this has only happened about 3 times in the past month, and so far there is no pattern to it. Sometimes when the car is started the gas guage will read empty. it will do this till the car is turned off and restarted, then it will be fine for a while. if anybody can help i would appreciate it. thank you

You could have a bad fuel guage in your dash. I would start by checking the pig tail at the fuel tank to see if it is dirty, or loose. Then I would check the dash guage it's self. If not then test the wire from your dash guage to the fuel pump. Past that I would check your relays and fuses. You might have a relay sticking.