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Segment MPG Calculator

Discussion in 'The File Library' started by dcoyne78, Feb 8, 2007.

  1. dcoyne78

    dcoyne78 New Member

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    [attachmentid=6513]Hi I created this little tool for calculating MPG for a segment.
    This could be useful if you are trying out techniques to improve your FE and want to get some quick feedback on how you are doing.

    Dennis

    edit to correct instructions on how to use
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 dcoyne78, Feb 8, 2007
  2. MechaJohn

    MechaJohn New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maineprius947 @ Feb 8 2007, 12:44 PM) [snapback]387093[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks Dennis. I like it. It's also useful if you are going to take a drive that's different from your normal routine, like highway vs. country roads.

    I wish I had known about your calculator this morning. My wife borrowed my car, and if I had the starting mileage, I could see what mileage she got today. ;)
     
    #2 MechaJohn, Feb 8, 2007
  3. dcoyne78

    dcoyne78 New Member

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    Glad you like it. Maybe a little log book in the car would work. I use the back pages of my mileage log to keep track of segments from time to time. Recently I made a trip back from a ski trip (downhill 1170 ft over 107 miles) and got about 61.5 MPG. Using my little tool I can see how my mileage has been since then (always returning to same place so no net change in elevation) so far its been about 55 MPG, which is not too bad considering the temp has been averaging 5 F here in Maine.

    Dennis
     
    #3 dcoyne78, Feb 8, 2007
  4. Orf

    Orf New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maineprius947 @ Feb 8 2007, 01:44 PM) [snapback]387093[/snapback]</div>
    I think you should point out that the Start Miles are the miles since the average fuel consumption figure (MPG) on the Consumption display was last reset and not necessarily that displayed at the bottom of the Consumption display. The distance figure on the display is automatically reset to zero when the tank is refuelled (> 3 gallons added) but the MPG figure is not automatically reset. One has to touch the reset button for that to happen.
    Without both resets occurring at the same time the calculations done using your calculating tool will be inaccurate.
    If people are going to frequently use your tool then they should use the "B" trip meter. Zero the "B" setting when the MPG figure is reset and then take the "Start" and "End" distance figures from the "B" trip reading.
     
    #4 Orf, Feb 8, 2007
  5. dcoyne78

    dcoyne78 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Orf @ Feb 8 2007, 08:20 PM) [snapback]387196[/snapback]</div>
    Orf,

    Thanks for pointing this out, on my 2004 both the MPG avg and the distance reset when refilling (I think, I always do a manual reset, but I seem to remember when first getting the car and thinking about keeping a lifetime MPG on the display that it could not be done, I think this changed to how you describe in 2005 or 2006.) You are definitely correct that a reset needs to be performed when filling up in order for this segment calculator to work properly and that it is most accurate when used in combination with a trip odometer reset at fillup as well so you have the resolution to tenths of a mile. I will update the tool with this explanation. I am also updating the data to show my best segment from last summer which was a round trip with no net change in elevation avg speed about 30-35 mph over the segment.

    Dennis
     
    #5 dcoyne78, Feb 9, 2007
  6. Balt

    Balt Junior Member

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    the trip odometers work off the same system as the speedo and main odo, thus are up to 10% more than the actual distance driven! In my case, the mileage used to calculate the consumption is about 7% less than the one displayed on the odo!

    that's a big difference, i.e. 50 mpg vs. 47mpg...

    - Balt
     
    #6 Balt, Mar 2, 2007
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