First fill up using Trip with no prior history, can't do it?

[mattpenn]

How do I set my first fill up without knowing previous trip mileage? The instructions (there aren't really any) aren't clear.

I'm tracking fuel via trip meter, and just got my car a few days ago. The tank was pretty much empty (maybe 2.5 gallons left) but I filled it up. I don't know how much mileage was traveled from the last fill up by previous owner so I put in 0 in the previous miles since last fill up field.

The system doesn't like it, so what do I do? I need to establish my first fill point, so what's the best way to do it?

[pb]

Reset your tripometer when you fill your tank, and then start tracking on your next fuel-up. There's really no way to know where the trip or odometer was at when the tank was first full to the top, and you need a full tank to work from. I know from experience that's frustrating, because you want numbers right now.

Here's more info about why the full tank is needed: Why do I have to fill the tank all the way up every time I buy fuel?

[mattpenn]

Thanks, that's how I proceeded. It might be helpful to add this to the faq for those just climbing aboard, because I found myself stuck in a mental logic loop until I worked out pretty much what you replied.

Best,

Matt

[pb]

Yeah, that's a great idea. We have a lot of confusion around the first fuel-up, especially with new cars.