Ford Focus Mk2 on board computer question

[macs]

just got an 07 plate mk2 Focus TDCi 1.8 and i have a question about the miles to empty screen on the dashboard computer.

How accurate will it be?

not had one of these before and it seems to fluctuate a bit during the use of a tank depending on the consumption. the only time i'm ever gonna care about it is when it gets right down to the bottom when i will be looking to see how many miles i have left. So i suppose the question should be, how accurate will it be at the end of a tank? will it play it on the safe side and say it will run out at 540 miles but will probably have another 20miles left in the tank? or is that just wishful thinking?

Thanks a lot for any advice in advance.

[Austin3000]

Don't know if this is any help but I had one of those as a company car a couple of years back (130bhp model) and it would go to work and back twice when the trip computer said 0 miles and I lived 10 miles from work via country roads and queing traffic.

I personally think they are very pesamistic.

[beano9]

Not sure if this will help either but ...

Av got a 08 plate van 2l tdi transit and i can get atleast 10miles extra when is show 0miles left or when it show 8miles lefe if i drive really easy it will pop but up to 15 some times but this is a van

[focusboy]

ive got a mk1 and can normally get another 18-20 miles of steady driving, mine being a 1.8 tddi, see top gear sunday? rekon the jag could have done another 130 miles? no telling now a days tho is there

garry

[Zad]

Modern diesels really don't like ingesting air in their fuel pumps, so the manufacturers build in a reserve. A petrol engine could probably run totally dry without too much of a problem, whereas a diesel might start pulling in air with a gallon or more left.

[Foxta]

Easy option... dont let it get low =P

[M-Ster]

Most usually say when it shows empty there is 20 miles worth of fuel left in it.

They also say if you let a diesel run completely out of fuel the fuel system has to be bled.