Fuel Gauge - Description

DESCRIPTION

WITHOUT STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS





On instrument clusters of vehicles not equipped with the optional steering wheel buttons, the fuel gauge is an electronic segmented bar graph shown near the base of the cluster multi-function Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) located near the bottom of the instrument cluster between the speedometer and the tachometer. The gauge reads left-to-right from 0 (or Empty) to 1 (or Full). An International Control and Display Symbol icon for Fuel is located directly to the left of the low end of the scale, and an arrowhead in the center of the icon that points toward the left side of the vehicle to provide the driver with a reminder as to the location of the fuel filler access. On vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, the text DIESEL is centered above the bar graph within the display.

The indications of the fuel gauge are not visible when the LCD is not illuminated. When illuminated, the indications appear as dark characters silhouetted against a light field. With the exterior lighting turned OFF, the display is illuminated at maximum brightness. With the exterior lighting turned ON, the display illumination level can be adjusted in concert with the cluster general illumination lighting using the + (plus) and - (minus) multi-function indicator push buttons.

The fuel gauge is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.

WITH STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS





On vehicles equipped with the optional steering wheel buttons, an analog fuel gauge is located directly below the tachometer needle hub on the right side of the instrument cluster. This gauge consists of a movable gauge needle or pointer controlled by the instrument cluster circuitry on a fixed 90 degree scale on the cluster overlay that reads left-to-right from 0 (or empty) to 1 (or full), with a 1/2 (or one-half) graduation in the center of the scale. An International Control and Display Symbol icon for Fuel is located just above the right or high end of the scale, and an arrowhead to the left of the icon that points toward the left side of the vehicle to provide the driver with a reminder as to the location of the fuel filler access. On vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, the text DIESEL is located just below the right or high end of the scale.

The fuel gauge graphics are white against a black field, making them clearly visible within the instrument cluster in daylight. When illuminated from behind by the panel lamps dimmer controlled cluster illumination lighting with the exterior lamps turned ON, the white graphics appear amber. The orange gauge needle has internal optical illumination. Gauge illumination is provided by Light Emitting Diode (LED) units soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit board.

The fuel gauge is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.