I have noticed that too. At first I thought the range number was based on the current average MPG that shows up below the range numbers. However, I have witnessed more drastic changes in range when I get off the highway with an empty tank and start driving in stop and go traffic. The range decreases far faster than the actual miles I drive so the computer must be using actual numbers as it constantly recalculates.

 

My take on it







Not definitively speaking but I do believe this is a product of the fuel level in the tank only. I say this for two reasons. When my car was having trouble reading full on the gauge even though it was full the estimated miles to empty did not go over 415 ever. Once the problem was corrected the same reading is now between 515 and 525 and the reason for that variation I think is the point where the pump shuts off. Which again leads back to the fuel level. The only time it starts to change is like you said is when you start actually driving then it’s altered by the computer based on driving habits.

 

Q: How does the Range work?

A: Not very well.

 

+1 0

q: How does the range work?

a: Not very well.

 

Maybe I misunderstood where you asking for an opinion or a definition?

 

Sorry - just couldn't resist.

My experience is that the range indicator is wildely optomistic immediately after fill up and must be based on fuel level and theoretical distance.

Based on what I've seen in my 6 monthos of ownership, the range is not reflective of your driving habits or past performance. It is not a "learning" system as it still shows me a huge range after fill up, even though I have never came close to achieving that range on a tank of gas.

 

My guess is that that range estimator works based on perceived fuel consumption algorithm.
Let's say you've filled your tank to full, and range shows you 430 miles based on initial perception of highway. Instead, you drive streets for 2 consecutive days and made 40 miles. Than, range estimator perceives that the rest of the tank you'll drive the streets only, and instead of showing you 390 miles, it switches to 340 miles - not in one step, but gradually.

 

meh Ive been averaging anywhere from 470-512 on a fill and I get about half of that after driving down to E

 

omg... u guys... the range is dependent on what your average mpg was before you filled up. so the 1st tank u ran 31 mpg. then the range would be calculated upon that number. then you run 28 mpg the next tank, it calculates then and gives you your estimated range. its all according to your previous average mpg. cause you can be in the city and averaging 24 mpg but you do a long highway trip. u need a new range estimate then. its all depending on your previous trip.

 

Nope. That's just plain wrong.

If that was the case, it wouldn't typically be showing me a range of 790km -815km after every fill when only once have I had more than 600km on a tank.

 

Thanks guys for the responses. Some are even funny. I just remember back in my 11 Sonata, it was more accurate based on the amount of fuel in the tank since I am consistently getting around the same range ever fill up no matter if I drove highway or city. I do believe the range in the 2015 is somewhat based on the amount of fuel in the tank, your previous driving miles, and current driving habit. Either way, I agree it doesn't reflect correct range since range can indicate I have 40 miles left but when I put the car in sport mode and step on the gas, I could go less than a mile and it will indicate I lost 2 miles of range already. At least I now know it's not just based on the fuel in the tank.

 

In my experience with my Genesis Coupe, and now this Sonata, the range has always been based on my previous MPG. If I was on a road trip averaging 28mpg in my coupe, and I had to fill up my range would be over 400 miles. A normal week of commuting to and from work with lunch trips daily my average was around 22.5mpg. My range would then reflect around 350 miles. This car would also go blank when you went under 30 miles of range, which I think is because the car was not GDI, but that idea may be wrong. Now with the 2015 Sonata, I have not paid close attention to this, but I average around 25mpg on the same commute that I made with my coupe. I have it set to reset the MPG every fill up (hopefully you all know about that because this will play a factor in this debate) and I consistently average over 500 miles of range. My only missing component is how many miles I truly got on a tank. I will try to gauge it on this next tank

 

I agree that the range is based on the average mile on the full tank before. Always estimates what my average was the tank before.
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