"0 miles to Empty"
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 2
From: Sunny SOCAL!
"0 miles to Empty"
I have seen a number of threads here about the digital display or "lie o meter" as some refer to it in regards to MPG etc... that it displays.
Well today I ALMOST found out the hard way that when it displays "0 miles to E" it is pretty dead on accurate. I saw it counting down miles as I was driving and assumed that there was a reserve even after it said 0 miles. I was getting off the freeway when it stuttered once...and then twice and then a third time. Luckily I crested the top of the off ramp, rolled a right on a green and then into the local gas station.
I don't know exactly how the computer figures out all that stuff but I am now a FIRM believer in that little digital display and all it's information.
Well today I ALMOST found out the hard way that when it displays "0 miles to E" it is pretty dead on accurate. I saw it counting down miles as I was driving and assumed that there was a reserve even after it said 0 miles. I was getting off the freeway when it stuttered once...and then twice and then a third time. Luckily I crested the top of the off ramp, rolled a right on a green and then into the local gas station.
I don't know exactly how the computer figures out all that stuff but I am now a FIRM believer in that little digital display and all it's information.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
Well Dude, you're probably one of the few believers in that thing. I would love to be able to trust it, but when mine says I have 640 miles to empty, when I know at best I can get 530 miles to a tank, I don't trust it on bit. Just my $.02
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
I've always read that the Miles To Empty is pretty darn accurate. It's the Avg. MPG that tends to not be spot on, especially if you have a tuner of any sort. For example, DP-Tuner on the 7.3L tends to make the overhead display just about 3mpg over what you'll find when you hand calculate.
I trust the Miles to Empty pretty firmly, though.
I trust the Miles to Empty pretty firmly, though.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: latrobe pa
Mine has been right a couple of times after highway driving , however it normally takes 25 of the 29 gallons that the tank holds when reading "0", meaning that theres still 4 gallons left in the tank .
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Texas
I agree . . .
I have rolled an additional 7 to 10 miles after it has read empty. Thankfully on a level surface vs. up & down. That way it can suck up the last of it from the bottom of the middle of the tank where the low spot & pick up are.
Yeah, miles to empty is prety acurate, Now that I Harpooned we'll see if it learns the new capacity.
Yeah, miles to empty is prety acurate, Now that I Harpooned we'll see if it learns the new capacity.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by mongo75
I don't trust it on bit. Just my $.02
1999 F-350 Lariat Dually 4x4 CC LB 7.3L AFE intake, 3 gauge pillar, 4" Magnaflow ex., Diablosport tuner SEMPER FI ! !
1999 F-350 Lariat Dually 4x4 CC LB 7.3L AFE intake, 3 gauge pillar, 4" Magnaflow ex., Diablosport tuner SEMPER FI ! !
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
miles to MT is garbage
I recently ran out of gas because I believed the miles to MT
. Just before the truck died it flashed 10 miles to E, then counted down to 2 in seconds. Leaving me high and dry on the Interstate.
F150 stock Lariat, 2009, 5.4, pulling a travel tailer. Is there some way to reset and or calibrate this thing? If not, how about just turning it off?
. Just before the truck died it flashed 10 miles to E, then counted down to 2 in seconds. Leaving me high and dry on the Interstate.F150 stock Lariat, 2009, 5.4, pulling a travel tailer. Is there some way to reset and or calibrate this thing? If not, how about just turning it off?
Last edited by petekroop; Jul 23, 2010 at 06:34 PM. Reason: add date
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 2
From: Spring Lake
After much observation I have determined its a function of your avg. economy and your current fuel consumption rate. My low fuel light comes on when I have a range of 50 miles according to lie-o-meter, however depending on my driving style determines how long it takes.
It does not subtract mile-for-mile but seems to say 'okay you should have 50 miles left' but then it adjusts itself to accordingly to give a reading all the way to empty.
I had it down to 7 once and drove another mile to the gas station and put in 35 gallons. Depending on what I read I have somewhere between a 38-43 gallon tank.
Moral of the story, that little lie-o-meter is as accurate as a MI weatherman. The only time it is accurate is at the last minute or after the fact. Thus treat it as if it was a MI weatherman... if it says once thing, just use it as a guestimate... from experience, when it says 30 miles left thats ur cue to get gas.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
Well, like so many other things, you're mileage may vary! I kinda got stuck once and got mine down to 9 miles to empty. I pulled into the station, and I was able to put 39 gallons in my 38 gallon tank. I don't intend to ever let it get that low again. But, there's my story.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 420
From: Long Island USA
I have a rhetorical question: Why are you running it that low? 
Personally, I run mine until the low-fuel light is on, and sometimes even a bit after. I don't have the lie-o-meter to rely on to tell me to get gas
I can understand being in a sticky situation where there's no gas station around, or diesel for that matter, but...
Personally, I run mine until the low-fuel light is on, and sometimes even a bit after. I don't have the lie-o-meter to rely on to tell me to get gas
I can understand being in a sticky situation where there's no gas station around, or diesel for that matter, but...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
Well, for me, like I said, I had a brain fart and kinda let my mind wander. I normally only let it get to a quarter of a tank, if that. For one thing, too many of the stations around here still have that stupid $75.00 limit on my card. But otherwise, I just don't like letting it get too low. I learned my lesson...won't do it again.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 2
Mine has been pretty accurate, within 1/10MPG when calculated. BTW, it is not a good idea to run the truck below 1/4 tank... gas or diesel, but especially diesels. It is so hard on the fuel system, I don't really understand why people run these trucks down to next to nothing. End of lecture.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 32
From: AB/BC
I have a rhetorical question: Why are you running it that low?
Personally, I run mine until the low-fuel light is on, and sometimes even a bit after. I don't have the lie-o-meter to rely on to tell me to get gas
I can understand being in a sticky situation where there's no gas station around, or diesel for that matter, but...
Personally, I run mine until the low-fuel light is on, and sometimes even a bit after. I don't have the lie-o-meter to rely on to tell me to get gas
I can understand being in a sticky situation where there's no gas station around, or diesel for that matter, but...