How does the average mpg work?

[windstrings]

I'm still a bit confused.. the manual doesn't spell it out too well. I have an 06.

The average mpg in the consumption screen reflects what?
1. The present average mpg for the "current" tank of gas?
2. or Average mpg for the lifetime of the car?

Isn't there a way to tell average mpg of the lifetime of the car? or was that something of the past?

If this is for the current tank... do you have to reset it? or does it reset whenever you open the gas cap "or what resets it?"

thanks....

[Frank Hudon]

only for this tank, no it automatically resets when ever you add more than 4 gallons. Life time only on your spreadsheet.

[windstrings]

Originally posted by Frank Hudon@Jan 25 2006, 11:32 PM
only for this tank, no it automatically resets when ever you add more than 4 gallons. Life time only on your spreadsheet.

[snapback]197708[/snapback]

Thanks Frank... and btw.. I appreciate your correspondence since I have been on priuschat. We haven't talked much one on one, but I appreciate your input.

frank, do you know how it knows you put at least 4 gallons in?....I'm just trying to figure the logic behind that...

I guess if you top off your tank with less than 4 gallons, it will totally mess up your average reading?

[maggieddd]

Originally posted by windstrings@Jan 26 2006, 02:08 AM
Thanks Frank... and btw.. I appreciate your correspondence since I have been on priuschat. We haven't talked much one on one, but I appreciate your input.

frank, do you know how it knows you put at least 4 gallons in?....I'm just trying to figure the logic behind that...

I guess if you top off your tank with less than 4 gallons, it will totally mess up your average reading?

[snapback]197727[/snapback]

it would only mess up your reading for the previous tank. I mean it would be for a tank and a half. Not really messed up

[windstrings]

Originally posted by maggieddd@Jan 26 2006, 06:50 AM
it would only mess up your reading for the previous tank.  I mean it would be for a tank and a half.  Not really messed up

[snapback]197787[/snapback]

Thanks Maggie, I haven't seen much of you lately unless you've been lurking where I didn't see?......

Do you know how the system knows?.. maybe its just electronic and the guage resets the average if it moves so far at once? "from a fillup"

[maggieddd]

Originally posted by windstrings@Jan 26 2006, 09:27 AM
Thanks Maggie, I haven't seen much of you lately unless you've been lurking where I didn't see?......

Do you  know how the system knows?.. maybe its just electronic and the guage resets the average if it moves so far at once? "from a fillup"

[snapback]197808[/snapback]

Ohh, I've been around, a LOT.

Not sure exactly if there is some kind of sensor or somehitng else that resets the MPG, but I know that it doesn't reset right away when you pass the 4 gallon mark. It resets iteself after you drive a mile or so.

[windstrings]

Originally posted by maggieddd@Jan 26 2006, 07:33 AM
Ohh, I've been around, a LOT. 

Not sure exactly if there is some kind of sensor or somehitng else that resets the MPG, but I know that it doesn't reset right away when you pass the 4 gallon mark.  It resets iteself after you drive a mile or so.

[snapback]197809[/snapback]

Interesting!....

Anyway.. sorry I"ve missed you... I've been a bit preoccupied with trying to finagle getting my last car, and every day I come home to about 80 to 100 emails!.. I'm gonna have to weed some of those out!..

Anyway... catch you later and thanks..

btw.. I was sure hoping to see your penquin take up cigar smoking.. too bad

[Tom_06]

Originally posted by windstrings@Jan 26 2006, 01:24 AM
The average mpg in the consumption screen reflects what?
1. The present average mpg for the "current" tank of gas?
2. or Average mpg for the lifetime of the car?

[snapback]197706[/snapback]

I am convinced that the '06 DOES NOT reset the average MPG indicator when you fill up. That is based upon my car, a friend who also has an '06, and experience with an '05. There is definitely a change. I believe if you don't touch the reset button, you are getting a lifetime mpg average but the miles indicated are for the tank.

Example: A few days ago I put 8.9 gallons in my 2006. The miles indicator on the consumption screen reset to 0 in 100 to 200 yards. My mileage was 39.8 MPG before fillup. It stayed at 39.8 for miles. In a 7 mile drive home, starting with the car warm after getting gas, I had only 50+ MPG segments showing in the display. The mpg average indicator only went to 40.1 mpg. Now being an engineer I calculated that (39.8*361 + 55*7)/368 = 40.1 (I had 361 miles on the car when I filled it).

This is verified by my friend at work with 1200+ miles and 4 fillups. And when I drive Barbara's 2005 Prius shortly after she fills it, I see an average mpg indicator that changes around a lot as the engine goes from cold to warm or as you go up and down hills. My 2006 (with 60 miles now on that tank) has been rock steady with miles of driving (cold, hot, high mileage, low mileage) needed to budge the average mpg indicator by .1 mpg. So it acts as if it is averaging against the 400+ miles on the car rather than the 60 on the tank.

I had been driving an Audi with an average mpg indicator for 5 years before this one. I know what to expect. There is a change from the 2005 and it is not mentioned in the manual. My car is an 11/05 build date.

- Tom

[windstrings]

Originally posted by Tom_06@Jan 27 2006, 05:35 PM
I am convinced that the '06 DOES NOT reset the average MPG indicator when you fill up.  That is based upon my car, a friend who also has an '06, and experience with an '05.  There is definitely a change.  I believe if you don't touch the reset button, you are getting a lifetime mpg average but the miles indicated are for the tank.

[snapback]199052[/snapback]

Your right.. I finally filled up my tank this eve.... you can reset the odometer A or B, but as far as the Average indicator, it continues to monitor as if you never filled your tank UNLESS you hit reset in the lower right corner of the screen... then it start over at 0.0 as if you first bought your car.

So basically you get a choice.... leave it alone and you get lifetime or at least an average since the last "reset"..... however you can reset it anytime you want.. I don't even think its related to whether you just put gas in or not.... I think you can reset it anytime you want.

[Frank Hudon]

ok it's starting to look like Toyota went back to the cumulative MPG readout on the 2k6 from all reports. The Classics were cumulative and the 2k4-5's weren't. So I stand corrected on this. Don't tell the wife she'll want a new one.