird Landau 429; '86 Mustang GT Ragtop 5L; '93 Ford F150; '06 Mercedes C-230 sw; Lotus Elise - 2008 California Ed., Saffron Yellow; '05 KG Elise Rebuild Project; 1964 Lotus (Caterham) Super Seven S3 Kubota L3010; Trek 5500; '86 Cannondale

10-16-2009, 07:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
ZTEC Third Eye Open Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,737 Images: 3	The only odd gauge issue I have is on track days when I finish a session it may show 3 bars and when I get ready for the next session it will only show maybe 1 bar! Once I get below the full bar it seems to go pretty quick, It could just be my foot though __________________ GO: Vision Function Stage II Intercooled Bliss with Charlie's ECU magic and Ronin's Tenacity! STOP: DBA 4000's, Porterfield R4! TURN: Nitron S/A's Toyo RA1's 225/245 on Rota's!

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