Tripminder - Operation

83ford8

Article No. 83-20-7

TRIPMINDER - DISTANCE-TO-EMPTY OPERATION


LINCOLN-MERCURY 1982-83 CONTINENTAL

Analysis of returned tripminders indicates that there is a general misunderstanding of the distance-to-empty (DTE) function. Tripminder modules are being replaced because the DTE readings increase rather than continually decrease while driving. The DTE indication is dependent on the then-available fuel economy (F/Econ) and the indicated amount of fuel in the tank to give actual distance to empty at the then-current driving conditions.

The tripminder DTE function was designed to increase as well as decrease. For instance, if 20 gallons of fuel was registered in the tank by the fuel level sensor and the tripminder had registered 20 MPG on fuel economy (F/Econ), then at that instant the DTE will indicate 400 miles to empty. Should driving conditions change where F/Econ drops to, say, 15 MPG, then the DTE will decline gradually to read 300 miles to empty for that same 20 gallons in the fuel tank.

Conversely, if driving conditions again change to where F/Econ increases to 25 MPG, the DTE indication will gradually increase to 500 miles to empty for that same 20 gallons in the fuel tank.

In other words, DTE does not begin with fixed miles to empty on a fill and necessarily continue to decline as fuel is used. DTE can go up as well as down.

However, if DTE remains very high in relationship to the fuel gauge indication, refer to TSB 82-16-3, dated 8/12/82, and Shop Manual Section 33-82-20 for diagnosis and service.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 82-16-3
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"