Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Fuel Level (Gasoline/Diesel) /Fuel Pump
The fuel level in the tank is measured with a sensor on the fuel pump. Vehicles with AWD have two sensors for fuel measurement - one on the fuel pump and one separate on the opposite side in the fuel tank. Vehicles without AWD have a sensor located on the fuel pump in the tank. The sensors are directly connected to the central electronic module (CEM).
There are different tables for different fuel tank sizes. The tables are stored in the central electronic module (CEM) and indicate which sensor values correspond to the remaining fuel in the tank. The central electronic module (CEM) determines which tank is in the car by reading a parameter.
The resistance of the sensor increases as the fuel volume in the tank decreases. The signals from the sensors are compared with the values in the fuel tank table to obtain a value for the remaining fuel volume. This data is displayed by the fuel gauge in the driver information module (DIM).
If the sensors are faulty, the fuel gauge will show 0.
The sensors are powered and grounded via the central electronic module (CEM).
There are diagnostics for the fuel level sensors.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.