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Could a faulty fuel tank be affecting my Honda Jazz's fuel consumption?

My 2010 Honda Jazz 1.4 EX gives strange fuel consumption results. I filled it to the brim, looked at the computer and it said it could do 490 miles until next fill. I drove approximately 300 miles, at an average, according to the computer, of 53mpg, but the fuel light came on, the gauge dropped to zero, and the computer said that it could only go another nine miles. Something similar has happened several times now. When I fill up from this empty situation, it only seems to take about seven gallons. Either the gauge is wrong or the tank doesn’t hold the 42 litres that I understood it does. I am worried because when I remove the fuel cap, there seems to be some pressure release, I wondered if the tank may have been vacuumed smaller. I know someone whose Peugeot’s plastic tank imploded due to a blocked vent and the fuel pump continuing to suck. The car is still under warranty until the end of August. What do you think?

Asked on 17 August 2013 by RO, via email

Answered by Honest John
The petrol tank of a Jazz is under the driver's seat (as in a WW2 Jeep), so have a look. 42 litres is 9.24 gallons. 9.24 x 53mpg = 489.72 miles. So that adds up. Could be that the float gauge in the tank has come unstuck. I suggest you measure your fuel economy brim to brim as that will give a more reliable figure. 300 miles on seven gallons is 42.9mpg, which is probably what the car is really doing.
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