Yet anothe fuel gauge issue

I've searched the forums and don't see my exact problem shown. I've had my 2008 with 130k miles on it for a week and a half. I had previously done a lot of research here and learned about the bladder issues, how to fill the tank, try to fill when warm, and allow the tank to "breathe" before filling. My tank shows full after refill and clicking off. I am usually down 1 bar at 60, but by 220 miles or so I'm down to 2. Each time I fill up (twice so far after initial filling), I've only been able to put just over 4 gallons in. My only concern is I don't know if the tank is full and showing empty when it's really not, or if the empty reading is closer to it. I have no fault codes set. The temperature I've filled at has been around 40-45 degrees, so not warm, but not terribly cold.

I've never dared take the level down further than that, but we are planning a trip from SLC to Dallas and there are times when I will need to drive more than 200 miles without refilling.

Thoughts?

 

That's what I really want to do, but it is scary reading about the trouble with running out of fuel. My average based upon filling the tank to where I have been, closely following the MFD reports of right at 50 MPG, so I know I could go a long distance if my tank were truly full. I just don't know if it is... I should mention that I've performed the recalibration of the fuel meter, successfully I believe, at least the indicated results were seen though no change in the reading. It wasn't made clear in that post if there's an ideal time to do it. To me, it made sense to do it on the mid-to lower portion of the tank, but again, I saw no change in the reading. Frustrating.

 

2 bars are showing when I've decided to refill (just barely from 3 to 2).

 

That's a good idea Patrick. I'll carry around 3 gallons when I'm getting low and see if I can push to at least 400 miles.

 

I've been getting just over 200 miles when the gauge is down to 2 or 3 bars. Each time I have put in almost exactly 4 gallons. I'm using Gas Cubby to track all fuel usage. I did notice the last time when I filled up that it took more and where my fuel economy gauge was within a percent or two of calculated economy, this time it was way off. I expect that it was because the weather has warmed and the bladder expanded a bit.