Fuel meter/ miles left (range) inaccuracy

My one bar comes on at about 16-20 miles of range, with a little soft beep that can be missed sometimes. It's probably learning your driving style with a PID loop. I routinely run down past zero range to the point where it takes 10.5 gallons, once around 11.0 gallons. The manual says capacity of 11.9 gallons. Another owner claims he once put in 12.5 gallons and he was still driving. The speculation is 0.6 gallons is in the filler tube when you top it off. Clearly it IS a safety factor and the reserve is more like two gallons.

 

My orange gas pump comes on at 11 to 10 miles left. The mileage count down seems based on the tank average not my current average, so if I am doing well late in the tank I can get to zero with one bar left. Normally I have zero bars at zero miles and put in 10.1 gallons.

 

1st: there is no relationship between the cruising range and the gas gauge. The cruising range is based on the current average MPG vs the approximate gas in the tank. Its programmed to give you room to spare. Many people have gone 50+ miles when it says 0. For the most part, ignore it.

The gas gauge bars represent a RANGE of fuel capacity, with one bar representing approximately one gallon in the v. So one bar can represent anything from 2 gal remaining to one. Mine mostly comes on some time after one bar is showing but well before no bars.

In any case its not a big deal. When the red light comes on - go find a gas station!

 

Adding to what was said above, my low fuel icon comes on at around 15 miles remaining. Even after going to zero miles remaining (or -5 mi), I usually still have 1.7 (1.6 to 1.8) gallons remaining. I can only think of one time when I drove it to where the last pip disappeared. I think I was trying for my first 600 mile tank. I did remain close to the gas station. I still had 1.7 gals.

The most important point to be made is that as long are consistent during the last 50 miles as with the first 500, the distant to empty should be reasonably close. In other words, drive like a mad man towards the end of the tank and you will run out well before the distance to empty estimate.

 

By the time the red lights come on (red triangle of death), it's too late.

Just kidding. I agree with you.

 

i think your right, thanks.