fuel consumption monitor on non-hybrids

[David Beale]

I used a Scangauge II in the anti-Prius (2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4WD "SUV") for a year before I traded it in for Pearl. What I found was I couldn't really improve the fuel economy. It seems the vehicle was tuned/programmed for minimal emissions and that negated anything I tried to improve consumption. I tried shifting to "N" at lights (less load on engine - fuel reading dropped - l/hr), no difference in the tank l/100 km calculation. I tried coasting more, even tried "limited pulse and glide". No difference in the tank l/100 km calculation. I even tried going slower (gasp)! That vehicle got almost the same fuel economy at 100 as it got at 115 km/hr. It did get noticeably worse above about 125 km/hr. Best tank ever was at 13 l/100 km, average was 14.5-15, and worst tank was at 18 l/100 km (winter). It got better mileage using premium fuel, so much so that it actually cost more per distance to use regular. Still, for a 4400 lb vehicle, it didn't do too bad.

Pearl's best tank so far was 4.1 l/100 km, average is about 4.7 l/100 km, and worst in winter was 7 l/100 km. Regular of course. Which is funny, because I get depressed now when I see the reading drop (rise) to the 5 l/100 km range. Still three times better than the anti-Prius! And the fuel is 8% less expensive!

BTW, the easiest way to convert from one FE reading to another is to use:
Online Conversion - Fuel Consumption Conversion