Ford DTE (Distance To Empty) Calculator
Estimate your remaining driving range based on fuel levels and average consumption logic.
How the Ford DTE Calculation Works
The "Distance To Empty" (DTE) display in Ford vehicles (including F-150, Explorer, Escape, and Mustang) is a computer-generated estimate, not a direct measurement. Understanding how this number is derived can help you avoid range anxiety and interpret fluctuations in the number.
1. The Running Average Fuel Economy (RAFE)
Unlike instantaneous MPG, which changes every second you press the gas pedal, the DTE calculator uses a "Running Average." For most modern Ford vehicles, this is calculated based on the last 500 miles (approx. 800 km) of driving history.
This is why your DTE might drop drastically when you start towing a trailer. The computer sees a sudden decrease in efficiency and adjusts the remaining range downwards to prevent you from running out of gas.
2. The "Reserve" Buffer
Ford engineers design the fuel gauge to read "0 Miles to Empty" while there is still a small amount of fuel left in the tank. This is known as the reserve buffer.
- Standard Tanks: Usually hold back about 1 gallon (approx. 3-4 Liters).
- Extended Range Tanks (e.g., 36-gallon F-150 tank): May have a reserve of up to 2-3 gallons.
Our calculator above allows you to factor this in. If you select a reserve, the calculator subtracts that amount from your usable fuel, mimicking the dashboard display which reads zero before the tank is physically empty.
Why Does My DTE Change Suddenly?
If you have recently disconnected your battery, reset the system, or changed driving habits drastically (e.g., from highway cruising to city stop-and-go), the DTE algorithm needs time to relearn your efficiency. In "Engineering Mode" on some Ford clusters, you can view the raw fuel input data (AfeBias) that dictates these calculations.
Resetting the DTE History
On many Ford models, you cannot manually type in a DTE number, but you can reset the fuel history. This is often done via the steering wheel controls under Settings > Vehicle > Fuel Economy > Reset. This clears the RAFE history and starts the calculation fresh based on factory default MPG settings until new driving data is accumulated.