fuel light
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,093
Likes: 147
From: San Diego, CA
I have never relied on my truck's computer to give an accurate indication of mileage average/remaining. For my generation (99-04) it is commonly referred to as the "lie-o-meter". While I do not have a calculation for miles remaining on the tank, my owner's manual says that the low fuel light should come on with about 3-4 gallons remaining. From my hand calculation that I do after each fill-up, that seems about right.
I'm sure there's some complicated algorithm that the computer uses to calculate the miles remaining (throttle position, current fuel flow, usage history, chicken bones, whatever) that's about as accurate as it can be for the changing conditions that you use the truck so it won't be too accurate. The 8 mile spread you give in your example is a pretty narrow band considering the overall miles per tank these things get. My wife's Jeep will often stay at a specific miles remaining for quite a few miles based on the current driving conditions and sometimes it goes up briefly.
If you are basing your fill-ups off if your low fuel light and are concerned about it's accuracy (and the dealer gives you the brush-off), I would disconnect both of your batteries at the (+) terminal, let the truck sit for about 30 minutes and then reconnect the batteries. This should clear out the RAM in your computers and the truck will "relearn" itself and you driving habits. This reset might re-adjust the miles reamining calculation to something a little more accurate to your liking. It may make a difference and it may not. At least it's something to try and best thing is it's free.
Just my .02
I'm sure there's some complicated algorithm that the computer uses to calculate the miles remaining (throttle position, current fuel flow, usage history, chicken bones, whatever) that's about as accurate as it can be for the changing conditions that you use the truck so it won't be too accurate. The 8 mile spread you give in your example is a pretty narrow band considering the overall miles per tank these things get. My wife's Jeep will often stay at a specific miles remaining for quite a few miles based on the current driving conditions and sometimes it goes up briefly.
If you are basing your fill-ups off if your low fuel light and are concerned about it's accuracy (and the dealer gives you the brush-off), I would disconnect both of your batteries at the (+) terminal, let the truck sit for about 30 minutes and then reconnect the batteries. This should clear out the RAM in your computers and the truck will "relearn" itself and you driving habits. This reset might re-adjust the miles reamining calculation to something a little more accurate to your liking. It may make a difference and it may not. At least it's something to try and best thing is it's free.
Just my .02
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