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weird DTE (Distance to empty) error
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Notacarguy7
New User
Jul 27, 2020, 1:37 AM
Post #1 of 5
(1203 views)
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weird DTE (Distance to empty) error
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I have a 2016 Kia Forte LX (manual transmission) I bought in March. Since I bought it, I've put approx 9k miles on it (including 1k from a vacation 2 weeks ago).
About a week ago, I noticed that the DTE (Distance To Empty) gauge is dropping way more rapidly than it should. I get approximately 35 mpg. The gas needle isn't moving any differently than it usually does, but a 20 mile trip to work (mostly highway / country, some city) will have the DTE drop as much as 40 miles.
A Kia dealer repair tech told me to reset the trip meters. I havent used the meters since I bought the car. I reset them and the mpg measure the last 2 times I out gas in the csr, but that hasn't fixed the problem.
Before I get expensive diagnostics, anyone have an idea what I could be looking for? The car drives fine, no other issues. Its just that meter dropping concerns me.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 27, 2020, 4:24 AM
Post #2 of 5
(1200 views)
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Re: weird DTE (Distance to empty) error
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The first advice I can give you is that if you continue to run the tank that low you will be replacing a very expensive fuel pump real soon.
You are expecting way more accuracy than the system is capable of. There are many factors that vary mileage such as outside temp, engine temp, distance traveled, speed traveled, quality of fuel, etc.
Fuel mileage is an average, not accurate for any specific time and measurement of remaining fuel is nothing but an estimate derived from a float level.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Notacarguy7
New User
Jul 27, 2020, 2:14 PM
Post #3 of 5
(1127 views)
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Re: weird DTE (Distance to empty) error
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I havent run the tank low yet. What I said was the meter drops more rapidly than the gas gauge. The reset does seem to be helping, but I dont think thats the whole answer.
At least it gives me one possibility to keep an eye on, thank you for that. I do think I am expecting too much for my gauges to work properly, especially when it worked just fine the week before.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 27, 2020, 2:17 PM
Post #4 of 5
(1125 views)
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Re: weird DTE (Distance to empty) error
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You're asking for a precise calculation from a float in a wide tank with fuel sloshing all around. Not going to happen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 27, 2020, 3:37 PM
Post #5 of 5
(1120 views)
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Re: weird DTE (Distance to empty) error
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My 2 cents: Don't count on those handy, dandy features so much. Fuel, gas especially is also different in seasons plus expands and contracts with temperature actually quite a bit!
Since forever for myself do suggest reset trip odometer when you fill up. You've guessed some MPG so pick the # to fill again knowing it's more than 1/4 to be good to a fuel pump plus at least have more assorted surprises makes sense.
Now when possible see if a road with mile markers if used matches what YOUR specific car reads over at least 5 miles or more the better. Now you know it's accurate.
You can check speed with any GPS should or if going 60 (legally) stay right there is to a stop watch one minute do the math tells you,
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jul 27, 2020, 3:39 PM)
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