fuelly app or automatic device or something else?

I don't know. My only question would be would you trust any automatic device to be as accurate as your own calculations at the pump?

If you have confidence in the accuracy of any device you are deciding to use...go for it.

 

^ +1
It probably will report the same numbers on the dash.

 

Can't you just get a receipt when you fill up?
In Oregon, if you request a receipt it shows the amount paid, and the amount of the fill up. So all you would have to do is be aware of the miles driven between fill ups, and you could enter all this information in any data base you have or have created at your leisure.

 

^ What he said.

I'm not even sure how you'd do that, pay cash. You go into the station, hand over cash, they pre-authorize that amount on your pump? That in itself would make it very difficult to track tank-by-tank mpg.

My 2 cents, assuming you've got plastic:

Use your card, and always fill till it shuts off. If the printer at the pump is broken, just write down the displayed gallons pumped on a scrap of paper, and note the odometer reading also. Or start using a different station stays on top of maintenance more.

 

The weirdest 'States experience for me:

Maui, no problems at gas stations, roll in, use a credit card as usual. But Oahu: it asks you to enter a zip code, and everybody out-of-state, go see the attendant. You have to surrender your card to the attendant, tell him(her) what pump you're on.

 

Doesn't the Fuelly app require odo reading plus amount of gas? I don't understand how it's freeing you up from having to acquire those two stats.

I mean, I use Fuelly, but just as an afterthought, mainly for the displayable icon, I start by entering the stats in my spreadsheet. But it could just be done with a calculator, or even pen and paper. The spreadsheet, or Fuelly, has the advantage of maintaining running totals.

 

Yeah I reset trip meter at fill up too. It's good for feedback, how far you've gone, and (somewhat exaggerated) mpg. Only thing, it's prone to accidental reset, so I use the odometer reading, that's pretty much bulletproof. But again, it's different strokes for different folks, I'm the first to admit I'm obsessive, been tracking mpg tank-by-tank virtually since we bought the car, skipped maybe a 1000 km's at the start.

 

I haven't used Fuelly - only heard out it when I joined PriusChat - but when I change cars, will go that way.

Since 1992, I've made up an Excel spreadsheet which I've kept track of fuel use for all my cars. It's quite handy now, I can go back and check on any of the cars I've had since then.

Initially, I had a small note pad in the car which I'd jot down the odometer, fuel price and $/litre, tear it off and enter. But now, I pay all fuel by credit card and get a receipt which shows quantities, and I write odometer on the back, then enter it on computer. I reset the trip, the l/100km and average speed when I fill.

 

Looks a lot my mine, just I don't include cost, don't want to think about. We're really low usage too, the $'s are trivial, maybe $30 per month, even up here in Canada.

 

i do mine on paper too, then enter into the spreadsheet. it gives you a chance to compare tanks.

 

I also use fuelly, but I get a receipt at the pump. I quickly reset my trip meter and write the mileage on the receipt for entry later, so I don't tie up the pump.

I'm interested to see if anyone chimes in about the Automatic device. I've always been jealous of my coworkers with Nissan Leafs, as they have a Nissan app that automatically logs their trips (basic info such as time, distance, energy usage). I haven't purchased the Automatic myself because I prefer to log more details (such as instantaneous voltage and resistance on all of the battery blocks) than it provides. Right now, I'm using an OBD2 wireless dongle + the EngineLink app, but it is NOT automated - I have to email the log to myself at the end of every trip.

 

One PriusChatter recalled here:

He filled up, then pulled over, just away from the pumps, to do some calculation. He sat with his head down for while, and someone came over to check on him, see if he was ok.

 

I've had the Automatic dongle (both generations) for a few years now. I had it on my Hyundai Elantra before I lost it in an accident and now in my Prius c Four.

I did have some connection issues with the device with my Elantra in the past, but it has been much better with my Prius. The connection is through Bluetooth and it's fairly quick most of the time, though sometimes it does have issues connecting but I think that is because Apple can't get Bluetooth 100% most of the time.

I like that it's pretty much automated and keeps track of how many miles I drive on each trip, and it also beeps when I do a hard brake, hard acceleration, and reminds me when I go over 70 mph. Sometimes it gets annoying, but it does help me be more mindful about my driving habits. You also get a score each day depending on how you do on your drives, so the gamification is fun, IMO.

If you drive for business, the app now lets you tag trips as "Business" so it's easier to keep track of. They also do monthly reports that they send to your email so it's fun to look back at the previous month and see how you did on your drives.

I don't think the Automatic is for everyone. I tend to think of it more as a Fitbit for your car, and I've actually enjoyed having the data available for my trips, no matter how long or short they may be. And I love the fact that I don't have to really do anything, since it automatically connects when I start my car.

Just my thoughts on the Automatic device. Hope it helps.

EDIT: Forgot to add that it also has a feature where you can add some emergency contacts and if the dongle detects that you're in a crash, it will automatically let those people know.

 

AT&T(I think) has been running radio ads for their Hum, which sounds a lot like the Automatic.