I'll explain my issue as it's been happening to me. I bought the car about a month ago. Everything on it runs great. The only issue is when it gets below about a quarter tank, it gets harder and harder to start the lower the gas gauge gets. When I bought the car it had about a half tank of gas. I drove for about a week and when the needle was almost below E my gas light never came on. So I kept going and it got so hard to start, I went ahead and filled up. Never saw the light. I went ahead and added an octane booster since the car was new to me, I figured I'd try to clean the fuel system a bit. I drove it for 2 more weeks when I was getting close to E again. The problem seemed to get a little better. I bought an actual full fuel system cleaner and I had been riding around waiting for my next fill up. I went to leave the house to go back to work and the car wouldn't start. Luckily I poured the fuel booster in and it was enough to start the car. I still haven't seen the light. Now, the light may just be a bulb and I'll try that. The only reason I was waiting till empty is because the boosters say run the tank almost empty and fill up, otherwise I would fill up around a quarter tank. My issue is I filled up after almost not being able to start. Assuming I was bone dry right? Well the gas stopped pumping right at 13.2 gallons. I wonder what the tank capacity is. Google. 15.9 GALLONS! So, where are the other 3 gallons of my tank?

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Edit: I know this car is supposed to take premium fuel. That's what I've been using.

 

When you say "harder and harder to start", what do you mean? Like, you have to crank it longer before it starts running? Or something else? Does it make any strange sounds? It could be that the fuel strainer isn't properly seated inside the baffle in the tank. If it doesn't get put in the right spot, you will have issues when the fuel level gets lower.

 

I have to crank it like longer before it starts. It doesn't make a strange noise, just a long crank. Also, by strainer, do you mean filter? Or is there another part you're referring to? I'm gunna try replacing the filter and pump at the same time and see if that helps... Just have to man up and get that filter in... They aren't very expensive, so it's worth a try. I'm also fairly certain the bulb for my low gas light may be out... When I turn the car on initially I see all the cluster lights come on for battery oil etc for that split second but the gas doesn't come on? Could you link me to where I can find that bulb? Thank you for your reply.

 

One of the 5th gen guys can hopefully help more on the exact location of the bulb in your car.

On the fuel tank side, I would be replacing the pump and the screen on the bottom, making sure the seal is in good shape as well. Also, check the bulb first, so that if you need to check/ clean/ replace your level sensor in the tank, you can do it at the same time. Obviosuly those are both good things to do while the tank is pretty much empty.

Also, I would replace your fuel filter in the engine bay, it probably has some crud in it if you ran the car dry, and don't know the condition of the fuel system.

 

The fuel strainer is attached to bottom of the fuel pump inside your tank. It keeps any large things from getting sucked into the fuel pump. It also kind of guides the fuel up into the pump, so if it isn't positioned right, it can cause issues. The fuel filter is a different part. It's located on the firewall, under the hood. Any time you buy a used car, you should replace the fuel filter, because people often times don't change them.