I fill when the gauge says 1/4 left.
Fuel range accuracy
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 986
Likes: 1
Fuel range accuracy
when the computer says you have a set range left you can travel how accurate is that? I mean if it says I have 80 miles left before I run out do I really have maybe 40? not that I intend to ever let it get that low but was just curious.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
I am under the impression that it is fairly accurate. I have always assumed that it is calculated based on the average consumption and therefore, if your remaining miles are similar to the average, it should be close. However if your average is based on highway miles and your remaining miles are city, you'd better keep a close eye.
Just my thoughts, and I am sure there are others that know more about it than I.
Just my thoughts, and I am sure there are others that know more about it than I.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 2
From: Syracuse NY
Based on the situation that LOTS of other guys have had with the gas tank level hanging up...the miles left is based on the amount of gas you have for sure...and then some calculation based on your current consumption. Heres how I know...the gauge was taking forever to drop from F to 1/2 full and then would immediately go to the LOW FUEL warning on the DIC. The moment before it went to LOW FUEL, it still showed all kinds of miles left. Since then i have run the last 3 tanks with Techron and the gauge works fine now.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've seen the low fuel warning at range 60 a couple of times. Not something I plan to do normally as I refuel at 1/4 tank. At that point I lost interest in how accurate it was. I don't want to pull all the residue from the bottom of the tank through the engine.
Its a dynamic calculation and at other times it seems to do quite well.
Its a dynamic calculation and at other times it seems to do quite well.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Ogden Utah
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
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From: Godfrey IL
If you leave that selection on the DIC, you will see it vary depending upon the driving conditions. It should be updating continually based upon the instantaneous mileage and your overall average.
If you punch it hard a few times after filling it up you should see it drop quite a bit, and then if you back off and drive normal it should rise. So driving conditions will dictate the value.
I've seen it drop drastically climbing mountains, and then gain everything I lost as I coasted down the other side.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
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From: Brentwood TN
The distance to empty algorithm integrates the area under the consumption/mileage curve to come up with distance. If you show 40 miles remaining at 70 mph in 6th on level ground, you have about 5 quarts of fuel left. Nail it a couple of times and it will drop. When it REALLY gets low, another message comes on (can't remember what it says) when you're still lower, then it flashes "start looking for a place to pull over". Well, not really, but when you get down to a gallon, it's time to fill up even if the station is a nickel higher than where you normally buy. 
Charlie
Charlie
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,901
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From: Elko, Nevada
I've seen the Fuel Range go blank, Reserve Fuel, Low Fuel Warning,
and finally Check Engine. It was Christmas in July on my dash.
Talk about sweating bullets. Didn't run out nor did the car sputter but
I was closer to E than I ever want to know.
I-70 West Colorado in the middle of BFE.
The sign as I was getting back on the interstate after refueling.
and finally Check Engine. It was Christmas in July on my dash.
Talk about sweating bullets. Didn't run out nor did the car sputter but
I was closer to E than I ever want to know.
I-70 West Colorado in the middle of BFE.
The sign as I was getting back on the interstate after refueling.
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From my experience it seems to be fairly accurate. But, not a good idea to press your luck when it comes to running the tank down to empty. Best to just fill it up at a quarter of a tank or so.