I've had my 2011 Outlander SE for about a month now and there is one thing I find a little puzzling. How exactly is the remaining mileage that is displayed on the dash screen computed? When I get to 1/4 tank and under, the remaining mileage drops like a stone. Yesterday at around a 1/4 tank, it showed 90 miles remaining. After driving maybe ten miles, it dropped to 60. This morning, when I started the engine it displayed 50.

Since my commute is around 30 miles, I decided to fill up, but it only took 12.5 gallons. According to the spec's, the Outlander SE has a 15.8 gal (US) capacity, which means that there was over three gallons left in the tank. And the display indicates I average anywhere from 22 - 28 mpg, so even by the lowest estimate I could have easily driven another 65 miles.

My question is, is the estimated remaining mileage need some calibration or break-in period for accuracy or is there a 10-20 mile underestimate built in as a buffer, so it is less likely you run out of gas?

 

There's no break-in period. It works with your mileage indicator to estimate how many miles you have left on the tank of gas based on the current MPG you are getting.

For example, I've watched mine go down if I'm climbing a long steep grade, and then go back up when I head on down the other side. Likewise if I'm on a long level stretch of highway I've watched mine go up the longer I drive.

Once the vehicle has been shut off overnight the mileage indicator resets which could explain what you saw in the morning.

It does makes sense to me that Mitsubishi would build in some kind of buffer so you don't immediately run out of gas when it shows zero.