Gas Mileage Computer Readings

For checking mpg, it's very simple to do: Pick a series of five future fill ups - call them f0, f1, f2, f3, and f4.

Reset the console average at f0. Record miles driven from f0 thru f4 and gallons to fill up only for f1 thru f4 using the exact same technique to stop each fill up f0 thru f4 (i.e., slow feed approaching nozzle click-off point, and repeat slow flow to second click-off of nozzle, then shut pump off). Doing it over several fill ups will average out any inconsistencies of the individual fill ups. At f4, compare the console mpg to your actual average calculated from total miles traveled ÷ total gallons used for f0 thru f4.

The distance to empty varies with how the car is sitting because one of the variables used in the calculation is how many gallons remaining in the tank, which is determined by the float level in the tank (varies with tilting of the vehicle).

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

Even though there is exactly the same amount of gas in the tank before it was shut off, you may have been traveling on a slight incline while traveling and parked on the level when stopped. On an incline, the gas would 'pool' to one end of the tank, giving the float arm the impression that there was more (or less) as in the tank then when level. The computer, now reading more )or less) fuel calculates a different distance to empty based on this reading. Will equal out after you get going. (I noticed the same thing).