Hi. When I start my car (2010 Maxima SV Sport), the fuel gauge indicates a low level of gas. If the tank is at 1/4 level, it shows almost empty...and starts the visually warnings.

The fuel gauge gradually corrects to the proper reading, after the car has been running for a while. Its freaking me out!

Do you know the cause? Is this an URGENT Fix? OR can I let it go unfixed for a while? How long?

My friends think it might be the Fuel Pump about to die. Any thoughts?

Thanks for your input!

Jeff

 

Are you parking on any type of incline, I noticed that even the slightest incline throws the gas gauge off until your driving on level ground and it straightens itself out. If this is what you mean nothing to worry about

 

Thanks for the reply.

The parking lot (home & work) seems level to me.

I bought the car new in 2010. The gas gauge was working fine until this summer.

I didn't think to have it checked, because the problem wasn't happening frequently. Seems to be more frequent now.

I sure hope its not the fuel pump

Jeff

 

I am almost certain it is not the fuel pump, because it's job is as stated, to pump fuel to the engine from the tank.
There is a different measuring system that uses a very low voltage to measure how much fuel is left in your tank. Typically, this is a ball float type thingy, but that information that I have is perhaps dated. I have no idea what cars use today.z
Ask your dealer to check it out though.

 

Slow or dead fuel level readings were a problem with the early C5 Corvettes. A couple of tankfuls of premium gas plus Techron in the gas tank fixed a lot of them.
Worth a try.
Good luck.