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2013-2015 Fuel Gauge operation- operational details

18K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  greentraverse  
#1 ·
Fuel Gauge Operation
September 18, 2014

There may be some questions from owners about fuel gauge operation on 2013-2015 Acadia, Enclave and Traverse models. (Fig. 12)
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The fuel gauge will read full when there is 19.8–21.8 gallons (75–82.5 L) in the fuel tank. When the fuel tank is more than 15 percent full, the ECM uses the signal circuit of the fuel level sender to calculate the remaining fuel level percent in the fuel tank.



Once the fuel level drops below 15 percent, the ECM switches to a Low Volume Fuel Consumption mode and stops using the fuel sender reading. The remaining fuel level is calculated based on fuel injector pulses. This is done to reduce gauge fluctuation due to sloshing fuel.



When refueling the vehicle, enough fuel must be added to bring the fuel level to 18 percent or more in order for the system to exit Low Volume Fuel Consumption mode. If only a small amount of fuel is added and the fuel level does not reach 18 percent, the fuel gauge needle will not move.



TIP: The fuel level must be more than 8 percent in order for the Remote Start system to operate.



On 2013-2014 models, the low fuel warning message displays when there is approximately 1.7 gallons (6.4 L) left in the fuel tank. The range accuracy for miles remaining depends on driving conditions. For example, steady driving with the fuel level below a quarter tank tends to average higher remaining miles than stop-and-go driving. The miles to empty fuel range reading should not be relied upon as an absolute indication.



To help address this situation on 2015 models, the low fuel warning message will display when there is approximately 2.5 gallons (9.5 L) left in the fuel tank.



During fuel system diagnosis, the fuel system can be forced into fast filtering mode by driving the vehicle at more than 2 mph (3.2 km/h), and then placing the shift lever into Park or Neutral for more than 45 seconds. After 45 seconds, the system will command the fuel gauge to display the current fuel level.
 
#2 ·
During fuel system diagnosis, the fuel system can be forced into fast filtering mode by driving the vehicle at more than 2 mph (3.2 km/h), and then placing the shift lever into Park or Neutral for more than 45 seconds.
I hope you meant to say "STOP after going more than 2mph and THEN put the shift lever into Park." I think you would break the parking pawl if you did this at 2mph (or more).
 
#3 ·
greentraverse said:
I hope you meant to say "STOP after going more than 2mph and THEN put the shift lever into Park." I think you would break the parking pawl if you did this at 2mph (or more).

I didnt type the above-- but I thought the same...

on a side note---
someone on the Enclave forum said that during the factory tour- they drive the car- and then pop it into Park before its stopped moving....
...ill see if I can find that reference.
 
#4 ·
That's true...I went on the factory tour. They drive each lambda off the line up to about 7-10MPH, then they put the transmission in park. The lambda makes an awful clicking sound until it slow down enough for the pin to engage. The wheels lock up and the lambda jolts to a stop.

Definitely not something I would repeat with my Traverse.
 
#5 ·
Quantum said:
That's true...I went on the factory tour. They drive each lambda off the line up to about 7-10MPH, then they put the transmission in park. The lambda makes an awful clicking sound until it slow down enough for the pin to engage. The wheels lock up and the lambda jolts to a stop.

Definitely not something I would repeat with my Traverse.
That's crazy! I cant believe they would do that to a new car.
and then placing the shift lever into Park or Neutral for more than 45 seconds.
Why not put it in neutral instead?
 
#6 ·
I find it slightly comical that the "Fuel Level Low" comes on (and replaces the range info) in exactly the moment when I would actually need the range number. This is like a GPS system showing a pictogram of a turn instead of the actual road when you approach a complex intersection or exit with multiple diverging lanes. I cannot remember any other car that would use this stress inducing information deprivation tactic on me.
 
#7 ·
I find it slightly comical that the "Fuel Level Low" comes on (and replaces the range info) in exactly the moment when I would actually need the range number. This is like a GPS system showing a pictogram of a turn instead of the actual road when you approach a complex intersection or exit with multiple diverging lanes. I cannot remember any other car that would use this stress inducing information deprivation tactic on me.
I seriously believe that NO ONE should be allowed to program any kind of HMI (human-machine interface) device without having taken Human Factors 101 first.

I use a program at my work that was written in India (or by Indians). There are several different ways to delete something, depending on which page you're on. Makes NO sense. Sometimes you right click in the field and get a menu that has the deletion command. Other times you have to click in the field, then go up to an Options menu to get the delete command. Does that make any sense at all?