What's going on with my MPG?

Ever since I went on a one night trip last week, my distance till empty had been in the 300s, I was at 3/4 of a tank and it said I had 321 miles to empty. I just filled up and now it's saying I have 357. I'll take a 10 mile drive and it'll probably go down like 30 miles. Has anyone had this happen? We all know Tacoma's aren't getting this type of mpg lol after fill-up I'm normally at 257 till empty.

 

That computer is junk. Don't use it.

 

You and lots of other people have experienced it.
There is a logic behind the madness. But my advice is, look at the needle, not the numbers.

Post #9 is full of other experiences like yours.
There been others since that post too.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/“distance-to-empty”.730112/

 

@tacorio25 - I go by the gauge below the speedometer ONLY, cuz it's the only one that matters.
Most recently I've pushed mine to 406 miles on a tank - had about a gallon & a half to spare when I filled up.
Don't know what the algorithm is that calculates DTE and, quite frankly, don't much care.

 

I never trust the DTE on any car. My Chrysler will put the low fuel light on @ 30 miles to empty. I drive (literally) 3 or 4 more miles and it’s at 0 miles to empty. Almost every vehicle I’ve owned that had a trip computer was not accurate.

 

Happy Friday

 

My guess is that the computer estimates your remaining range based on your recent fuel economy. So, for example, if you were just driving on the highway, it may have a high estimate of the remaining range. Then if you switch to stop and go driving it may assume that the remaining fuel in the tank will get lower fuel economy and lower the estimate by a lot.

 

I fixed it the computer for me, works perfect now.

I turned it off the screen so it's blank when I'm driving and for the moment that it flashes on the screen when I shut down the truck, I look away.

 

If my Taco hits the Gas light and I switch to an inclined park… feels like I lose 1/2 to 3/4 of the remaining miles stupid computer but also probably the sensor and gas tank float mechanism

 

tacorio25
friday here we go......
-the tacomas come with a fuel gauge that should be used instead of DTE
-the DTE is just a game added for curiosity like a stupid cat watches a laser
-DTE is calculated by your driving habits of the last tank of gas
-dont rely on DTE, you can run out of gas and be eaten by things outside the truck
-the smart and the strong will survive

 

PSA