Notices
2015 - 2020 F150 Discuss the 2015 - 2020 Ford F150
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

2015 Information Display DTE calculation error?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 7, 2015 | 01:56 AM
  #1  
His/Hers 6.0s's Avatar
His/Hers 6.0s
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 6
From: Pacific Northwest
2015 Information Display DTE calculation error?

In the "Settings" menu, under "DTE Calculation", it appears there is an error in programming. There are two options to select: "Normal" and "Towing".
When towing is selected, the DTE number goes up. When "Normal" is selected, the DTE value goes down. For example: this evening on a full tank, the DTE number was 780 with towing selected. When I changed it to normal, the number went down to 550. This seems backwards. Ford, care to comment??
2015 F-150 XLT FX4 3.5L EcoBoost
 

Last edited by His/Hers 6.0s; Jul 7, 2015 at 01:59 AM. Reason: Added vehicle information
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2015 | 07:40 AM
  #2  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Subscribed to see if someone from Ford answers.
 
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2015 | 07:50 AM
  #3  
rmccbride's Avatar
rmccbride
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 474
Likes: 4
From: SE Michigan
I'll have to check mine!
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2015 | 07:32 AM
  #4  
His/Hers 6.0s's Avatar
His/Hers 6.0s
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 6
From: Pacific Northwest
2015 F150 XL 2.7L EcoBoost ok

Apparently this issue is isolated to a particular model. My 2.7L work truck functions as you'd expect. Ford this is a modest safety issue. I just took a 3500 mile vacation through the desert southwest towing a trailer in 100+ degree weather and there are many spots where it's 100 miles or more between gas stations and a DTE calculation that gives you a bigger number when set to towing could help create an out of fuel situation.
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2015 | 09:25 AM
  #5  
riclar's Avatar
riclar
Junior User
10 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Harbour ON
DTE is just a estimate and should not be used as fact, I would suggest if your concerned about distance between fueling stations then maybe a spare can of gas should be taken with you on your trip
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2015 | 10:07 AM
  #6  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Originally Posted by riclar
DTE is just a estimate and should not be used as fact, I would suggest if your concerned about distance between fueling stations then maybe a spare can of gas should be taken with you on your trip
That's not the point. The issue is that there is a problem and Ford needs to address it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2015 | 10:30 AM
  #7  
riclar's Avatar
riclar
Junior User
10 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Harbour ON
Originally Posted by Gary Lewis
That's not the point. The issue is that there is a problem and Ford needs to address it.

Have to disagree, my truck displays properly. This just may need a reflash of the software by the dealer. I would be interested in how may 3.5's are having this problem.
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2015 | 10:37 AM
  #8  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I'm not saying it is a problem with all the trucks. But it is at least a problem with His/Her's truck, so Ford needs to fix it.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 8, 2015 | 10:54 AM
  #9  
GlueGuy's Avatar
GlueGuy
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Originally Posted by riclar
Have to disagree, my truck displays properly. This just may need a reflash of the software by the dealer. I would be interested in how may 3.5's are having this problem.
Have to admit that I don't pay that much attention to it. However, I do notice that the DTE calculation adjusts dynamically to whatever your instantaneous mileage happens to be. When I'm going up the mountain, my DTE goes down quite a bit, but when I'm going down the mountain, the DTE magically goes back up. My instantaneous mileage going down the mountain is nearly 30 MPG.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2015 | 04:33 AM
  #10  
tseekins's Avatar
tseekins
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Veteran: Coast Guard
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,042
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
In the interim, I'd suggest hand calculating your fuel economy for a while towing and empty just so you can become more familiar with your truck.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2015 | 06:15 AM
  #11  
Frdtrkrul's Avatar
Frdtrkrul
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
I'd use something like gasbuddy app on your phone if you have one to help out or plan a trip accordingly. On any vehicle equipped with a DTE, I never pay any attention to them since they are inaccurate. Doesn't matter if its new and improved, last thing I'd want to do is trust a computer for doing the math for mileage. Rather just fill up when you can on a trip, especially while towing. I haven't seen any Ford reps on here since the Q&A session a while back, do they even frequent the forum anymore? I agree with Tim and do it by hand until something gets figured out.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2015 | 07:07 AM
  #12  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I guess there's a remote possibility that your Tow/Haul mileage mileage is better than your normal mileage. In that case the DTE, which probably uses the average MPG for that driving mode, would show a longer distance for T/H than normal.

When you switch over to T/H in Settings does the average MPG change?
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2015 | 06:08 PM
  #13  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Took my truck on a drive today and I played with the DTE calculation. But, I'm confused with the results:
  • The DTE showed 690 miles on Normal, but it went to 654 miles when I switched to Tow/Haul - and when I immediately switched back to Normal the DTE stayed at 654.
  • About 6 miles later the DTE showed 648 miles on Normal, but went up to 677 when I switched to T/H
Oddly enough, I didn't drive in T/H at all, so the calculated MPG for T/H couldn't have changed between those tests. So, I don't have an explanation as to why the DTE changes.

Also, I can't find anything in the owner's manual that explains how the DTE calculation is done, nor what the difference is between Normal and T/H for DTE. I downloaded the manual as a pdf and searched it, but the few hits for "DTE" didn't explain whatsoever about how it is done. But, if anyone finds it, please let me know.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2015 | 11:04 PM
  #14  
Frdtrkrul's Avatar
Frdtrkrul
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
Curious to know, with stock tires is the speedometer even dead on? I know that at least in the early 2000s and previous Ford allowed a +/- 3mph difference between the speedometer and tire size reading. I know on my truck running stock 255/70/16 I have to drive at 58mph on the speedo to be going 55. But with 265/75/16 its dead nuts on the money. I know its a 16 year gap but it should be relevant.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 07:25 AM
  #15  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Mine is dead on when checking with GPS. And that's with the stock 20" tires and wheels.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:01 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE