Finding Lifetime MPG Reading

[john1701a]

Originally Posted by darelldd

I was somewhat dismayed to find that this wasn't in the feature set. Would be great to have just like the odometer - something that can't be fudged.

But it wouldn't be realistic.

The margin-of-error is greater than the actual variation once you've exceeded about 10,000 miles. So the aspect of being informative is lost with distance, making lifetime too inaccurate for anything constructive. The computer estimates, along with rounding, just don't cut it.

MPG data is only depicted properly on paper.

.

[patsparks]

Actually to know your lifetime average MPG all you need to do is record the amount of petrol you put in the car at each fill, there is no need to record the mileage or the tank MPG because the car will record the miles traveled on the odometer. If you devide the total miles by the total gallons put in the car you have a lifetime MPG.
Easy peasy as long as you have the record.

[Danny Hamilton]

Originally Posted by patsparks

Actually to know your lifetime average MPG all you need to do is record the amount of petrol you put in the car at each fill, there is no need to record the mileage or the tank MPG because the car will record the miles traveled on the odometer. . . .

Great idea! I wish I had thought to mention it earlier.

[TonyPSchaefer]

Originally Posted by maximus2112

Tony, in your spreadsheet you have Avg Temperature, I understand why this is important, I'm just curious as to how you come up with that number.

Thanks!

I have a random number generator that I use.

Actually, I go to weather.com and type in the high and low temp for each day and average them all. Keep in mind that I'm not a scientist nor do I play one on television. My chart is not meant to form the basis of any scientific or statistically accurate comparison. The numbers are provided for generalizations and should be interpreted as such. I realize the inaccuracies of my method but find it much easier than writing the actual ambient temperature every time I drive my car.

[priusuk2008]

Originally Posted by Danny Hamilton

Great idea! I wish I had thought to mention it earlier.

Maybe patsparks did mention it first as Aussies are ahead of USA time-wise, but by the time the server recognised his input, it got posted after yours..... oh sorry, we're on the new server... can't be that then