
DTE in cars stands for Driving To Empty, indicating the remaining distance the vehicle can travel with the current fuel level. DTE is an acronym for Data-Terminal-Equipment, which refers to a device with certain data processing and transmission capabilities. Here are some extended details: Car Dashboard: The car dashboard is a device that reflects the working status of various vehicle systems. Common indicators include the fuel indicator, washer fluid indicator, electronic throttle indicator, front and rear fog light indicators, and warning lights.

DTE stands for Distance To Empty, which is the number displayed on your car indicating how many kilometers you can still drive. I always keep an eye on this while driving, as it shows the remaining distance your fuel can cover. Most Chang'an vehicles now come with this feature. However, be aware that this number can be misleading because it's calculated based on your recent driving fuel consumption. If you suddenly floor the accelerator or get stuck in traffic, the actual distance you can drive will decrease. It's best to look for a gas station when it shows around 100 kilometers left. Once, I trusted this number too much and ended up stalling on the road. It's just a rough estimate, so you need to have a good sense of your actual range, especially on long trips.

I always love studying various data on the dashboard while driving, and the DTE function is indeed quite useful. Simply put, it automatically calculates the remaining mileage based on the fuel left in your tank and current fuel consumption. For example, if it shows a range of 380 kilometers, it means you can drive approximately that far under the current driving mode. I remember testing it on a long trip last time—driving from Chongqing to Chengdu in ECO mode with cruise control on, and the actual distance covered was slightly more than what the DTE displayed. This value isn't fixed; it changes in real-time if you suddenly drive aggressively or encounter uphill or downhill sections. The most practical use is checking the DTE value before entering the highway to see if it's enough to reach the next service area.

DTE, simply put, is the remaining mileage calculated by your car's computer. I've been commuting with my Changan car for over three years and see this number every day. It's essentially the remaining fuel divided by your current average fuel consumption. If you frequently drive on highways, this number tends to be quite accurate. However, in stop-and-go city traffic, the margin of error can be larger. Once after work, I noticed the DTE showed 40 km, and the low fuel light just came on as I reached my doorstep. For more accurate data, it's better to use cruise control more often and avoid sudden braking. Ultimately, this feature is just for reference—don't treat it as gospel.


