I am not sure if this feature is just on 2009 models, but I am hoping there is something wrong with my fuel range indicator.

My fuel range gauge will honestly move 50 miles (plus or minus) on a two mile drive. It absolutely provides ZERO helpful information on how many miles I have left on a tank of gas.

Does anyone else have this problem?

 

that is correct. it moves as you go depending on your current consumption. If you do mostly city driving, it will be low, and then as you move onto the freeway, it will continue to rise because it estimates it based on your latest consumption with what you have

 

This is absolutely normal. It is predictive, based on how you are driving. If you stomp the gas pedal, it correctly computes that you are a gas hog and will estimate a much reduced travel distance before the tank empties. If you are miserly, it will predict longer trip distance.

A two mile distance, from start, is the wrong time to be trusting this predictor. The predictor works well after you've been driving a while (10 min to several hours) and will continue to drive in much the same circumstances.

If that two mile distance is not from start, but in traffic, then it can easily change based on current changes in your driving technique. Start and stop block by block, or a long straight on a boulevard.

In any case, you should watch the actual gas gauge. It's fairly accurate in telling you when you're nearly out of gas.

If I start slow with a full tank, get on the freeway and drive moderately between 62 and 78, my predictor gauge will easily suggest I can drive over 500 miles on the tank. Reality intervenes, though, when I stop, start, hit city streets, and etc. Even so, I often top 400 miles on a tank.

The only real fault I find with this predictor is that once the "feed me" icon appears, it no longer allows you to see the predicted distance available. Sure it was 45 miles a minute ago, but what it is now? Dunno, 'cause it wants to be fed.

 

What kind of information is this really providing? All of my other cars with fuel range have been quite helpful, this one not so much.

 

IMO its more accurate this way. Lets say that you do mostly city driving, and your fuel range is low because you are doing a lot of stop and go, with a full tank, it is displaying around 260 miles (15mpg x 17 gallons). well then lets say you move onto the freeway and can average 24 mpg. wouldnt you want your range to reflect your new mpg?

 

I average about 275 miles per tank 60% street 40% freeway.

 

My 220CDI easily achieves 600 miles per fill on a trip.

 

I find the real-time predictor very useful and much more accurate than similar features on other cars. I have only had the "feed me" icon come on twice but I thought you can still get an expected range out of it. I recall that it came up at around 50km left. The closest I have pushed it was 12km left.

 

One way trip easily I can drive from LA to SF about 475 mls

 

The real time predictor is actually very good. Much better than some other cars. I find it useful to determine when the reserve fuel indicator comes on which is always around the 22-25~ miles left range.

And...comparing diesel fuel range to gasoline is like comparing apples to oranges. The big v8 Diesel on the Jaguar that was featured on Top Gear could go 900+ miles.

 

Just skiting & I bet the Jag's fuel tank had a lot greater capacity than 66 litres as in the C Class. !!