2012 LT Fuel mileage & fill

[spacedout]

I believe the "E" on my VIN denotes the Fleet trim that you mentioned, so does that mean it actually has a smaller tank? Or the same type of setup I'm hearing about on the Eco with a different neck/sensor to limit the fuel in tank?

Yes, there is another thread on here that showed the tank was only 12.6gallons for the fleet trim.


EDIT: here is a link 2012 1FL (fleet vin) Gas Tank Size

[obermd]

My eco is like that. It will only ever take 10 to 10.5 gallons before it clicks off. I've driven over 100 miles after the light came on and guess how much it took? You got it, 10.5 gallons. Today I sat there for about 10 minutes until i got 12.6 in which is what the eco is supposed to take. Had my fuel level sensor but it didnt do anything. I honestly don't know if there is a fix. Such a silly setup on these cars. Makes me wonder about mileage claims. Filling to the first click, at least in my case, is horribly inaccurate if your trying to figure mpg.

When computing mileage, always use the odometer miles driven and the pump's fuel dispensed numbers. In most instances, the DIC is 5-10% optimistic on MPG. By law/regulation, gas pumps have to be calibrated on a periodic basis and the car's odometer is also calibrated for the OEM tire size. These two calibrations are regulatory requirements - the DIC is not. Over time variations in actual tank fills will even out for an accurate fuel economy number. I don't know if you've noticed, but a lot of us have fuelly badges in our signatures. Assuming you accurately enter these two numbers into fuelly you will get an accurate measurement over time.

[Sunline Fan]

One of the issues that all sedans have is they're vertically short. This translates into fuel coming back up the fill pipe further than it would in a taller vehicle like an SUV or truck. With the fuel coming up the fill pipe faster, any turbulence in the flow going into the tank get turned into "bubbles" of fuel that rise even higher (think soda coming out of a fountain at your local fast food restaurant). To counter this somewhat, always use the slowest (first) hold point on the nozzle handle.

For example, I put 11.6 gallons into my ECO MT yesterday. It had an estimated (based on the DIC's remaining range display) 1.3 gallons in the tank when I started. This gave me 12.9 gallons in a "12.6" gallon tank. The first click off was at 9.8 gallons which means had I stopped at that point I would only have had 11.1 gallons in the tank or 88% full. The car had reported I had used 10.3 gallons since the previous fill up.

I hear you, I never use anything more than the first stop for the pump, and it still stops at 14ish gallons. I know I could pump more in, but in order to keep my mileage numbers accurate and maybe do the evap system a favor, I pull it out when it shuts off the first time. It's nice to have the extra capacity if needed though.

[bodeis]

When computing mileage, always use the odometer miles driven and the pump's fuel dispensed numbers. In most instances, the DIC is 5-10% optimistic on MPG. By law/regulation, gas pumps have to be calibrated on a periodic basis and the car's odometer is also calibrated for the OEM tire size. These two calibrations are regulatory requirements - the DIC is not. Over time variations in actual tank fills will even out for an accurate fuel economy number. I don't know if you've noticed, but a lot of us have fuelly badges in our signatures. Assuming you accurately enter these two numbers into fuelly you will get an accurate measurement over time.

I get that. But if the pump clicks off at the same 10.5 gallons whether the light just came on or I have driven for 100 miles with it on, how is that accurate? My car always clicks off between 10.2 and 10.5 gallons whether im just above empty or 100 miles after the light came on. I don't use the dic info at all. Although now I wonder if the gallons used may be the way to go.

[obermd]

I get that. But if the pump clicks off at the same 10.5 gallons whether the light just came on or I have driven for 100 miles with it on, how is that accurate? My car always clicks off between 10.2 and 10.5 gallons whether im just above empty or 100 miles after the light came on. I don't use the dic info at all. Although now I wonder if the gallons used may be the way to go.

Always use the pump fuel measurement to determine gallons consumed. Individual fill ups may not be accurate but over time (measured in 3-5 fill ups) you'll get a very accurate reading on your actual fuel economy.

I'd go ahead and trickle fill to the top of the tank one time for a couple of reasons. First, you'll get a better feel on how much you're not filling and if you use divide your MPG by the miles to empty you can add that result to the pump to find your total tank/fill pipe volume. Second, my ECO MT never reported a complete fill until after I had done this a couple of times. Apparently the fill level sensor may need calibrating and this will do it. The fuel evaporation recovery system will not be harmed by one or two fills like this. It's designed to be occasionally completely submersed in fuel. I don't know if it can handle this over a long period of time, but one or two won't be a problem.

[vballt]

Always use the pump fuel measurement to determine gallons consumed. Individual fill ups may not be accurate but over time (measured in 3-5 fill ups) you'll get a very accurate reading on your actual fuel economy.

I'd go ahead and trickle fill to the top of the tank one time for a couple of reasons. First, you'll get a better feel on how much you're not filling and if you use divide your MPG by the miles to empty you can add that result to the pump to find your total tank/fill pipe volume. Second, my ECO MT never reported a complete fill until after I had done this a couple of times. Apparently the fill level sensor may need calibrating and this will do it. The fuel evaporation recovery system will not be harmed by one or two fills like this. It's designed to be occasionally completely submersed in fuel. I don't know if it can handle this over a long period of time, but one or two won't be a problem.

Sounds like a good plan, last fill I trickle filled it, I may do it again today & then see how that goes!

I sent an email off to Chevrolet with my VIN & info asking about fuel tank size, here is the reply, obviously they aren't syncing up there info....
"Service Request: 71-1147217756Customer Relationship Specialist: Robbie




Dear William,




Thank you for contacting the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you taking the time to write us regarding your inquiry on the fuel tank capacity of your 2012 Chevrolet Cruze.




Based on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) you provided, the fuel tank capacity of your 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is 15.6 gallons / 59.0 liters."

[mayo302]

denser moist air.

denser cold air, not denser moist air. Cold air doesn't have the same capacity to hold water vapor that warm air does, and water vapor is less dense than dry air anyway.
Summer air is hot and full of water vapor for many places, both good for FE.