How to Become a Hypermiler

Step 5 Instrumentation

Install a trip computer that can give you instantaneous fuel consumption feedback. Then, turn driving into a game - always try to beat your highest score.

Nissan, according to internal testing, estimates gains in fuel economy ~10%
All New Nissan Vehicles will be equipped with fuel consumption instrumentation.

Toyota Estimates 5-10%, and They too will include instrumentation in new vehicles

Comments

[jimmytvf]

i don't really care the instantly fuel consumption, is unprecise, if you step the throttle will mark about 17l / 100km (i'm european sorry) and with only a touch, 3,6l / km. The real deal is have the average mile consumption and manage that

[trebuchet03]

Knowing instant will help your averages for the long term ;) If I recall correctly, Toyota published a study a few years ago indicating something around a 4% decrease in fuel consumption when the driver was shown their instantaneous fuel consumption :) This is very much akin to watching pennies today so you'll have dollars tomorrow (or insert the currency of your choice :p).

[jimmytvf]

yes, you're right. if you improve the instant one, the average will lower too, i didn't realize about that ;)

[trebuchet03]

No worries! :D

[NSkeeter99]

Not as fancy are accurate on millage savings, but a lot cheaper. vacuum gauges go a long way. Just try to drive with the highest passable vac. higher vac higher mileage.

[ryanaghdam]

Yes, purchasing a $100 device will certainly aid you in saving a few cents every now and then...

[trebuchet03]

Fair enough, I guess I was assuming too much. So for those that aren't so good with math - I've done it out for you...

Lets average 15,000 miles per year. Lets say you get 20mpg.
In one year, you will consume 750 gallons of fuel.
With a 5-10% increase in fuel economy, you'll get 21-22mpg.
Then, in a single year you'll consume 681-714 gallons of fuel saving 36 - 69 gallons.

At current gas prices, ~$2.087 (According to AAA on Nov 17, 2008 - that reduction in consumption accounts for dollar savings of $75-$144 per year.

So if you keep your vehicle for 5 years - that keeps $375-$720 in your pocket. And the instrumentation can be moved to your next vehicle.

---

Mind you, if you get 30mpg, the savings aren't as high... 30 MPG nets savings between $50 and $95. But fuel prices are variable - long term trends generally say fuel prices will go up.

There are alternatives for those with a bit of DIY in them - the open source community has been developing low cost (This one is ~$40 in kit form) instrumentation for pre OBDII vehicles MPGuino Kit - and OBDII compliant versions are currently under development :) I built one for a tad more than $27.50 :)

---

So "a few cents" - hardly. You can continue to complain that you never get higher than the EPA estimates, if you're one of those people. In the past 2+ years, I have never been below the EPA estimates (except for when I had a bunch of stuff on my roof while moving cross country), and average a fair bit above ;)

[wi-fi astronomer]

Love that readout. What was this driver trying to do? Break the sound barrier? :)

[Derin]

yea dude