Fuel gremlins documented, with photos!

[slimmyreed]

I parked my car up night before last with a little under 1/4 tank of fuel, and around 60 miles range showing. Got in my car the following morning and BEEEP, fuel light on, 15miles range, fuel needle only just moved off the bottom. I was already late for work, so I didn't fill it up. When I finish work and head home I am greeted by this.



0 miles, needle hasn't moved. Fuel station roulette is a dangerous game when you are averaging 14mpg, so I head to the nearest fuel station. "if the rs is empty, I'll be paying for about 80 litres!" I think to myself.

Well just over 67 litres later, CLICK. "that can't be it, it was empty!" try to add more, CLICK. So as the rs has an 82 litre tank, I still had about 15 litres left. That's about 50 miles worth of fuel!

When I get back in I am greeted by this!



I know it's full, but the car thinks otherwise. So I drive home, with my range and fuel gauge going up the whole time, yes I was actually gaining petrol for a change!

I got back in my car later that night and...



finally full! It did infact go up to 330 miles when I got in this morning, so I have gained 100miles worth of fuel ( and my fuel consumption has gone DOWN, so that isn't the reason).



Stupid car.

[Rupert]

It bases the range remaining on the instantaneous MPG - so if you switch to that display in the morning you'll be in for a surprise, I'd guess it will be <10MPG.
I'm glad it's over cautious!
Mine seems to like the number 365mi after I refill

[Golffather]

LOL!

It's just enjoys screwing with your mind....and your wallet!!

[Daveperc]

All looks pretty normal to me - for a Six!!

I think they all do it - I've done over 30 miles with the guage and range on zero before now - it adds to the excitement, and is part of memory training, as in "What did it say last night when I parked?"

Dvae

[SteveCuz]

I had the opposite happen. Driving very economily (trying a challenge to get the most miles on one tank) my DIS showed I could do 30 more miles.

60 seconds later my car was chugging and I ran out (still showing 30).

Steve

[ecain63]

You've done 130k. Impressed!!

[HYFR]

You've done 130k. Impressed!!

+1 (although its the car)

and you still got good numbers on the RR....brilliant cars

[kaisersolsay]

Mine is exactly the same so I took mine into Perth Audi the other week and they said they would replace the dash pod under warranty as there is a fault with the gauge. Just waiting for the pod to arrive so they can fit under warranty. Will let you know if it makes a difference.

[RocketShip6]

Mine does the same, when it gets under 1/4 tank, park up, then on your return gauge on empty and 0 miles!

[el_ringo]

Yeah it is normal, I get at least 30-40 miles from when the warning light comes on. I have been down to the last 4 liters once tho

The tank is a four chamber design so it can fool the level sensor immediately after a fill up.

[SimonY]

Chaps,

This is why I love this forum! Apart from some very amusing postings and the occasional rant which is laways fun to follow, sharing all this information at least makes me feel like it's not just me!

I had the very same problem during the cold spell and started to prepare myself for a bill. I think it took 2 fill ups before me and the car agreed we did have a full tank!

[andy71_lh]

I asked Grizz about this before. He said it's to do with the way that the car transfers the fuel around between the fuel tanks.
You'll probably notice that the tank goes down very quickly from half to a quarter as well...

[delboymafia]

HI chaps, this happened to me today, i left the beast yesterday, it was just off the red, then when i got in it this evening beep, fuel guage was showing 5miles, i thought crap and immediately went to the total garage (i always usually use V Power), put £10's worth in just to see me to the Shell garage and the needle didnt even move, it still was beeping at me and saying 0miles range, however after sticking £80 worth in, few the needle then came alive and shot up to near enough full. Strange.

[kaisersolsay]

Well Perth Audi replaced the dash pod but I can confirm that
She still does it!! Switched off with 50 miles range just below
1/4 and in the morning 0 range! Stuck a tenner in till I got to a V Power
Pump and the needle or range didn't move.
Stuck £50 in and on switch on it went to half...after 15 mins of
Driving she went to 3/4 full!
Having had the dash pod replaced I can only conclude that
(a) they are prone to dodgy sender units
(b) the multi chambered tank causes reading issues
(c) a+b!