Gas Gauge Question

[jo15765]

I have a V8 - 2006 Explorer 4 Wheel Drive with Towing Package -- close to 90,000 miles on the vehicle. Lately, over the past 3 - 4 weeks, sometimes (not everytime it is random) when I put gas in the vehicle, the gas gauge will move correspondingly, but the numeric display that shows XX Miles to empty will remain the same. Yesterday, I had 3/4 a tank, but my miles to empty showed 36 miles?!

What could be causing this problem? I took it to my mechanic and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong. If this is about to be major, I want to trade it in before the bomb breaks.

 

[Flag Gibby]

On the 2006 Mountaineer you have to hold down the reset button on the fuel consumed in order for the miles to empty to update. I would think that the Explorers would be similar, but maybe they are not.

 

[1Lonewolf]

My 2006 XLT recalculates it automatically. Interesting problem...

 

[Bobmbx]

I have a V8 - 2006 Explorer 4 Wheel Drive with Towing Package -- close to 90,000 miles on the vehicle. Lately, over the past 3 - 4 weeks, sometimes (not everytime it is random) when I put gas in the vehicle, the gas gauge will move correspondingly, but the numeric display that shows XX Miles to empty will remain the same. Yesterday, I had 3/4 a tank, but my miles to empty showed 36 miles?!

What could be causing this problem? I took it to my mechanic and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong. If this is about to be major, I want to trade it in before the bomb breaks.

Are you leaving the engine running, or the key in the "Acc' position when you're fueling?

 

[jo15765]

My 2006 XLT recalculates it automatically. Interesting problem...

Up until about the past few refuels it has always recalcuated automatically. It's quite a bit concerning, and trying to find out if there is a bigger problem in the works here.

 

[jo15765]

Are you leaving the engine running, or the key in the "Acc' position when you're fueling?

No to both -- The vehicle is off, and the keys are completely out (usually thrown into the cupholder) and then when fueling is finished I put the keys back in and turn the vehicle on.