Fuel Economy instrumentation - do you use it?
 

How important is FE instrumentation?

How many here have FE instrumentation(SG, Smid, Vaccum gauge) and those that do what percentage above combined EPA are you.

If you don't and are above 20% speak up:)

FE instrumentation can be very important if you are new to FE driving and are trying to hone your FE driving techniques. I've been hypermiling for a long time and over the years have become attuned to what works and what doesn't in FE driving, so acquiring FE instrumentation had less of an impact on me. The main thing that FE instrumentation (SuperMID) did for me was to let me know that I was still getting good FE at speeds well over 50mph (after aero modding). Prior to that I tried to remain below 55mph as per traditional hypermiling techniques. It also allowed me to improve my mileage on flat roads, whereas before I got my best mileage on gently rolling terrain where I could FAS on the downhills. Getting the MID didn't improve my mileage very much, but allowed me greatly extend the performance envelope where I was getting this mileage.

While on the topic, if I decide to inherit a '92 Toyota Corolla, what instrumentation can I buy for it? I know it's not compatible with the scan gauge...

Used to, but I sold it with my soul before go to japan since I hardly drive anymore.

basjoos - another consideration is that you drive a lot of miles in a year.

Where a person does a lot of driving, regular back of the gas receipt "instrumentation" can be practical as a way to hone useful techniques, because the feedback is timely enough.

On the other hand, I put gas in my car 5 times last year, 13 times in '06. That lag between cause & effect makes it much harder to learn about a particular car's peculiarities and/or develop new skills.

The SuperMID is the prime candidate. Same thing basjoos is using in his car.

I'm not sure what the EPA is for my 96 manual corolla hatch but without instrumentation I have gone from 450km/~41L tank (9.1L/100km) to about 580-620km (average of 6.8L/100km). That just using basic fuel saving techniques and no mods other than higher air pressure and removing junk from the car. I'd like to get a superMID but i'm not sure if I can here in sydney (no its not OBDII).

I normally use instrumtation, but not all the time. I've been swapping the scangauge between vehicles to test out different things and borrowing it out to help friends get better mileage. I'm currently averaging about 32% above EPA. Once summer comes around I'll be disappointed and shocked if I'm not seeing 45% over combined EPA consistantly.

Yeah, you can improve without it. But, there are many techniques that really help to have instrumentation. Specifically I'm thinking driving with load which is an automatic tranny's main technique IMO. Its much easier to visually SEE while your driving what hurts and what helps.

I currently do not use any FE instrumentation and I'm beating the (2008) EPA by 40%
if we're using the old numbers, I'm up 24%.

Either way, I think that the lack of instrumentation is really holding me back at this point. There are several techniques that I don't use now because I can't do them "correctly" without instrumentation.

For example, I don't P&G on the highway. My much lower Cd should really help me out in that area, and make P&G a very viable technique on the highway. But every time I try it, my next fillup sucks. I'm sure that there is a way for me to P&G on the highway and reap big gains, but I currently have no way of knowing about the finer points of my technique.

Yes, I do...

When all city... I get between 20-30% over EPA city

On highway, I get 15-25% over EPA highway - max to date was a little less than 30% over EPA highway...

ScanGauge(s)
 

I Started out with an SG-I and upgraded to an SG-II after I wore it out :o

Basically, it's instant feedback on how you perceive the way you can drive the most efficiently. I can't quantify it, but mods + technique yield ~34% ^EPA. Feedback is a big part of that percentage.

Without the SG in other vehicles, the instant FE display is a good approximation too...

RH77

What I've learned from this poll.... Most people that buy some form of instrumentation... don't use it.... seems off, but okay.

Maybe people without instrumentation voted too - as not be be left out?

Corrections Department
 

Correction: Can't edit right now :confused:

The %^EPA is closer to 25%...

RH77

Hello -

I use an SG I and it has made all the difference. If my car was pre-1996, I would definitely use a vacuum gauge. I do a ton of highway, but I don't have a breakdown of the %. My combined over (new) EPA is 41 / 27 = 1.5185 => 52% over EPA.

CarloSW2

I have no instrumentation beyond the oem tach I installed last March.
I'm told that a SuperMid would work but I'm not keen on tapping into the injector and speedo wiring to set it up.

If/when I replace this car I intend to insist on '96 and later so I can use a ScanGauge.

Current 90 day average (winter and mostly short hops) is 26% over EPA combined.
Lifetime average is 47% over EPA combined but it includes mostly highway.
Lifetime averate is 27% over EPA highway.

I've never been able to improve my mileage via P&G. I've tried it at various speed ranges and accelleration rates and have never been able to get mileage over what I get with my usual driving-with-load'ish driving technique (and usually it is worse with P&G). I suspect this is because the Honda engine is designed to run very efficiently at low power levels. The closest I get to P&G in my usual driving is on rolling terrain with too much elevation change for DWL to be practical, so I pulse the uphills and glide the downhills.

In order to make pulse and glide efficient IMO you need a way of indicating weather your in open/closed loop mode. If your AFR is dropping down too low your loosing everything you just gained by pulsing. So, put up another point for instrumentation.

IMO, pulse and glide is where I've gained nearly all my mileage since my route is almost all highway. FYI, my previous percentages were per the old EPA, not even the new ones. The 2008 ratings would put me at 52% right now, and 72% come summer.

Interesting. I've just assumed that I was doing it wrong. Oh well, I won't be assuming anything for much longer. I'll have a SuperMID here in a week or so. :thumbup:

Currently I'm not using anything. I have an 89 Honda wagon. I used a vacum gauge for quite a while and I had a voltmeter hooked up to the oxygen sensor. It was instructive, up to a point, but it wasn't as helpful as I'd like.

I'd like to get a way to monitor instant mileage, average mileage and timing, but with what I am getting, I can't see enough of a potential savings to justify, plus I need to keep every nickel as I can.

Currently do not, but am planning on getting either a scangaugeII or the "mid" thing as soon as I do some more researching on them(and when the IRS gives me back some of my money:))

Just got a new fuel and trip computer
 

just started using the KEL in my truck.

it does work on any MFI gasoline or LPG engine.

uses the pulse width and the VSS signal. it does not have all the functions of the super mid but i am still checking accuracy and learning the functions.

first pic my first mileage computer (1976)

second pic the KEL is on top of the dash, left side (2008)

mid 30's - my mpg driving like a normal person
low 40's - mpg hypermiling with no instrumentation
low-mid 50's - hypermiling with a scangauge

It's no contest, it helps absolutely.

And P&G works wonders on the highway, too. I took a 200 mile trip (400 round trip) a few months ago. P&G with a 55-65 mph range on the interstate = 55mpg. On the way back, I set the cruise control at 65. The terrain was mostly flat, so hills were not an issue. 43mpg.

ScanGauge!
 

I will soon.:D
I haven't yet.:o
All is about to change.:D
The woman has relented.:D
The world will be a better place.:thumbup:
Schultz.

WHOOPS,
On my mechanical injected diesel i mounted a throttle position sensor near the pump linkage and attached, so that under like conditions, i can compare A vs. B vs. A mods. Just by reading the ohms across the TPS. would apply to carbureted engines, to compliment vacuum.

On pre ODB injected engines, you can also compare % load if you have an accurate dwell meter. JUst hook to an injector to get the percentage of time the injector is open. Under given conditions, same gear, speed, road, day, etc. you can compare A vs. B mods. for example windows up vs. windows down.

I recently installed a scanguage II. I have it set on IGN RPM WTP and MPG

That should be useful sometime soon. ;) I like the Scangauge.

Another useful instrument to have in a FE oriented car is a voltmeter so you can monitor your battery voltage, especially useful when FAS'ing at night when outside temps are well below freezing.

I absolutely agree! In my case the Scangauge does that, but everyone should have one.

Instantaneous feedback is important to me. I have two daisy chained scan gauges and the Prius MFD. I monitor RPM, SOC, IGN, Tank Ave MPG, Instantaneous MPG, Water temp, and two different Current Ave MPG's. That is 8 gauges total. In city driving I watch the MFD arrow display to help engage and control stealth and warp stealth. I use RPM and IGN to help engage and control super highway mode. I also have a GPS which I use to monitor cruising speed (highway) and elevation.

Elevation? Which model has that?

I have double ScanGauge envy now! 4 isn't enough but I could get by on 6.

I have a Magellen Explorist 400. Most GPS's have elevation. You can find the Explorist on ebay for under $100.

I don't have any FE installed yet. I do have a used Apexi Vafc which allows 8 or 16pt fuel adjustment +- (its the old Vaft, precursor to the NEO which is approx $400). i'd like to connect the Vafc and a good AFR gauge (on another thread). hmm i think a seperate toy- apexi auto timer has battery voltage readout on it come to think of it. How does a Vacuum gage or Voltmeter help with fuel efficiency?

I don't currently use FE instrumentation but I do use a GPS to calculate my miles, max speed, ave moving speed, time stopped. I'm still new to hymermilling (3 tanks) but my last one was 37MPG which means ((37-28)/28)*100 = 32% I think I'll get a vacuum gauge.

(I realize this is an old topic but thought I should reply anyway since I voted "Yes".)

I do have a Scangauge II V 4.06, And it has been of help and I can still learn more by using it. However, The gauge has gone wonky lately (And it might be due to starting the car and turning it off quickly) and hasn't always shown proper tank data in the 2000 Dodge Caravan 3.0 Litre model; Sometimes the tank data reads something like 2.3, 2.6 or 2.7 MPG, 4,000+ miles and something like a maximum speed of 124 MPH but an average of 154. Perhaps I should reset it to the factory defaults?

Information is KNOWLEDGE, especially if you *know how* to USE that information!