Anyone else’s range meter overly optimistic?

[ccasanova22]

I know the Guess-O-Meters for MPG and range can be off on some vehicles, but is any of yours nearly as bad as what I’m getting for an estimate?

I’ll fill up and have 475-498 miles displayed on the range meter, but only get 450 or so miles before the needle is pegged on “E” and the truck is about to run out of fuel.

This usually results in 18.7-18.8 gallons put into the tank, which per the manual, would be completely empty.

Normal or is something out of calibration?

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[myothercarizahearse]

DAMMMM! I filled up this morning for $2.99gal and all I got was 316 miles to E .....yay winter blend

 

[ccasanova22]

DAMMMM! I filled up this morning for $2.99gal and all I got was 316 miles to E .....yay winter blend

Is yours generally overly pessimistic?

 

[CB750F]

I never drive to zero, fill up at 1/4 left.
Not the best idea to run the tank empty. Some pumps get
lubricated by the gas or keep the pump cool, not sure about the Ranger. Anyway, winter gas now & not doing too well, like every winter.

 

[9zero1790]

i did about 300 miles today and noticed i lost 1 mpg from my normal mpg. idk if my area gets winter blend gas. never heard of it till recently lol. i ran down till the 10 miles left warning and it seems pretty empty so im guessing mine is close enough to accurate. ive ran it a bit lower before and remember when i got fuel it took more than normal.

 

[got3fords]

Does it seem more accurate as you put miles on a fill up?

 

[airline tech]

From the Service Manual, you might have issue or just try resetting, check out attached PDF. Nothing pinpointing exact problem area just a simple troubleshoot flow. I did note that disconnecting battery or pulling IPC Fuse will reset it, I would try that or hook up scanner to see if you have any codes, might be fuel gauge sender related. But I would try simple reset first.
At fill up, set it up to watch fuel gauge at filling from below 1/2 tank, note the fuel gauge level at 1/2 tank and note how many gallons you add (pump reading) should be about 9 gallons. This would be a quick check for fuel gauge accuracy. Better yet a scanner to perform self-test on fuel gauge (IPC) Self-Test

Note: In my experience fuel gauge issues show up between 1/2 and full, the upper end of the fuel gauge sender float (sweep) generally Fuel gauge flutter and bounce is the indicator as the fuel is sloshed around in the tank, so this would be another tell-tale sign for you to look at
I think if it's a Fuel Gauge issue, you would see it hit full mark before you get to 9 gallons on the pump from 1/2 tank. Close to 9 gallons anyway, I've seen fuel gauges jump to full at about 3/4 tank verified fuel load. (Note: these issues were on auto's other than the ranger) Former Auto Tech

EDIT: I updated the PDF, to show more detail and highlighted some things

 

[Trustable]

That is strange. Mine always says around 365 or 360 and I only get that much if I’m all freeway at 70mph. It tends to bounce down a day later after I’ve driven 20 miles to 320-300. Hope you can get it fixed!

 

[airline tech]

I was going to point that out as well but could not remember exact number after I filled up, mine is about the same 365 or so - DTE, but mostly city driving. It appears he has mostly HI-Way as the 25 MPG. My avg is around 20-21 MPG

The Math works out though:

479 / 18 Gallons =26.6, close enough to the 25 on his display
365 / 18 Gallons = 20.27, my average 20-21 MPG, however I have never gone below 1/4 Tank

So, if he is maintaining 25 MPG in city - (WOW)
Plus, he was within the (50 Mile allowable) difference as Noted in the PDF attachment, After re-reading his post, I'm thinking it's normal for his driving habits, although I would love to see that on a regular basis on mine

The noted difference, my Auto Start was deleted from factory.

Ironically, I'm close in the OD, just about to hit 2,000, so it's a good comparison, millage wise
Honestly, I would be afraid to fool with it, getting that kind of range, let it be, resetting might make it in line with mine and you will be kicking yourself later for messing with a good thing, unless the gauge is actually faulty. Decisions - Decisions

 

[Muddy Fenders]

The trippy meter is a calculated value.
It gets its numbers from some magical place where your driving style and other factors are continually moving the goal posts.
At best its a guide to let you know if you can make it from the big city to the pumpkin patch.
During your drive, and subsequent alterations to that plan, it can and will change.
Want to know if its accurate, be consistent over numerous tank full's and watch the magic unfold before your very eyes and forget about digging deeper into the realm of codes and resets.

 

[AzScorpion]

There's 1,000's of thread on this already if you use the search bar.

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