Why does my gas needle go down when I apply the break?

Question

I've recently noticed that when I hit the gas pedal, the needle goes up, and then when I hit the break it goes down almost 1/8 of a tank? Why is this and which reading is the "correct" one?

Answer 1

This is due to the inertia generated when applying your brakes. The fuel is the tank is "moving" at 45MPH and you apply the brakes, it moves to the front of the tank and moves the float on the sending unit accordingly. The reverse is true when you start off from a dead stop and the fuel is pushed to the rear of the tank.

Answer 2

Your float in the tank doesn't go completely to the bottom. When you hit the brakes the gas goes to the front of the tank away from the float. So the float continues as far down as it can go reading E on your gauge.

Answer 3

When you apply the brake the gas goes to the front of the tank and the float goes down.

Answer 4

It is just the fuel sloshing around in the tank. The correct reading is when your setting still or when your going a constant speed.