I'm thinking a calibration is in order after a good look at all the involved components. "Get gas sooner" is a totally inappropriate response!

 

I always run my tank down, to clean it out before filling it.
I"ve never ran out of fuel, and it runs to the last bar on the fuel gauge, with low teens of range left.
Could be hard to force them to fix, only thing I might recommend is reset the trip odometer each fuel up, and track it that way.
If you can find a pattern of when it becomes inaccurate, they might be able to isolate and find the issue.

For example, maybe the the tank from 75% to 50% is 120 range, then from 50% to 25% is 100 range.
These should be fairly linear, except the top of the tank.

 

I had 3 bars when it died Monday.

 

They claim there's nothing to calibrate and it's s computerized. Between the first and second time I kept track of the mileage at each fill up but it didn't happen again so I stopped. I'm also thinking the tank may not be filling all the way up. After it died the other night, I got someone to bring a gallon or so of gas. The battery died while we were waiting so then it had to be jumped. The indicator went from 39 miles to 38 within just a few blocks. It was at 35 or 36 when I got to the gas station and the light never came on. Gas was $2.55 and I paid $25 which means I only got 10 gallons... Where are the other 2-3 gallons? I'm gonna start a very detailed log to show Honda because something isn't right.

 

I have driven the car over 20 miles with zero bars and 0 miles range. In my hybrid, I have driven the car over 30 miles and 0 miles range. I almost 98% of the time fill up the car with either 1 or 0 bars. Have never ran out of gas ever. Between my 2 current hondas, I have over 52k miles in the past 2 years.

 

I had 3 bars when it died Monday.

Take it back to the dealer and INSIST on a fix.

Tell the dealer that this is a safety issue and unless HONDA is looking for a law suit for a catastrophic incident (God forbid), they should have it fixed. If there is nothing to calibrate, then REPLACE parts; whatever it takes to fix the problem.

 

I totally agree with cotonHRV. There has to be something wrong including but not limited to a bad sensor, deformed tank, debris in the tank, loose pickup or possibly a misassembled drain outlet that won't allow all the fuel to leave the tank. You have a legitimate issue that needs to be fixed.

 

You have a fuel filter & it is highly doubtful you'd get any crud in your tank burned in the engine. The gas pump that you used also has fuel filters on it. Running a tank habitually low will eventually kill your fuel pump. It uses fuel to keep itself cool. Grand Dad's are smart, but things have changed a lot since the good ole days.

To the OP. I would insist on a fix. Running out of gas in the wrong place can put you in danger. I will also say don't run your car so low on gas.

 

I've never had the gas light turn on on me. I've seen it on a couple times the day after the wife has driven it. She has a bad habit of waiting until it comes on. I usually fill up when the tank is 25%-50% full.

 

They say Honda won't let them just replace parts with nothing wrong. They called some sort of tech line and they gave me a diagnostic printout and just said put gas in sooner. One thing that bugs me about that is it says I run out when sitting in traffic, which is incorrect. The first time it happened I was on my way to view a condo in a very competitive market, 2nd time my 1 year old was screaming so I had to stop to get water and make sure she was ok. The last time we had just picked up food and were on the way to a gas station. All putting gas in sooner will do is mask an obvious issue.

 

I would contact them again and tell them exactly that and mention the very possible situations that could result in catastrophic result.
Also mention law suit and a very public unfavorable press of Honda product.

 

When you feel completely fed up and disgusted, you can also go right to the top at Honda USA HQ . Discuss your ongoing misery with sudden fuel shortage and, yes, inherent danger to your family in the car. While you're at it, discuss in detail how your dealer has been responding. Name your dealership with the address included and add every person you can identify in that dealership who has blown you off and ignored your plea for satisfaction. I think your car has a serious aggravating defect that needs fixing. Get assertive.

If you care to mention your intention to do this complaint to HQ to your deaf dealer, you might get some action before escalating. But make it a promise to do so, not a threat.

Although calling is expedient, writing a letter puts it on record with no deniability. (Implied next stop: NTSB, IIHS, BBB, etc))

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Unfortunately sometimes you have to do some leg work to prove the problem when something's not broken, just not quite right all the time.
(I see this in IT often)

I would:

1. grab a small Gerry can of gas, for emergencies until this is fixed.

2. Confirm the tank size, that it is filling the entire 50 liter (13.2 gallon) capacity. Drive till the tank is almost empty, and do a complete fill.
Make sure there is not an anomaly in the tank keeping it from filling the entire capacity.

3. Confirm the gauge/range are working.
Take notes from the full tank every 1/10 tank increments (there are 20 bars on the bottom, depending on your eyes you might need a magnifying glass to count the squares)
10/10 - 9/10 32 miles
9/10 - 8/10 38 miles
8/10 - 7/10 36 miles
...


See if there is a pattern of inconsistency at a certain place in the tank. An obstruction in the tank may be preventing the gauge from working through the entire range.
Personally, I would not accept this, and would keep on them till they fixed it.

Good luck.

 

Unfortunately sometimes you have to do some leg work to prove the problem when something's not broken, just not quite right all the time. (I see this in IT often) I would: 1. grab a small Gerry can of gas, for emergencies until this is fixed. 2. Confirm the tank size, that it is filling the entire 50 liter (13.2 gallon) capacity. Drive till the tank is almost empty, and do a complete fill. Make sure there is not an anomaly in the tank keeping it from filling the entire capacity. 3. Confirm the gauge/range are working. Take notes from the full tank every 1/10 tank increments (there are 20 bars on the bottom, depending on your eyes you might need a magnifying glass to count the squares) 10/10 - 9/10 32 miles 9/10 - 8/10 38 miles 8/10 - 7/10 36 miles ... See if there is a pattern of inconsistency at a certain place in the tank. An obstruction in the tank may be preventing the gauge from working through the entire range. Personally, I would not accept this, and would keep on them till they fixed it. Good luck.

I’m

 

Keep your documentation of the service visits. Research your states lemon law & when you hit the required number of visits required lemon law it. They need to pull the fuel sender out of the tank & fix it or replace your car.

Watch this....

 

Thanks all! Lots of info. I started by calling Honda. They said they have to go by what the Honda tech says and that I could get a second opinion but that I would be responsible for the cost. I think the next closest dealer will do it no charge, with persuasion. All I know is I'm not paying for it. I'm also planning on making sure that my tank is the correct capacity. I'm pretty sure it only took 10 gallons after it died last Monday. I still have about 1/2 a tank of gas before I can check though.

 

Definitely not right....sounds like something is preventing the last 3+ gallons from being used. The tank is 13.2 gallons and add a bit more for the filler tube you should definitely be putting more that 10 gallons in the tank if it was actually empty. I don't think anything is wrong with the gas sensor, sounds like some other issue...my gas light goes on about the same time, with 10-10.5 gallons used. But I've let it go down until 0 miles and still had about a gallon left (filled with 12.5 gallons)

 

I refilled on Saturday night with 45 miles left and the pump stopped at 9.5 gallons. Something is definitely up. After thinking about it, I have only been able to get 11 gallons in and that's when I'm in Washington, topping it off and it was really empty. I stopped topping it off after I read something about the pumps reclaiming gas that you pay for. I don't know if I should go back to the original dealer, or a different one.

 

The vapor inside the tank gets displaced when fueling. The pump recovers the vapor from escaping into the atmosphere, not the fuel.

 

I would go back to the dealer you bought from.
1. Tank who's specification is 13.2 gallons does not hold 13.2 gallons.
2. Low fuel indicator does not work as documented in manual.

Demand they replace the tank and fuel level indicator, escalate to corporate head office if they do not warranty their car.
This a clear defect, I drive mine till the low fuel indicator is on every tank. There is obviously a problem.

Good luck.

 

When I called the dealership to get an appointment, the guy I talked to explained that there are components within the tank itself so that's probably why I'm not getting up to 13.2 gallons of gas in the tank ? I told him that there's a difference between tank capacity and fuel capacity and that I understand displacement. I also told him that all of you guys seem to be fitting the quotes amount of fill in your tanks. I was also able to find the receipt from after it most recently died and it only took 9.77 gallons. Any other advice before I drop it off to them at 8:40am PST?

 

Stick to your guns, you have a legitimate issue that needs to be fixed!

 

Just got the report from the dealership and they're still saying there's no issue. The report from last time says the tank can hold 11 gallons, but you all are getting closer to 13, right?

 

Just filled up 10.5 gallons to the first click. Screen said about 37 miles left and had 3 bars left on the gauge if that helps. 10.5-11 gallons has been pretty typical for my fill ups depending on my mpg.

 

Regardless of the tank capacity, if it ran out of gas and the low fuel light did not come on they must fix it!!!!!!!!!!

 

The dealer attitude is outrageous. The specs on the HRV say it's tank is 13.2 gallons. Dealer can read that and explain how you only fill up with 9 or 10 or run out of fuel without warning!

Any United States consumer just kicking tires would read the technical description of the car and expect a fill up to use 13.2 gallons. What is with this dealer?

Time to go elsewhere; maybe across a state line to another dealer??

 

They said the tank may be 13.2 gallons but it cannot be filled to that capacity because there are components inside the tank that take up some of the space. I filled up tonight with 60 something miles left and about 4-5 bars and got 9 gallons in after topping it to the 2nd click. I'm starting to feel like a crazy person but I will be taking it to a different dealer.

 

That's bunch of BS. My low fuel light comes on at 2 bars. When I filled up, it is between 10-11 galloons with 2 bars left.

 

Last week I let the bars and miles to get down to 0. Then drove about another 17 miles and put 11.924 gallons in. It seems to me the colder the weather the earlier the gas light comes on. I noticed this behavior in my 03 Element as well. This past summer I let it go down to 0 and put in well over 12 gallons.

 

Just talked to the dealership again and they say get a second opinion because they've done everything they can. Major eye roll.

 

I ran out of gas with a quarter tank showing on dash, on the highway during a thunderstorm!!! Honda informed me the gas tank floater is faulty. Part was redesigned and is now on back order and no idea when it’ll be available. Advice was to fill up every time I reach half tank!! Not happy at all. car is 2019 lease.

 

Get ⛽ at 1/2 tank. This running too low can overheat your fuel pump and wear out your injectors.