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Does anyone else think the instant MPG gauge is useless?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by phoenixgreg, Apr 12, 2010.

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  1. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Tom, thanks for the insight and the link to the Optima battery. My Prius is new so 12v battery concerns are not immediate. But in this climate, 12v batteries are short-lived as they fry in the desert heat after a couple of years.
    I did see in the link there is a way to check on the health of the 12v battery, but it seems limited to those Prius's that have NAV screens. Mine doesn't but I haven't given up that there could be a way to view the voltage via diagnostics mode. No one here seems to know how to enter that mode for a model II. I may have to ask a technical service advisor on my next visit to the dealership on how to do that.
    Again, I still think a 12v battery health gauge would be very helpful.
     
    #21 phoenixgreg, Apr 13, 2010
  2. shaun5stu

    shaun5stu Junior Member

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    I use the MPG gauge all the time, in concert with the CHG/ECO/PWR graphic. If my MPG is maxed, I know the ICE isn't running.
     
    #22 shaun5stu, Apr 13, 2010
  3. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Hey apart from us. MPG's rock. :rockon:
     
    #23 GrumpyCabbie, Apr 13, 2010
  4. johalareewi

    johalareewi Member

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    The MPG gauge is really really usefull and I miss not having one in the Yaris when I drive that.

    I also find litres per 100km totally useless :D
    MPG is OK but I would really like MPL.
     
    #24 johalareewi, Apr 13, 2010
  5. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Check out some of the links on the ScanGaugeII which is available throught the Priuschat Shop. It will monitor 12V battery Voltage, RPM, ICE coolant temp, ignition timing, and a bunch of other stuff right out of the box. By using the Xgauge feature and codes provided in this thread http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...discussion/64406-scangaugeii-work-2010-a.html you can monitor a bunch of other paremeters exclusive the to Gen3 Prius. In additon you can use it to turn off the extra seat belt beeps and set the back up beeper to 1 beep vice continuous.
     
    #25 tumbleweed, Apr 13, 2010
  6. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    I used it as a gauge to control accelerating from a stop. I keep it at about 10mpg until up to the speed limit.
    I found this is the best rate not to irritate the driver behind me and get the best overall mpg.
     
    #26 bedrock8x, Apr 13, 2010
  7. tgoodman

    tgoodman New Member

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    Could you please tell me what the discrepancy is between the computer and your actuals. Thanks.
     
    #27 tgoodman, Apr 13, 2010
  8. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    There are several threads on that subject. I think most of us see about 5% higher mileage with the Cons reading than we do when we check it the old fashion way. This was apparently a "marketing decision" by Toyota to make us think the car gets better mileage than it actually does.

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...vs-computer-mpg-please-post-your-results.html
     
    #28 tumbleweed, Apr 13, 2010
  9. Slovewell

    Slovewell New Member

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    Pick up the Scan Guage II. It will show you batt. voltage, water temp, RPM, and Instant Gas Mileage all at the same time. Ypurs for $159
     
    #29 Slovewell, Apr 14, 2010
  10. ajc

    ajc Member

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    I disagree with you, the MPG gauge is one of the most useful gauges. I use it all the time and try to keep it above the 50 mpg mark.
     
    #30 ajc, Apr 14, 2010
  11. pri-mordial

    pri-mordial Junior Member

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    Most useful guage in the car!
    In ECO mode, which is less sensitive to throttle, I basically drive the car to maximise this guage to the road conditions up ahead.

    You should see me cresting a hill like puffing Billy!
    Then picking up speed on the down-hill.
    I'm hoping to get 60 (UK) mpg out of my current tank.

    Just got my latest Credit Card statement. It's half what it used to be. Even the wife notices...........
     
    #31 pri-mordial, Apr 14, 2010
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