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Poor Man's ScanGauge Device

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by MarcusRepublic, Oct 18, 2012.

  1. MarcusRepublic

    MarcusRepublic Junior Member

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    I wanted to share with everyone on the forum about how I track instant MPG readings while I drive without using a ScanGauge device in my 2012 Prius. I use the MPG readout on my odometer for Trip B. Each time, I enter my car, before I place my foot on the brakes to start the car, I tap the power button twice. This will turn on my electronics. I then reset my data from Trip B on my odometer. After that, I turn on my car and begin driving. As I drive it will tell me the instant MPG I am getting. I have adapted my driving around this to see when I drive my Prius most effectively and when I suffer in MPG loss during my normal route I take to work and school. However, this technique does not give me engine temperature or RPM readouts like the ScanGauge. If you are having trouble getting high MPGs, then this might work for you like it works for me. I am averaging 75+ MPG since doing this on my normal 10 mile commute. The highest I've gotten was 90.6 MPG!
     
    #1 MarcusRepublic, Oct 18, 2012
  2. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    You know there is an instant MPG slider indicator to the right of the speed right? And when you power off, you get a trip summary with the trip's MPG.
     
    #2 Jonny Zero, Oct 19, 2012
  3. MarcusRepublic

    MarcusRepublic Junior Member

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    Yep! I use that instant MPG slider indicator as well to figure what my average is at each second. I want to know how much MPGs I'm doing as I'm driving rather than finding out at the end when I turn off my car.
     
    #3 MarcusRepublic, Oct 20, 2012
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are you sure the trip meter is 'instant'?
     
    #4 bisco, Oct 20, 2012
  5. User37

    User37 Can spell PRIUS

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    I thought the trip meter value is averaged over the last 20 kms (or so)
     
    #5 User37, Oct 21, 2012
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well, if you reset it, it starts over and gives a pretty immediate reading. but i don't think it's instantaneous like a scan gauge.
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 21, 2012
  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    #7 fotomoto, Oct 21, 2012
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that link made me realize the op said instant mpg, but he's getting average mpg on the trip screen. same with the obd, but scan gauge gives instant current mpg.
     
    #8 bisco, Oct 21, 2012
  9. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Got an Android phone? If so then check out Torque.
     
    #9 markabele, Oct 24, 2012
    WE0H likes this.
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