Question on the "Range" indicator on the dashboard...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '10
Question on the "Range" indicator on the dashboard...
While idling in the 7-11 parking lot for approximately 5 minutes, my range indicator went from 315 miles to 275. Is this normal? It went back up to around 298 when I starting driving it at normal speeds. I thought I was leaking gas, but didn't smell anything.
Thanks! :seeya
Thanks! :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster CA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Question on the "Range" indicator on the dashboard... (ladyinblack)
Yes, it is normal.... your range is constantly updated, and will change based on the current fuel usage versus speed(distance traveled vs. time). Since you are parked, speed and distance traveled are zero, but fuel is being used to keep engine running, the range will decrease until you start traveling again, where it will again continue to update based on those parameters. :cheers:
It does the same thing while you are stopped in traffic.
[Modified by Blue85L98, 2:37 PM 9/25/2002]
It does the same thing while you are stopped in traffic.
[Modified by Blue85L98, 2:37 PM 9/25/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Question on the "Range" indicator on the dashboard... (ladyinblack)
Of course it all depends on how you leave the 7-11 parking lot; my range indicator (and average mileage) usually drop till I hit highway speeds. :lol:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Question on the "Range" indicator on the dashboard... (ladyinblack)
uh, the Range indicator has little to do with how far your really going to make it, tho... remember, it is dependant on the sender, and the sender has its own problems... such as the inability to tell you how much fuel you have left.
basically, it is neato... but rather useless.
basically, it is neato... but rather useless.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
From: Edmonds WA
Re: Question on the "Range" indicator on the dashboard... (bogus)
I totally agree about it being useless, unfortunately. It has the potential to actually be helpful, especially on road trips, but it's not. First off, it's only as accurate as your fuel gauge... and I have yet to meet a fuel gauge that actually shows half a tank when the tank is half full. I think that is the biggest source of the inaccuracy.
As far as I've figured out, it multiplies your current average MPG times the number of gallons it thinks you have in the tank and that's how far you should be able to go. The only problem is, most of the time, it thinks you have more gas than you actually do, so it tells you that you can go farther than you actually can :(
As far as I've figured out, it multiplies your current average MPG times the number of gallons it thinks you have in the tank and that's how far you should be able to go. The only problem is, most of the time, it thinks you have more gas than you actually do, so it tells you that you can go farther than you actually can :(
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Springdale AR
Re: Question on the "Range" indicator on the dashboard... (K87ZZ4)
As far as I've figured out, it multiplies your current average MPG times the number of gallons it thinks you have in the tank and that's how far you should be able to go. The only problem is, most of the time, it thinks you have more gas than you actually do, so it tells you that you can go farther than you actually can :(
I've been debating on buying a new sending unit, but I am afread it will do the same thing after a short time, so that is 300.00 out the window.
Has anyone tried bending the float arm a little to compensate for the amount your gage is off?
