How to read graph

Walker1 · 01-27-2006, 08:02 AM

Hi, I know this might seem dumb, but I don't understand what everything means in the consumption screen readout. I mean the cluster of columns that read Megawatts??? (If I got it right). I am at my work and don't have a diagram. What does each "tower"mean, etc. I watch the bottom figure to see my cumulative MPG between tank fillups. I also wasn't sure where to place this post.

BTW, My cumulative has gone up to 52 MPG- all city driving. I will be on tank 3 ??? as my tank is still on fill. I think I'm becoming a better Prius driver. I've also noticed that the milege on my Accord V-6 is better.

I am using the "Get up to desired speed quickly-set cruise-glide way before the turning lights & stop signs. If anyone is seeking a 2006 you might want to call Stewart Toyota in N. Palm Beach, FL Their # is (561) 844-3461. They may still have some cars.

One more note: I had to pass a car that was driving really slow. I nailed the Prius as cars were coming from the other direction. I was amazed at how much passing power the car has. I normally never step on the pedal past the 1/2 position.

Thanks for your help.

mdmikemd · 01-27-2006, 08:33 AM

If I read correctly, it means 50watt hours. Each green car represents the amount of energy needed to light a 50watt light bulb for one hour.

Betelgeuse · 01-27-2006, 09:33 AM

The height of the columns actually don't indicate anything about energy; they're just the MPG that the car has gotten in the last six 5 minute intervals. The little green cars that are superimposed on the collumns indicate the amount of energy (in watt hours) that has been reclaimed by the regenerative brakes.

So, aside from the fact that they are both related to the efficiency with which your car is working, there is no direct relation between the height of the bars and the number of cars; you can have a huge bar (i.e. 75 MPG) with no cars (i.e. if you're coasting downhill at high speeds, but not using the brakes), or you can have a tiny bar with a large number of cars (i.e. if you're getting 10 MPG, but you're braking a lot).

Kiloran · 01-27-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Betelgeuse@Jan 27 2006, 10:33 AM
The height of the columns actually don't indicate anything about energy; they're just the MPG that the car has gotten in the last six 5 minute intervals. The little green cars that are superimposed on the collumns indicate the amount of energy (in watt hours) that has been reclaimed by the regenerative brakes.

So, aside from the fact that they are both related to the efficiency with which your car is working, there is no direct relation between the height of the bars and the number of cars; you can have a huge bar (i.e. 75 MPG) with no cars (i.e. if you're coasting downhill at high speeds, but not using the brakes), or you can have a tiny bar with a large number of cars (i.e. if you're getting 10 MPG, but you're braking a lot).

[snapback]198582[/snapback]

Yeah. A better representation of comparative MPG among bars would be for the bars to depict MPG over 5 mile periods.
(I wouldn't be at all surprised if Toyota's marketing department had a hand in deciding its current format.)

flynz4 · 01-27-2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kiloran@Jan 27 2006, 07:54 AM
Yeah. A better representation of comparative MPG among bars would be for the bars to depict MPG over 5 mile periods.
(I wouldn't be at all surprised if Toyota's marketing department had a hand in deciding its current format.)

[snapback]198587[/snapback]

The problem with 5 mile bars would be that you would lose resolution in slow city driving. At highway driving... it is now close to 5 mile bars.... but in the city a 5 mile bar would occur more slowly than I would like.

I wish the bars were thinner, and more frequent. For instance... 30 one minute bars would be preferable for me... or even 60 thin bars showing an hour.

I also would like to see a little "countdown" display... or bar (like when you install a computer program)... so that I could tell when the next bar is about to update.

/Jim

Kiloran · 01-27-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by flynz4@Jan 27 2006, 11:00 AM
The problem with 5 mile bars would be that you would lose resolution in slow city driving. At highway driving... it is now close to 5 mile bars.... but in the city a 5 mile bar would occur more slowly than I would like.

I wish the bars were thinner, and more frequent. For instance... 30 one minute bars would be preferable for me... or even 60 thin bars showing an hour.

I also would like to see a little "countdown" display... or bar (like when you install a computer program)... so that I could tell when the next bar is about to update.

/Jim

[snapback]198589[/snapback]

It would be pretty easy for the car to automatically or manually determine the mile or time interval at which to display. (Just a software change.)

I'm not sure what real utility the countdown meter would provide but it would be pretty easy for T. to program.

**Tideland Prius** · 01-27-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flynz4@Jan 27 2006, 07:00 AM
The problem with 5 mile bars would be that you would lose resolution in slow city driving. At highway driving... it is now close to 5 mile bars.... but in the city a 5 mile bar would occur more slowly than I would like.

I wish the bars were thinner, and more frequent. For instance... 30 one minute bars would be preferable for me... or even 60 thin bars showing an hour.

I also would like to see a little "countdown" display... or bar (like when you install a computer program)... so that I could tell when the next bar is about to update.

/Jim

[snapback]198589[/snapback]

The new Camry Hybrid has 1 min intervals.

flynz4 · 01-27-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tideland Prius@Jan 27 2006, 10:19 AM
The new Camry Hybrid has 1 min intervals.

[snapback]198662[/snapback]

That is a nice touch. It gives you a more accurate historgram of your car's fuel economy.

If the Prius has 1min intervals too... I would care less about the "countdown timer". I just find myself looking at the display a lot wondering what my "next average" is going to be... waiting for the update.

/Jim

QED · 01-27-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tideland Prius@Jan 27 2006, 07:19 AM
The new Camry Hybrid has 1 min intervals.

[snapback]198662[/snapback]

Agree with flynz4, that is a nice touch. 5 minutes is just too long for mostly city driving.
I'll bet the '07 Prius has the 1 minute interval. You heard it here first.

Kiloran · 01-27-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flynz4@Jan 27 2006, 03:16 PM
That is a nice touch. It gives you a more accurate historgram of your car's fuel economy.

If the Prius has 1min intervals too... I would care less about the "countdown timer". I just find myself looking at the display a lot wondering what my "next average" is going to be... waiting for the update.

/Jim

[snapback]198801[/snapback]

If you're interested in accuracy, "miles" rather than "minutes" is the way to go.
MPG, miles per gallon, does not have a time component.

01-27-2006, 08:02 AM	#1
Walker1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: FL Posts: 880 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi, I know this might seem dumb, but I don't understand what everything means in the consumption screen readout. I mean the cluster of columns that read Megawatts??? (If I got it right). I am at my work and don't have a diagram. What does each "tower"mean, etc. I watch the bottom figure to see my cumulative MPG between tank fillups. I also wasn't sure where to place this post. BTW, My cumulative has gone up to 52 MPG- all city driving. I will be on tank 3 ??? as my tank is still on fill. I think I'm becoming a better Prius driver. I've also noticed that the milege on my Accord V-6 is better. I am using the "Get up to desired speed quickly-set cruise-glide way before the turning lights & stop signs. If anyone is seeking a 2006 you might want to call Stewart Toyota in N. Palm Beach, FL Their # is (561) 844-3461. They may still have some cars. One more note: I had to pass a car that was driving really slow. I nailed the Prius as cars were coming from the other direction. I was amazed at how much passing power the car has. I normally never step on the pedal past the 1/2 position. Thanks for your help. __________________ 2008 Red Barcelona Prius, Pkg. 2 And dealer installed leather seats. Current milege is 4800. 2006, Black, Pkg. 1, Tinted windows, Leather wrap wheel cover, leather arm rest cover. 33,100 Miles, Bought on 1/7/06. Lifetime fuel average: 52.4 MPG. As of 7/8/08 NO defects or any other problems. This car has NEVER been to the dealer for any reason. I run the A/C on 68-70 degrees almost all year long. 2005 H.D. 1200 Sportster- Custom. Gets a solid 50 MPG @ all speeds.

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01-27-2006, 08:33 AM	#2
mdmikemd Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 426 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	If I read correctly, it means 50watt hours. Each green car represents the amount of energy needed to light a 50watt light bulb for one hour.

01-27-2006, 09:33 AM	#3
Betelgeuse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northampton, MA, USA Posts: 1,279 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The height of the columns actually don't indicate anything about energy; they're just the MPG that the car has gotten in the last six 5 minute intervals. The little green cars that are superimposed on the collumns indicate the amount of energy (in watt hours) that has been reclaimed by the regenerative brakes. So, aside from the fact that they are both related to the efficiency with which your car is working, there is no direct relation between the height of the bars and the number of cars; you can have a huge bar (i.e. 75 MPG) with no cars (i.e. if you're coasting downhill at high speeds, but not using the brakes), or you can have a tiny bar with a large number of cars (i.e. if you're getting 10 MPG, but you're braking a lot).