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 2013 RT LTD - analog fuel gauge - accuracy - NOT !
OK… I am a first time Spyder owner, of a new one week old 2013 RT Limited… it appears the analog fuel gauge is completely nuttier than a fruit cake.
At an indicated 1/2 tank, it will hold 1.5 - 1.7 gallons. I’ve filled it twice now with the gauge showing roughly half a tank. Both times it would only hold approximately a gallon and a half.
I talked to the Service Mgr. at my dealer about this. He says, “unfortunately” this is “normal”. WTF… are you kidding me? This is a $30,000 discretionary “toy” and it has obvious design flaws like this? Well this is just one of its issues, but I digress, back to the topic of this post.
If I believe the manual, the Spyder holds 6.6 gallons of fuel. So, I decide to drive the new beast until I get a low fuel warning light on the dash and find out just how much fuel is really left in the tank. So I drive it awhile, light comes on at a stop light, analog fuel gauge needle is just touching the “red zone”. Low fuel light goes off when I take off from the light, but to be safe, I pull into a liquid-gold, highway robbery station. The Spyder will accept only 3.1 gallons of fuel! So, the low fuel warning comes on when the tank is more than ½ full! This is ridiculous - normal? I think not. This is unacceptable performance to me.
My dealer says that he has unplugged the analog gauge on some customers Spyders due to this very reason, because unplugging the analog gauge causes the digital gauge in the multi-function display to then activate, which he says is much more accurate. Surely BRP does NOT think this is OK - please tell me this is not what to expect from BRP going forward.
Before I jump on the dealer again or complain loudly to BRP, I wanted to get some other Spyder owners feedback on how accurate their RT’s analog fuel gauge is. So… please chime in! Heck... at this point, I'd like to know how accurate the digital one is also - Before I unplug the analog unit, that is apparently there just for looks....
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Mine acted the same way as many others have done. Have a 2010 and unplugged the analog Fuel gauge (which also disables analog Temp gauge) and yes digital gauges do appear and are very accurate. From what I understand the Analog gauges were an added option which were a mistake! I have replaced analog Fuel with a Volt meter gauge and plan on replacing temp. with a analog clock.
Clock http://prosportgauges.com/12-volt-Pr...ber-White.aspx
Fuel http://prosportgauges.com/amber-whit...olt-gauge.aspx
Last edited by Rotaxer; 07-05-2013 at 12:07 PM.
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Very Active Member
 Originally Posted by M&Ms_Spyder
OK… I am a first time Spyder owner, of a new one week old 2013 RT Limited… it appears the analog fuel gauge is completely nuttier than a fruit cake.
At an indicated 1/2 tank, it will hold 1.5 - 1.7 gallons. I’ve filled it twice now with the gauge showing roughly half a tank. Both times it would only hold approximately a gallon and a half.
I talked to the Service Mgr. at my dealer about this. He says, “unfortunately” this is “normal”. WTF… are you kidding me? This is a $30,000 discretionary “toy” and it has obvious design flaws like this? Well this is just one of its issues, but I digress, back to the topic of this post.
If I believe the manual, the Spyder holds 6.6 gallons of fuel. So, I decide to drive the new beast until I get a low fuel warning light on the dash and find out just how much fuel is really left in the tank. So I drive it awhile, light comes on at a stop light, analog fuel gauge needle is just touching the “red zone”. Low fuel light goes off when I take off from the light, but to be safe, I pull into a liquid-gold, highway robbery station. The Spyder will accept only 3.1 gallons of fuel! So, the low fuel warning comes on when the tank is more than ½ full! This is ridiculous - normal? I think not. This is unacceptable performance to me.
My dealer says that he has unplugged the analog gauge on some customers Spyders due to this very reason, because unplugging the analog gauge causes the digital gauge in the multi-function display to then activate, which he says is much more accurate. Surely BRP does NOT think this is OK - please tell me this is not what to expect from BRP going forward.
Before I jump on the dealer again or complain loudly to BRP, I wanted to get some other Spyder owners feedback on how accurate their RT’s analog fuel gauge is. So… please chime in! Heck... at this point, I'd like to know how accurate the digital one is also - Before I unplug the analog unit, that is apparently there just for looks....
A few things:
1- The analog guage seems to be working correctly (for an analog guage)
2- The digital guages are waaaaaay more accurate, when you are down to your last bar you probably can go another 10 miles or so
3-Remember that when you unplug the analog fuel guage you must also unplug the analog temp. guage or the digital guages will not work.
4- Unplug them and enjoy your Spyder.
Cruzr joe
2018 F3 Limited, BRP Driver Backrest, Spyderpops Lighted Bump Skid, Dual Spyclops Light, Mirror Turn Signals, Laser Alignment, Engine LEDs, Fog Lights With Halo's, Cushion Handgrips, BRT LEDs, and Under Lighting, Lamonster IPS, (with Clock), F4 25" Vented Windshield with Wings, Airhawk "R" Cushions. Position 4 Brake setting, Short reach Handlebars, Dash Mounted Voltmeter and 12 Volt Plug. Set of 3rd pegs. Extended Passenger Seat. Exterior BRP Connect setup, Ultimate Trailer
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A lot depends on how you fill it. For best results, insert the nozzle just into the fill ring. Fill slowly, and quit when feul begins to spurt out the vent slots in the ring. You can top off until it spurts out again, but quit there or you risk overflowing to the evap canister. The fuel tank hold 6.0 usable gallons. The rest is necessary head space for expansion and venting. The low fuel light should come on with about 1.5 gallons left. That means at low fuel light you should be able to fill about 4.5 gallons. If more, you are probably overflowing to the evap canister. If less, there is a problem with the way you are filling, or the fuel sending unit/gauge.
Last edited by NancysToy; 07-06-2013 at 06:38 AM.
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starting to sound like the analog fuel gauge is completely boggus or at least the issue with it reading crazay is "common"
Analog fuel and temp were not an "option" on my 2013 RT... it comes this way standard. I think I will have the dealer disconnect these "ornaments" and see how accurate the digital gauges are.
I can see the "holes" for these gauges being used for other, useful, accurate gauges.... like others suggested here. I just think this is totally unacceptable performance, QC, etc. for a discretionary toy that costs as much as these things do... Do I sound like I have buyer's remose?
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My 2011 RT S gauge does the same thing. My service dealer replaced the gauge once already because of the bouncing. Now the accuracy is way off. I can fill the tank, the gauge will show filled, drive 20 miles and look down and the gauge will be at the 1/2 tank or lower mark. Talked with my service dealer about this and am taking it in on the 9th for them to get more information for BRP. If these after thought gauges are faulty then will have them removed and use the digital. Hoping for a fix for them though.
AC
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Originally Posted by acinpcola
My 2011 RT S gauge does the same thing. My service dealer replaced the gauge once already because of the bouncing. Now the accuracy is way off. I can fill the tank, the gauge will show filled, drive 20 miles and look down and the gauge will be at the 1/2 tank or lower mark. Talked with my service dealer about this and am taking it in on the 9th for them to get more information for BRP. If these after thought gauges are faulty then will have them removed and use the digital. Hoping for a fix for them though.
AC
mine is not "bouncing" around... it just goes down at apparently about twice the rate that the fuel is actually being burned. When the low fuel warning light comes on in the tach area, I still have a half a tank or more fuel actually left in the tank.
My dealer's Service Mgr. says this is normal. Or at least, I guess he meant, most of the ones he's seen exhibit this same erroneous behavior. I will take it up with Service again and ask them to press BRP for a "fix". Hello BRP.. if you're going to put gauges in the dash, the sumbeaches should work - and work well.......
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Originally Posted by M&Ms_Spyder
mine is not "bouncing" around... it just goes down at apparently about twice the rate that the fuel is actually being burned. When the low fuel warning light comes on in the tach area, I still have a half a tank or more fuel actually left in the tank.
My dealer's Service Mgr. says this is normal. Or at least, I guess he meant, most of the ones he's seen exhibit this same erroneous behavior. I will take it up with Service again and ask them to press BRP for a "fix". Hello BRP.. if you're going to put gauges in the dash, the sumbeaches should work - and work well.......
Spyder ownership tip. It will not get used to you......you have to get familiar with it.
While it has some quirks. If you let them get under your skin. You'll end up being another DaveNur. And, you don't want that.
Welcome aboard and might I suggest you read this.
 http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...t=DO%27S+DONTS
Last edited by Jeriatric; 07-05-2013 at 01:51 PM.
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Originally Posted by NancysToy
A lot depends on how you fill it. For best results, insert the nozzle just into the fill ring. Fill slowly, and quit when feul begins to spurt out the vent slots in the ring. You can top off until it spurts ourt again, but quit there or you risk overflowing to the evap canister. The fuel tank hold 6.0 usable gallons. The rest is necessary head space for expansion and venting. The low fuel light should come on with about 1.5 gallons left. That means at low fuel light you should be able to fill about 4.5 gallons. If more, you are probably overflowing to the evap canister. If less, there is a problem with the way you are filling, or the fuel sending unit/gauge.
NancysToy... so are you saying you have an analog fuel gauge that reads accurately? Or are you referring to the digital fuel gauge in the multi-function display?
Yes... I've already experienced that the tank won't fill to an indicated full on the analog gauge, if you insert the typical pump nozzle all the way into the filler hole of the Spyder... and yes, I have already apparently managed to get some fuel into the EVAP cannister trying to get the tank full - as I've had the "fuel fumes" after shutoff issue already also... talk about a quirkly machine.... just ridiculous IMHO. Is BRP still selling prototypes for its customers to debug for them or what..?
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As much as I liked the look of the RTL I just could no justify the $6k difference in price for a little bling, gauges and shock compressor . I think My RT is a good value comparatively and the digital gauges on it work perfectly accurately. I just read you can unplug the gauges and the digital ones will show on the LCD. Plus if I want I can add a 12V plug in the blanks where the gauges are not. I can buy all the bling for about $2k and make it look the same as a RTL or even better with after market floorboards IMHO. Don't get me wrong the RTL looks pretty just over priced and I am a cheapo kinda guy who value substance over style.
Last edited by Magdave; 07-05-2013 at 06:41 PM.
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Originally Posted by M&Ms_Spyder
NancysToy... so are you saying you have an analog fuel gauge that reads accurately? Or are you referring to the digital fuel gauge in the multi-function display?
Yes... I've already experienced that the tank won't fill to an indicated full on the analog gauge, if you insert the typical pump nozzle all the way into the filler hole of the Spyder... and yes, I have already apparently managed to get some fuel into the EVAP cannister trying to get the tank full - as I've had the "fuel fumes" after shutoff issue already also... talk about a quirkly machine.... just ridiculous IMHO. Is BRP still selling prototypes for its customers to debug for them or what..?
The analog gauges on both my RTs (two on the 2010) have all read fairly accurately, indicated full when filled as I described above, and showed between 1/8 (red) and 1/4 tank when the fuel light came on. They may bounce, but lots of undampened gauges do that. Mine have all steadied out towrd the mottom, except the first on my RT, which was replaced with a redisgned unit. Look in the tank after it is full. The fuel level should be 1/2" or so below the fill ring. If it is considerably lower, your technique probably needs adjusting. If it is near the ring, your fuel gauge/sender is likely faulty.
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Originally Posted by NancysToy
A lot depends on how you fill it. For best results, insert the nozzle just into the fill ring. Fill slowly, and quit when feul begins to spurt out the vent slots in the ring. You can top off until it spurts ourt again, but quit there or you risk overflowing to the evap canister. The fuel tank hold 6.0 usable gallons. The rest is necessary head space for expansion and venting. The low fuel light should come on with about 1.5 gallons left. That means at low fuel light you should be able to fill about 4.5 gallons. If more, you are probably overflowing to the evap canister. If less, there is a problem with the way you are filling, or the fuel sending unit/gauge.
This is exactly how mine works 2013 RTL. When I went to pick it up when I bought it the fuel guage did not even work, the dealer changed it out with another 2013 he had in the show room. It takes some getting used to. Its really good to know when the fuel light comes on I still have 30 to 40 miles left to find another gas station.
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I rode my 2013 RT Ltd yesterday for 200 miles. I filled the spyder up and at 110 miles, the fuel light came on. I ran it for another 18 miles. When I filled up, I had 128.4 miles on the trip meter. It only took 4.8 gallons. which is about 27 mpg. So, at lease, I know my spyder will do 125 miles easily with plenty of fuel left. The analog guage is terrible, as most have said. Can't you activate the digital fuel guage without unplugging the analog?
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Originally Posted by Cruzr Joe
A few things:
1- The analog guage seems to be working correctly (for an analog guage)
2- The digital guages are waaaaaay more accurate, when you are down to your last bar you probably can go another 10 miles or so
3-Remember that when you unplug the analog fuel guage you must also unplug the analog temp. guage or the digital guages will not work.
4- Unplug them and enjoy your Spyder.
Cruzr joe
+1 Unplugged mine quite a while ago. The analog gauges are a "feature" BRP would be well advised to forget about.
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Originally Posted by M&Ms_Spyder
Before I jump on the dealer again or complain loudly to BRP, I wanted to get some other Spyder owners feedback on how accurate their RT’s analog fuel gauge is. So… please chime in!
Mine has always and seems to continue to perform just fine.
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Very Active Member
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Very Active Member
M & M:
Your initial post kinda heated me up but your subsequent posts show more tolerance. I am glad you are willing to give the machine a chance because I think you will enjoy it.
We used the analog gauges on our first set of RT's (a '10 and and '11) but finally came to rely on the trip meter for fill ups. We both got in the habit of filling up after 135-140 miles driven between fill ups.
The 2012 RT's we now own seem to have more accurate analog gauges but because I wanted to see my oil pressure and battery condition, I changed the gauges out and now use the digital ones for temperature and fuel. My wife left her Spyder stock. Her low fuel light comes on a bit before mine does and her gauge usually indicates she has about a quarter of a tank. My digital gauge gets down to two bars before the light comes on and I have run the Spyder until no bars are showing. I think it took 5.8 gallons to fill it at that point.
One day I decided to play with the low fuel light with two bars showing and found I could make it go on and off by riding up and down my lane. We have a 400 foot lane that is quite steep at the end and if powered up going uphill I could activate the light. I also found I could activate it by swerving from side to side. That didn't prove anything other than the fuel swishes around a lot and can impact the sending unit in different ways.
Welcome to the Spyder family.... lots of pricy things have quirks.... it's just part of the experience.
Penny and Rick have owned many motorcycles starting in 1974 with Honda’s, then to Suzukis, Gold Wings and ultimately Spyders.
‘74 Honda 360T (pair); ‘78 Suzuki GS 1000 (pair); ‘’82 Honda Aspencade; ‘84 Honda 400; ‘87 Yamaha 1100; ‘99 Honda Valkyrie; ‘01 Suzuki Burgman(triked); ‘02 Honda GL 1800(triked); ‘10 Spyder RTSE; ‘11 Spyder RTSM; ‘12 Spyder RTSL (pair); ‘20 Spyder RTL (current)
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I'd rather have a fuel gauge that says: "Fill me now!" when it still has gas . . . than one that says: "You should have filled me five miles ago . . . now I am empty!"
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The original gauge on my 2011 RT-AC used to bounce all over the place...it was basically unusable. I relied on the trip meter, which was easy for me because I didn't have a fuel gauge at all on my old V-Star 1300T. When I moved to Florida the guys at Central Florida Power Sports told me BRP had improved the gauge and they'd install a new one under warranty. They did so, but the new one was broken from the git go...stuck on full and never moved. They took it out and installed a third one, and that one has worked just fine. It's not prefect, but it's fairly accurate and lets me know what's going on with the gas...it pretty much agrees with my trip meter. Haven't had any problems since I had the third one put in.
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To date my 2012 RT limited fuel gauge has worked (still bounces) with fairly good accuracy. I usually fill after 150 miles, the gauge shows between 1/2 and 1/4. I am curious has anyone replaced the gauge with an aftermarket, and does it work any better than the standard gauge?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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Digital Gauge works but........
The digital gauge works, but once it hits 1/2 full (or empty depending on whether you are a pessimist or optimist), it drops to empty very quickly. I usually get overly optimistic when I have gone over 100 miles to the 1/2 way mark, but then 40 miles later the fuel light comes on. I guess the best answer is to figure on filling at around 130 miles or so.
The digital gauge is better than the analogue, but i wish it had a more even fuel level drop.
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Lots of vehicles lack a linear fuel gauge response. It takes a pretty sophisticated sending unit and gauge programming to provide a linear response. It also helps to have an evenly shaped fuel tank, which contains the same volume for every inch of height. The eneven response is more evident in a motorcycle tank, due to its small volume. Most gauges I have seen drop faster in the lower half.
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BRP's latest update for the analog fuel gauge works very well. If you want to stay with the analog gauges. Have the update done. It's painless.
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Originally Posted by Jerbear
BRP's latest update for the analog fuel gauge works very well. If you want to stay with the analog gauges. Have the update done. It's painless.
I just had my 600 miles service done on my 2013 RT Ltd. They did not mention any updates that were available.
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