[placidpete]

Does anyone have a miles to empty indicator that works properly? My new LT does not recalculate 'miles to empty' when I refuel. It continues to count down to zero and then recalculates - sometimes this is a day or two after refuelling. The dealer installed a software update from a Chevrolet Technical Bulletin but that made no difference.

The counter and fuel gauge are clearly working so failing to recalculate distance to empty after refuelling seems like a definite software bug to me. Any ideas please?

Edited by: placidpete

 

[Big Al]

After re-fueling mine recalculates straight away, does not go right down to empty though shuts off when it gets downto 30 miles left. Sounds like its back to the garage.

 

[sydney]

mine does exactly the same. does not reset immediately. Only seems to reset when I get down to what would have been empty if I hadn't refueled ( if that makes sense !)
Not really too bothered as it's a bit of a gimic anyway given that there's a fuel gaueg anyway- will get it looked at at some point

 

[K.L.Richards]

Mine (2008 LTX Diesel) takes account of a refuel straight away. However, I have mentioned that it does an intermittent reset and shows --- instead of a number. No pattern to this, have reported it the the dealer, who said there is a notice on this that they where going to dig out for me. Saying that, it may be the notice you are all referring to, which seems worse than my position.


Mind you, it's accuracy is really out. It jumps down very very quickly, to saying I have 50 miles to go, when I still have a quarter of a tank of diesel. Out of interest I ran it nearly dry once, on purpose to work out the real MPG I was getting, as apposed the ludicrous Ltrs/ 100 Miles the computer was reporting. The computer said I was out and I drove another 100 miles before I got the red light on the fuel gauge and decided to fill up.



All I can really say about the car's trip computer is that "The Computer Says NO" ...

 

[placidpete]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've just switched to the LT from a Volvo which reset on refuel and was pretty accurate so I tended to use this function more than the fuel gauge for the last few years. From the replies, it still seems as though the fuel/distance calculation software is buggy. Maybe I'll learn to live with it in time but it niggles on a car that's three weeks old!

 

[placidpete]

So here's the official word on the matter: Technical Bulletin No 334 from Chevrolet describing Distance For Remaining Fuel Logic Driver Information Centre (DIC)

It says:

"The DIC is programmed to display the most accurate Distance For Remaining Fuel reading as possible.


Due to the Saddle type fuel tank, the fuel level in the left compartment can differ from the right. Therefore each compartment has its own fuel level sensor, so with a half-empty fuel tank, the left can be completely full, while the right will be completely empty.


To make the calculation for Remaining fuel the Engine Control Module will measure one side then the other, this delays sending of information to the display. This is most prevalent after refueling, the calculation has to count down before it's able to display the correct distance.


The remaining distance reading will differ from the actual distance because of different driving patterns, driving conditions and speed.


The readings on the DIC are also affected by the Diesel Particulate Filter (Emissions Control). During regeneration the Control Unit commands the engine to burn off excessive soot in the filter by injecting increased amounts of fuel. During this process the Distance reading will drop due to increased fuel consumption.


None of the above affect the actual fuel gauge because of a software damping process in the instrument cluster.


This is a characteristic of the DIC system and repairs under warranty should not be attempted."

Now, all of this seems to me to be flawed logic and will never produce "the most accurate Distance For Remaining Fuel reading as possible". If there are independent fuel level sensors in each side of the tank then why can't it simply read these and calculate correctly on refueling. I know its never going to be 100% accurate but to continue to count down to zero miles after refuelling just makes no sense whatsoever. This looks like sloppy coding to me and Chevrolet should be ashamed that their fuel distance reading just doesn't work properly.

Can anyone advise me on how to take this up with Chevrolet?

Edited by: placidpete

 

[Big Al]

So what there saying is "I think" when you re-fuel it takes time to work out the average of the two halves of the tank and then its only a "guesstimate", because the miles left is a reading based on the MPG you have been getting since the DIC was last re-set. And if the majority of that was based on slow motorway driving with only one person in, and the last few miles where seven people in driving round town with hard acceleration which also includes a re-generation burn, the calculation for miles left in the tank is going to be a bit of a wrong guess. So alright we know that now the DIC shows only uneducated guesses. [DIC being the right name for it] but to methey have not explained why you are getting a count down reading as if you have not refueled till it arrives at no fuel left, then gives you a regenerated reading of miles left to go. If that is how it is and all the captiva's are the same, why does mine recalculate when I refuel.???

 

[placidpete]

Exactly! So since yours recalculates on a refuel and mine doesn't then mine is either different (possibly because of a hardware or software change) or it's faulty.

 

[Big Al]

We know they are not that acurate but mine does try its best, If I just put a tenner in say, the reading does go up by what I would expect. Then if I reset the trip speedo at the same time, they dobothseem to count down together give or take a little. Yours being a new car is taking a step backwards, time to go have a word with them, but not be so placid pete, {see what I did there}

 

[placidpete]

Thanks Big Al, I'm on the case!

 

[placidpete]

So here's what's happened in the last few weeks. After contacting Chevrolet Customer Care, their technical team recommended the dealer replace the Driver Information Centre (DIC) - this made no difference.

The service manager at my local dealer (who, to be fair, aren't the culprits here) has now discussed the problem with the Area Technical Specialist from Chevrolet who says they are are aware that there are problems with the 'miles to empty' operation but can't confirm if Chevrolet is planning a fix or not. Pretty poor response from one of the world's largest car manufacturers so if anyone knows how to get the attention of someone senior at Chevrolet I'd love to hear from you.

Meanwhile my CD player has failed so it's back to the dealer next week for a replacement.

Edited by: placidpete

 

[placidpete]

Just to update everyone on the complete lack of progress after four months, I spoke with the service manager at my local dealer who arranged to discuss the problem with the area technical rep. Apparently, he drives a Captiva too and has noticed a similar problem although his appears to recalculate correctly if left overnight. The service manager (who has been quite reasonable and understands that I'm concerned this problem might just get forgotten about) says he thinks Chevrolet accept there is a fault but apparently there is no commitment that a fix will be made available. He'll call me as soon as he hears anything definitive.

Unhappy with this, I called (again) Chevrolet Customer Care about three weeks ago - I was promised a phone call next day - nothing! I called yet again last week and was promised a call back after investigation - nothing so far (although I suppose the Easter break has got in the way).

PLEASE DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO LOG A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH CHEVROLET? I'm convinced this problem is being ignored hoping it will go away. Meanwhile I have a fault since new and I'm getting tired of being fobbed off.

Does anyone from Chevrolet moderate this forum??????

 

[placidpete]

An so it goes on...

I was told about a month ago the problem has been referred to Korea. I called Chevrolet Customer Care last week for an update and was promised a callback - didn't happen. Called again today and was told no update on my record but the person dealing with it would be back tomorrow. In my experience, I've learned that Chevrolet Customer Care return only about 1 in 3 of my calls when they promise to call back.

I've now got the managers name so I'm going to e-mail him.

Still, I've only had this fault for 6 months so i suppose it's early days yet

Oh, and my local dealer said they had someone with the same problem.

All I want if for Chevrolet to tell me they have taken ownership of this fault and to tell me when it will be resolved. I'm prepared to wait a bit longer as long as I know it's going to happen someday.

 

[sydney]

I've got the same problem, but just ignore it now to be honest- I just rely on the old fashioned analogue dial. Always thought digital "count down" displays were a bit pointless.
That said, I agree that if there is one, it should work !



I'll mention it when it'd due its first service. By that time, perhaps Chevrolet might have sorted the issue.

 

[marc338751]

Just to add my experience, The DIC reading on our 09 LTX auto 7s does does read full after filling up (368 miles) and does seem to count down ok. The only problem is 368 miles on a full tank works out at 26mpg which isn't very good for motorway miles. Oh and as for the mpg reading on the computer.... what rubbish. at best mine reads about 11.0mpg round town then goes down to 8/9.0mpg on the moterway. Chevrolet have down loaded the latest programe ( so they say ) but this has made no difference.

 

[carey_uk]

Hi,

I have just picked up my 61 Plate LT Spec, and after filling the car up, found the same issue. I read 85 miles to empty. Filled up with £68 Diesel, and range to empty shows 70 miles!!!! Upon reaching zero, reset to 416 miles......

Definatley seems a huge step backwards to me... CAn it be recified is the big question?

Most annoying for a new car this day and age..

 

[Speedy]

Mine works ok but bears no resemblance to actual mpg and distances......hmmmm, that statement is a bit of a contradiction! Hey, it looks nice though and it's got a petrol gauge! I'm not even sure the compass is correct!

 

[K.L.Richards]

My compass was wrong.... There is a bit in the handbook on how to calibrate the compass. Did this, and it is now right... Cant remember exactly what to do, you press some buttons on the unit at the same time then, drive a BIG circle slowly, until the compass is calibrated. Checked it against another compass and satnav, and it is close enough now. Considering the type of display will have an inbuilt error, it is within tolerance.

 

[Moboy]

Mine works. Filled up yesterday and checked as soon as I switched my engine on BEFORE I had reset the trip meter. Straight back up to 467miles from 32 before the fill. Seems to be an issue affecting some people. Could be related to the firmware version of the DIC.
Edited by: Moboy

 

[BradBSC]

hi, sorry to reignite this thread.Im having the same problem, it worked fine until last week when after I had it serviced it didn't recognise I had filled up.

did you get anywhere with this?

thanks