Good dead tree MPG log?

I started using the MFD's Info->Calendar->Memo function to log all my fillups and mpg calculations. When I go to the gas station, I enter a new Memo on the given Calendar date and type in "x.x GAL, xxx MI, xx.x MPG" which happens to just fit the maximum memo length. I can always go back and list the memos in my calendar to see past performance. The month view on the Calendar makes it easy to find the memos since there's a mark placed in the corresponding date box.

Maybe not the best way, but it's the only practical use I have for the Calendar function since it doesn't hotsync with any portable PIM products!

 

Found a collection of mileage logbooks on Froogle. The Adams Vehicle Mileage Logs look like they might be what you're looking for.

 

Danny (AdminCoop) and I have been working together on the PriusChat Store. I'll suggest to him that we make available a journal for this purpose; it will even have the PriusChat logo on it!

 

For my last 2 cars I have been using a little notebook that the local stationery store sells as a "geology field book." The pages are 7" wide and 5" tall "graph paper" ruled on a 1/6" grid, so you can line up your columns neatly. The notebook has a hard black cover (like those on some larger notebooks that are called "composition books"), so it is very durable, and it fits nicely in a glove compartment.

I have noticed that there is a certain percentage of the population that, hybrid or no hybrid, compulsively records their gasoline purchases.

I also record all service work on the car, which turns out to be much more useful than the pages and pages of gasoline data.

 

For me, it was easy - print one up, cut & bind it.

Just a small benefit of working in a printing department.

-m.

 

I really wanted one too. I went to Staples and they had some, not the best. But I made it work, it suits my needs. ~$.99

 

If you have a Palm-based PDA, I *highly* recommend "Highway Manager" from TinyStocks.com. I've been using it religiously since I got my Sebring in 2001 and now that I've traded that gas-guzzler in for a Prius I have a reason to use the "notes" feature -- to record the MFD's report of MPG when I fill up!

The ability to keep a lifetime "cost of ownership" record as well as to record fill-ups as being related to a particular trip (so you can get "trip" MPG as well as tank and overall) is really cool.

http://www.tinystocks.com/highway.html

Peter+

 

There is something satisfying about having a dead tree book. I just use a simple blank book with blank pages, one page per fill up. Every so often I use acid free rubber cement to attach the receipt. I also use it for miscellaneous notes. I transfer the numbers to a flat file (one line of text per fill) and crunch on it with filters. But then I am a unix guy.

Does anybody reset the MSG display more or less often than every fill up? "More often" makes sense to me, it is harder to see changes in MPG toward the end of the tank. Maybe just a separate chart, displaying MPG versus odometer, with vertical bars indicating fill points. It would have been good to have done this all along, but it might be a good habit to start new owners on. Before and after long trips would be a good time to reset the MPG calculation, for example.

Right now my MPG is really bad. I have a 2.5 mile commute, I never get beyond the first five minute period. I am thinking of getting a bicycle for the commute. 2.5 mile one way, that is.

 

TonyPSchaefer
I'm not very good at excel but I have the program. Do you have a template of the gas mileage document? Or do you know where I can find one?

It would take me a hours starting from scratch because I know so little, but if there is already one out there....

Or if anyone else knows about such a template I'd really appreciate it.

 

Because I pay cash? Already have too many receipts to track in Quicken. I don't need to see what %age of my spending is on gas. Especially when a $20 covers it.

I got a basic small notepad at Staples when I couldn't find a specific gas tracking one. I laid out 3 different formats to see which worked best. Then I got gas the first time and realized: I don't need a page per month because I will only be stopping once or twice a month anyway! I guess I can use most of the pad to take notes on other things.

Assuming you have a safe road, good idea! Even dawdling along at 10 mph, you can be there in 15 minutes.

 

Thanks for the template. I've started playing with it and it works fine.

 

http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-data09.htm ...has quite a few spreadsheet samples on it, documenting my 4 years and 82,000 miles of Prius driving.

 

123 MPG spreadsheet

I have both. I made a 123 version of Tony's Excel file. I can do this because unlike some (non)competitive products, 123 will open spreadsheet files from other vendors.
I modified it slightly by adding a "calculated refill gallons" column based on "tank MPG" and "tank miles". Both are presumed to be Prius computer values. [sup:136fad161d]*[/sup:136fad161d]
I then used this column to calculate Lifetime mpg since Tony's sheet assumes relatively stable "tank miles" values. (And has shorted his lifetime MPG slightly).

[sup:136fad161d]*[/sup:136fad161d] I figure we don't want to spew gas all over the place if the computer or the pump is wrong and we can't really fit "computer tank miles/computer mpg" gallons in the tank so we pump a little less than we might be able to fit.


OK, I DIDN'T attach it. I get an error saying "The Extension 123 is not allowed". What's up with that Danny?? I renamed the file to a .txt. MAYBE if you download it and change the extenstion to .123 it will work??