2006 HHR - Fuel Level Fluctuates
 

Hello All;

The Fuel level reading on my son's HHR is showing, 51 miles to empty.
He is driving right now and is doing 60 mph on the highway.
The level dropped down to 49, and then back up to 51.

Pulling in the driveway at 47 miles to empty.
When he leaves out in the morning, his fuel range will either rise higher or drop to low fuel.
He will go from 47, to under 30 miles, just within a 15-minute time frame.

I know that depending on your speed, will depend on your fuel usage.
But, why would it go up and down like this?

Does this mean the fuel sensor needs to be replaced or another issue?

Thanks, all.
Wayne

I don't see any problem. If it says 50 miles left that means you have less than 2 gallons in the tank. DANGER WILL ROBINSON!

Hey, Don.
I will check with him over the week and see what the levels show.
I will post back my findings to see if something is off on the levels or not.

Thanks.
Wayne

That is normal, have him fill up the fuel tank, the fuel helps keep the fuel pump coil.

Those flucuations are based on speed, throttle position, and torque produced.
The computer calculates these parameters and projects what it sees.
Like donbrew stated letting it drop into that range, 50 miles, can be expensive.

One of the most useless readings that GM put in the info center. Look at the actual fuel gauge. It is going to be right at empty ("E") And most likely the Low Fuel message is displayed and dinging.
In other words. Fill it up.

The fuel gauge in our 2018 Terrain is really off compared to our 2011 HHR , when it reads a 1/4 tank , I fill it up it takes about 6 gallons , it’s a 14.6 gallon tank! The dealership says they don’t have a fix for it!

Oldblue. My old Dodge truck isn't very accurate either. I get 200 miles from Full to 1/2 tank. Only get 100 miles from 1/2 to empty. It doesn't even move off of the Full mark till I've gone about 80 miles.

I have literally, coasted to a stop at the pump. The miles to go is brutally accurate. But you have to remember it is based on dynamic readings; for a real shocker watch the current MPG on a hilly stretch of Interstate. It will go from 0 MPG uphill to 99 MPG downhill.

Thanks, everyone.
I asked my son what the needle was sitting on when it does its messages.

That sounds like a floating needle to me, but then again, I don't own one of these cars, so I will let you all tell me what you think this could be.