Cause
Fuel additive counter not reset after refilling
The additive tank refilled without resetting the counter that tracks it. The module does not measure the additive level directly on many systems — it counts the doses it has commanded and infers what remains, so refilling changes the tank and nothing else.
The vehicle therefore continues to report an empty tank with a full one, and the warnings and restrictions continue. A low-additive warning that survives a refill is this, and it defeats the obvious repair completely.
The reset is a specific scan tool operation and is not achieved by clearing codes or disconnecting the battery. Confirm the reported level against what was actually put in — a value that does not move after a documented refill is the whole diagnosis. On systems that do measure level directly, the same symptom means the level sensor rather than the counter, so establish which arrangement the vehicle uses before reaching for a tool.
Typically specialist work. Needs equipment or training most home workshops do not have.
Codes this can cause (2)
Codes where this is a likely explanation first, rather than merely a possible one.
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