Daily Log = 40% better FE in 40 days

[JethroBodine]

First week in the books( I stink at Excel). My morning commutes varried, but didn't increase( I still stink at Excel). Evenings were more dependent on errands and where they were in relation to my usual route( I REALLY stink at Excel graph function). I changed a small part of my route on the way home on Monday and decided to keep it as it dropped almost a tenth of a gallon off my evening commute, no data for comparison on this 40 day plan. Guess I better find some improvements for the next week. Oh, yeah, weekly average is 66.9mpg.

[JethroBodine]

Second week down and I'm discovering quite a bit about my driving style and my car's response to them. I have found that DWL/EOffC works better than P&G, 102mpg vs. low 90s respectively for the trip TO work, and ~53mpg vs. hi 40's FROM work. Weekend errands also are benefitting; 68mpg vs. 62. My trip to work is downhill, almost 1000 feet elevation IIRC.

This log is a WONDERFUL tool for nearly immediate feedback and comparison( especially if you have a memory like mine, short and easily distracted... OOO! Look! SHINEY!!)

Thank you Diesel Dave for giving my Son a new and constant source of entertainment when I have to go back in the house because,"I forgot my little notebook."

[Diesel_Dave]

Thanks, Jethro, keep up the good work. Glad you're having fun. I love the daily log because it allows me to know whether what I'm doing is helping without having to spend all the time and fuel on ABA testing (which I admit it more theoretically sound, but less practical)

And...shame on you for forgetting your log book and having to go back for it! Do you have any idea how much fuel you're wasting by having an extra stop!! ...just kidding

[JethroBodine]

Sorry, I mistyped. ...when I have to go back in the house, as we are getting ready to leave...

However, I have written the info on scraps of paper that are in the car when I DO forget it entirely.

I really shouldn't type on these forums sober. TOTALLY screws up my meanings.

[Diesel_Dave]

I personally just use scraps of paper all the time. But, hey, different things work for different people. I'm sure somebody out there has probably come out with a smart phone app that you can use as a log book. I'm not that high tech but, as I said, whatever floats your boat.

And I'm with you on post that don't come accross as you intended. Hear what I think--not what I say!

[graydonengineering]

Originally Posted by Diesel_Dave

I personally just use scraps of paper all the time. But, hey, different things work for different people. I'm sure somebody out there has probably come out with a smart phone app that you can use as a log book. I'm not that high tech but, as I said, whatever floats your boat.

And I'm with you on post that don't come accross as you intended. Hear what I think--not what I say!

I download an app for my Blackberry and use it every time I fill up. All I have to do is enter the current odometer, the gallons put in, and the price and it does the rest. It even charts my mpg and gas price over time. That is the only reason I have over a year of data with no gaps. It was $4-5 after the trial expired.

[slowmover]

I use a Wilson-Jones 12-Column Account Book. About $7

Going across the top of the two open pages I mark the columns thusly:

1 - Fill #

2- Date

3- Location

4- Fuel Amount/Price per Gl/$Total

5- Odometer: Trip and Total

6 - Elapsed Time: E/T & Average MPH [use 100-min clock]

7 - MPG: Readout from overhead and True MPG

8 - Relevant Notes

Takes about 3-minutes with solar calc and pen to enter data. Fuel receipt goes in back under large rubber band that holds page open. Calendar year reconciliation by adding columns going down through the year. (Any missed receipts/entries show up quickly).

O - F - L and other regular maintenance is a separate entry set with engine hours recorded, parts #'s, etc. In other words, I can look through the few pages of any year and see where money has been spent.

Cents-per-Mile is run from this starting point (add in other costs). The Account Journal is where I have some control over the op-costs of my vehicle on a daily basis. It's about prediction, impossible without user-generated numbers.

.