why is it every time I fill up my 2013 Sonata it says less gas millage to the gallon

Asked by kdel1962 Mar 05, 2016 at 12:31 PM about the 2013 Hyundai Sonata GLS FWD

Question type: General

when I first bought the car and filled it up it said 405 miles to empty and now it
says 355 miles to empty and keeps saying lower millage every time I fill it up!

3 Answers

86,095

Try filling up your car next time when it's cooler at night. It actually makes a difference as to when you refuel. Gasoline expands with heat. Try it and let us know.

9 people found this helpful.
26,245

If you do not reset the fuel data unit each time you fill up, it is measuring the results over the time period since have done it last. It would be typical to have a higher estimated mileage when you first filled it up than what it is registering now. The current number represents more driving conditions over a greater number of miles. As "Tennisshoes" said, to get an accurate reading, measure it yourself over about a month of typical driving being careful to fill it the same way each time during the period (don't just stop pumping when the nozzel shuts off unless you use the same pump every time).

6 people found this helpful.
130

Yes, you need to reset the fuel trip data each time you refill your tank. Here's a simple explanation why: say you're driving about town for the majority of one tank. The estimate on number of miles to refill will be based on your MPG ( stop & go driving) . Perhaps your next trip is completely highway miles. If you don't clear all the trip meters from the previous fill, BOTH of your trips will be averaged together, and fill time will be inaccurate. That's if you care about, or are dependent upon the guage that says "how many miles until refill". You can ignore this guage if you like and just pay attention to the one which has the meter on it, showing the status between empty and full, just like in the olden days. The newer meters just keep averaging all your trips together, unless you clear them. I like to do this so that I can tell if my fuel usage is changing, signifying a possible performance problem. Another, more personal example which I like to cite is, if you didn't clear the trip meters after divorcing your spouse who drove like a maniac, the car would STILL be averaging in his a**hole 21 MPG with YOUR more sensible 30 MPG. - Guess who got custody of the car??

13 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Sonata

Looking for a Used Sonata in your area?

CarGurus has 17,584 nationwide Sonata listings starting at $700.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2013 Hyundai Sonata

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    sumcon
    Reputation
    5,850
  • #2
    clifford
    Reputation
    2,190
  • #3
    toDumbToNotKnow
    Reputation
    2,060
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Accord
1,497 Great Deals out of 29,259 listings starting at $474
Used Hyundai Elantra
920 Great Deals out of 26,307 listings starting at $500
Used Toyota Camry
2,124 Great Deals out of 37,283 listings starting at $700
Used Honda Civic
1,347 Great Deals out of 28,458 listings starting at $600
Used Nissan Altima
1,315 Great Deals out of 37,442 listings starting at $700
Used Toyota Corolla
1,606 Great Deals out of 24,418 listings starting at $975
Used Kia Optima
341 Great Deals out of 5,431 listings starting at $1,100
Used Hyundai Tucson
1,017 Great Deals out of 28,199 listings starting at $1,500
Used Chevrolet Malibu
924 Great Deals out of 20,080 listings starting at $800
Used Hyundai Santa Fe
815 Great Deals out of 19,277 listings starting at $660
Used Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
100 Great Deals out of 3,958 listings starting at $1,400
Used Dodge Charger
715 Great Deals out of 30,035 listings starting at $1,900
Used Nissan Maxima
229 Great Deals out of 3,496 listings starting at $1,400
Used Ford Fusion
718 Great Deals out of 8,964 listings starting at $450

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Hyundai Sonata For Sale
5,683 listings starting at $25,318
2023 Hyundai Sonata For Sale
82 Great Deals out of 1,734 listings starting at $17,503
2022 Hyundai Sonata For Sale
43 Great Deals out of 608 listings starting at $14,800
2021 Hyundai Sonata For Sale
152 Great Deals out of 2,386 listings starting at $11,999
2020 Hyundai Sonata For Sale
74 Great Deals out of 902 listings starting at $14,199

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.