distance to empty
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
ML350
distance to empty
frustratingly distance to empty switched from a number to an icon and I failed to memorise the last visible number. I executed "nearest petrol station" and found lots of fuel stations behind me and the next one 35km ahead, I was left in an awkward situation. I was fairly sure I could make it but without dte, not comfortable, so I exited the highway and ended up taking a 1hr detour after fuel because of the lack of on ramps.
VAG cars show dte down to a zero (where you get a few more kms of grace) and this is very helpful because the time you most need to know dte is in the kind of situation I was in.
I tried up and down arrow and ok. is there any way to clear the nanny warning and get back the info?
VAG cars show dte down to a zero (where you get a few more kms of grace) and this is very helpful because the time you most need to know dte is in the kind of situation I was in.
I tried up and down arrow and ok. is there any way to clear the nanny warning and get back the info?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
All I know I'd you can usually get quite a few miles after it goes from a number to the symbol. I had it happen in my last ML when I was in the middle of nowhere (north side of Lake Superior in northern Ontario). I was SURE I was going to run out of fuel but didn't. Put 97 litres in the supposedly 95 liter tank when I finally found a gas station (and got over 1,100 kms on that tank).
I think there is a big safely margin with the reading.
I think there is a big safely margin with the reading.
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
2016 GLC 4Matic
Distance to Empty (DTE)
I have never placed much confidence in those readings. In my 2007 R-Class diesel, the car computer apparently calculated two different Miles Per Gallon (MPG) numbers, the "instant" number and the "average" number. The "instant" number varied wildly depending on what you were doing, e.g. going uphill or coasting downhill. The average numbers were more stable but there were a couple of them. There was: MPG from "start," and MPG since reset, (and yet a third).
I found that the DTE calculation seemed to be based on the "Instant" MPG number and could therefore be very misleading. I could check it and it might read: 450 miles DTE. Ten minutes later, it could read: 60 miles DTE, and then later, 300 DTE.
I now have a 2012 ML350BTC and I think it operates the same way, but haven't yet checked it out carefully.
I'd be very judicious about trusting it.
I found that the DTE calculation seemed to be based on the "Instant" MPG number and could therefore be very misleading. I could check it and it might read: 450 miles DTE. Ten minutes later, it could read: 60 miles DTE, and then later, 300 DTE.
I now have a 2012 ML350BTC and I think it operates the same way, but haven't yet checked it out carefully.
I'd be very judicious about trusting it.
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From: Land of OZ- Mornington Peninsula
ML350 BT soon......pleeeease. GOT IT NOW....Wooooo
[QUOTE=
I tried up and down arrow and ok. is there any way to clear the nanny warning and get back the info?[/QUOTE]
press OK ....warning off... Back to normal display. I am sure this worked for me, but only had it long enough to do once. Certainly is the way on my bmw's
I tried up and down arrow and ok. is there any way to clear the nanny warning and get back the info?[/QUOTE]
press OK ....warning off... Back to normal display. I am sure this worked for me, but only had it long enough to do once. Certainly is the way on my bmw's
Last edited by MLee; Feb 23, 2013 at 09:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 113
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ML350
I must have not pressed OK. Although among all the button pushing, I thought I did.
Today on the way back, using distronic cruise control, all the traffic drove right into a furious rainstorm. I thought, oh good, it is set on max distance. That is helpful because I can hardly see anything. Suddenly bong.. bong.. bong.. I got three yellow messages, distronic not functional, pre-safe not functional, blind spot not functional. I had to OK all three of them.
After the rain subsided, the systems came back again.
Now I know what those pilots face when they get a bunch of computer warnings while trying to fly a plane in problematic weather.
I'm hoping it wasn't a water in the electrics thing, and it was just the radar getting impaired by the quantity of water in the air.
Today on the way back, using distronic cruise control, all the traffic drove right into a furious rainstorm. I thought, oh good, it is set on max distance. That is helpful because I can hardly see anything. Suddenly bong.. bong.. bong.. I got three yellow messages, distronic not functional, pre-safe not functional, blind spot not functional. I had to OK all three of them.
After the rain subsided, the systems came back again.
Now I know what those pilots face when they get a bunch of computer warnings while trying to fly a plane in problematic weather.
I'm hoping it wasn't a water in the electrics thing, and it was just the radar getting impaired by the quantity of water in the air.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 318
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Australia
'24 GLB250. Previously '23 GLB250 '17 GLS500 '14 C250 '13 ML500 '12 C250 '08 ML500 '07 E500 '03 A160
I know exactly what you're referring to, and it drives me mad too. I generally try to not let my tank run that low, but it doesn't always work that way as I have a Caltex fuel card that limits me to their service stations only.
I don't believe there's any way you can clear the "Range" message symbol once it appears without refilling the tank. Once it stops showing a distance to empty kilometre/mile reading and goes to "Range" it means it's seriously getting closer to an empty tank. Just like 2012MLBlue mentioned below I have also continued to drive for about 60km to the nearest town when the "Range" symbol appeared on an interstate trip. I must admit I was a little nervous, and I turned off my aircon and drove at 95km/h until I saw that Caltex sign in the near distance. I then also put about 98 litres in and also believed the tank capacity was 95 litres. Yes, I agree that MB has purposely built in a huge safety margin so us fools who tend to live on the edge don't get caught out, thankfully!
I don't believe there's any way you can clear the "Range" message symbol once it appears without refilling the tank. Once it stops showing a distance to empty kilometre/mile reading and goes to "Range" it means it's seriously getting closer to an empty tank. Just like 2012MLBlue mentioned below I have also continued to drive for about 60km to the nearest town when the "Range" symbol appeared on an interstate trip. I must admit I was a little nervous, and I turned off my aircon and drove at 95km/h until I saw that Caltex sign in the near distance. I then also put about 98 litres in and also believed the tank capacity was 95 litres. Yes, I agree that MB has purposely built in a huge safety margin so us fools who tend to live on the edge don't get caught out, thankfully!
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
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ML350
that episode did flash before me.
I think DTE is calculated from a fairly long average.
After filling to the top, I got a range of 950km yet over the next 30 minutes, during which time the average consumption was 6.9l/100km, distance kept increasing until at most it was 1250 where it stayed for quite a while, but at that point the fuel needle was visibly several mm below full.
If there is still 7 or 8 liters of usable gas when the range icon shows up, that would be 100kms and another hour of gentle cruising. Guess I must shake the habit I've acquired of confidently running tanks down to 10km left. My wife would run the car down to 0 or 5km around home, where you're always a few km from fuel. (But she got caught once doing this and leaving it parked on a 20 degree slope).
I think DTE is calculated from a fairly long average.
After filling to the top, I got a range of 950km yet over the next 30 minutes, during which time the average consumption was 6.9l/100km, distance kept increasing until at most it was 1250 where it stayed for quite a while, but at that point the fuel needle was visibly several mm below full.
If there is still 7 or 8 liters of usable gas when the range icon shows up, that would be 100kms and another hour of gentle cruising. Guess I must shake the habit I've acquired of confidently running tanks down to 10km left. My wife would run the car down to 0 or 5km around home, where you're always a few km from fuel. (But she got caught once doing this and leaving it parked on a 20 degree slope).
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
The ML tank holds 93L. (No arguments will be entered into about fuel in the filler pipe or filters.)
Of that about 12L is classified as reserve.
As I understand it, the yellow light comes on with a ping, when you enter this reserve area. Soon after the DTE figure turns to the bowser icon which can be cancelled with OK. Later the bowser will return and cannot be cancelled until you refill. This has only happened to me once and I think it took 91L to fill.
Whilst I appreciate the ability to drive 1000km on a tank, I am a firm believer that the car will run quite well on the top half of the tank, so why risk the bottom!
Any improvement on my perception will now be gratefully recieved.
Of that about 12L is classified as reserve.
As I understand it, the yellow light comes on with a ping, when you enter this reserve area. Soon after the DTE figure turns to the bowser icon which can be cancelled with OK. Later the bowser will return and cannot be cancelled until you refill. This has only happened to me once and I think it took 91L to fill.
Whilst I appreciate the ability to drive 1000km on a tank, I am a firm believer that the car will run quite well on the top half of the tank, so why risk the bottom!
Any improvement on my perception will now be gratefully recieved.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 S600 Designo, 03 SL500, 1959 220S
When the miles stop displaying you have about a gallon left which will get you just over 20 miles. The ML really should have a bigger tank for the amount of gas it sucks down.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
^^Funny stuff
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Lower Mainland, BC, Canada
13-ML350 BT;06-IS300;99-4Runner
My ML350BT just finished it's 2nd tank of diesel. It logged 622km with 11.8l/100km average speed of 29km/h. I did most of the driving in city with maybe 5% of short freeway driving.
After refill, it predicted 924km range. I don't expect it to go to that range but I am still happy - especially now the diesel price is lower then the gas price!
After refill, it predicted 924km range. I don't expect it to go to that range but I am still happy - especially now the diesel price is lower then the gas price!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 113
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ML350
why did this last post generate poker spam in the email notification.
edit: mods!! cleanup on aisle this one Helden is a dirty spam bot hiding poker sites in smilie gif redirects to fool google..
edit: mods!! cleanup on aisle this one Helden is a dirty spam bot hiding poker sites in smilie gif redirects to fool google..
Last edited by jellies; Mar 2, 2013 at 01:24 AM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From: Land of OZ- Mornington Peninsula
ML350 BT soon......pleeeease. GOT IT NOW....Wooooo
My ML350BT just finished it's 2nd tank of diesel. It logged 622km with 11.8l/100km average speed of 29km/h. I did most of the driving in city with maybe 5% of short freeway driving.
After refill, it predicted 924km range. I don't expect it to go to that range but I am still happy - especially now the diesel price is lower then the gas price!
After refill, it predicted 924km range. I don't expect it to go to that range but I am still happy - especially now the diesel price is lower then the gas price!
Since reset....shows 8.4 l/100km. So I AM expecting easily over 1000km from a tank.
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From: Land of OZ- Mornington Peninsula
ML350 BT soon......pleeeease. GOT IT NOW....Wooooo
57 kph 8.6 l/100km. Overall for 1440km
Today 60 kph average @ 8.1 l/100km for 95 km.
So, if you are using too much fuel.....DRIVE FASTER
Lee
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
I must have not pressed OK. Although among all the button pushing, I thought I did.
Today on the way back, using distronic cruise control, all the traffic drove right into a furious rainstorm. I thought, oh good, it is set on max distance. That is helpful because I can hardly see anything. Suddenly bong.. bong.. bong.. I got three yellow messages, distronic not functional, pre-safe not functional, blind spot not functional. I had to OK all three of them.
After the rain subsided, the systems came back again.
Now I know what those pilots face when they get a bunch of computer warnings while trying to fly a plane in problematic weather.
I'm hoping it wasn't a water in the electrics thing, and it was just the radar getting impaired by the quantity of water in the air.
Today on the way back, using distronic cruise control, all the traffic drove right into a furious rainstorm. I thought, oh good, it is set on max distance. That is helpful because I can hardly see anything. Suddenly bong.. bong.. bong.. I got three yellow messages, distronic not functional, pre-safe not functional, blind spot not functional. I had to OK all three of them.
After the rain subsided, the systems came back again.
Now I know what those pilots face when they get a bunch of computer warnings while trying to fly a plane in problematic weather.
I'm hoping it wasn't a water in the electrics thing, and it was just the radar getting impaired by the quantity of water in the air.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
frustratingly distance to empty switched from a number to an icon and I failed to memorise the last visible number. I executed "nearest petrol station" and found lots of fuel stations behind me and the next one 35km ahead, I was left in an awkward situation. I was fairly sure I could make it but without dte, not comfortable, so I exited the highway and ended up taking a 1hr detour after fuel because of the lack of on ramps.
VAG cars show dte down to a zero (where you get a few more kms of grace) and this is very helpful because the time you most need to know dte is in the kind of situation I was in.
I tried up and down arrow and ok. is there any way to clear the nanny warning and get back the info?
VAG cars show dte down to a zero (where you get a few more kms of grace) and this is very helpful because the time you most need to know dte is in the kind of situation I was in.
I tried up and down arrow and ok. is there any way to clear the nanny warning and get back the info?
Last edited by listerone; Mar 3, 2013 at 08:22 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
My "Distronic Plus" features have only shut down or shown a "feature not available" warning a few times,all of which were during slushly,snowy,icy weather when,I assume,one or more of the sensors were caked with slush/ice.
