1997 Honda Accord EX 2.2L Auto

I've noticed this multiple times but didn't think anything of it until i started working on my car. Supposedly I have a 17 gallon tank, but when my fuel needle is below E and I fill my tank it only takes 12 gallons to fill. Is there any reason this happens?

 

Maybe your gauge isn't working like it should. The low fuel light comes on with a few gallons left in the tank. If I get gas right when the low fuel light comes on, I will get about 13 gallons in, on my 03.

 

Is there a way to test the fuel light to make sure that it actually works? I'm afraid to drive until it comes on because when the fuel is low the car has trouble starting. The car still starts every time, but it takes a second.

 

your tank has a reserve in it. This is very normal. When my light use to come on and it was "empty it would take 13-14 max. Get a 1 or 2 gallon gas tank and put it in your trunk when you run out. Then you will know how much it takes to fill your tank.

 

I had pretty much the same car, and I would fill up with the light on and get 12-13 gallons. Take a look in the owners manual to see how many miles you have when the low fuel light turns on.

 

In my 95 Accord there was a reserve of about 3 gallons. When my gas light came on it would only take 13 to fill. Everything is functioning correctly as far as that's concerned! When you're low on fuel (gas light on) it will take a bit longer to start, that's normal, but you should try to avoid getting your gas that low. I'm pretty sure it puts unnecessary strain on the fuel pump etc.

 

It doesn't strain you fuel pump at all. It isn't going to suck up "gunk" from your tank because there is not much there. You can run your car, snowmobile, lawnmower out of gas multiple times and it is not goin got cause any major issues. Yes it can clog your fuel filter sooner but thats rare.

More than likely you are loosing a ground somewhere. You will never create an issue by running your car on 1/4 tank or less.

 

I don't think that's quite true. Snowmobile, lawnmower, etc usually have gravity-fed fuel. Go ahead and run them empty - it won't harm their carburators.

Electric fuel pumps in your Accord's fuel tank are cooled and lubricated by the fuel that's pumping through them. (Same for most cars these days) It doesn't hurt them at all to run the gas tank nearly empty. But it DOES hurt them to suck air when the little bit of fuel sloshes around in the tank. That's the reason for a couple gallons reserve in the tank.

As far as the crud at the bottom of the tank, I don't understand that anyway. The fuel pump ALWAYS sucks fuel from the bottom of the tank, even when the tank is completely full.