How calibrate 2009 Camry fuel gauge?

[BobKnepper]

Is there any good way to calibrate my 2009 Camry fuel gauge, particularly at the low / almost out end of the scale?

The Owner's Manual says the tank holds 18.5 gallons. I can run the tank low and then see how much gas is needed to get to full, but that doesn't seem very accurate. Guess I could carry a gallon can of gas and let the Camry run dry, then add the gas, and see what the gauge says - but I've heard that isn't good for the car.

From the pointer centered on empty, it takes about 15 gallons to fill the tank. That seems to say "empty" is really about 3.5 gallons left, but I'd rather be more sure.

I assume there is no way to easily drain the tank, and then add a gallon at a time while checking the gauge.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Bob

[judge34411]

Originally Posted by BobKnepper

Is there any good way to calibrate my 2009 Camry fuel gauge, particularly at the low / almost out end of the scale?

The Owner's Manual says the tank holds 18.5 gallons. I can run the tank low and then see how much gas is needed to get to full, but that doesn't seem very accurate. Guess I could carry a gallon can of gas and let the Camry run dry, then add the gas, and see what the gauge says - but I've heard that isn't good for the car.

From the pointer centered on empty, it takes about 15 gallons to fill the tank. That seems to say "empty" is really about 3.5 gallons left, but I'd rather be more sure.

I assume there is no way to easily drain the tank, and then add a gallon at a time while checking the gauge.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Bob

No is the best answer. A fuel gauge is just that a gauge, a guess. If you notice when you fill it right up it seams to take along time for it to start to drop. Near the bottom it goes down faster. It works with a float. The lower it gets the more the fuel sloshes around. An you can never use all the fuel in the tank.

You have a 2009 so that tank is clean. If you really are desperate to know close to what your limit is. Fill it up reset your trip meter. Put a can of gas in the back. Drive your average drive and run it till it dies. That way you will have a general idea your limit. But I think your just better filling it as soon as the warning light comes on. Those gauges are just a general guess.

happy driving.

[touringcamry]

My personal observations. The second line from the top is about 6 gallons to fill. Then 3 gallons for each of the large middle sections. At the second line from the bottom it takes about 12 gal. When the fuel light comes on, I have to fill about 14 gallons. I've never filled more than 15.5 gallons, that was after driving about 540 miles, and though I'm tempted to try 600 miles, I am afraid for stranding myself.

[BobKnepper]

Thanks, Touringcamry and Judge, for your comments.

Agree that I / we don't want to get stranded. That is why I hoped to know how far I could push if some special situation came up (late to meeting or ?).

Bob