Trip computer not accurate

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Sep 28, 2015 | 03:18 PM
  #1  
Anyone else have issue with the mileage on the trip computer being off? Mine usually is off 3 miles per gallon.
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Sep 28, 2015 | 03:45 PM
  #2  
My 2010 overstated my mpg by 5.5%. My 2014 overstates it by 5.0%. The speedometers also overstate the mph. The odometer is reasonably accurate provided you don't change the diameter of the tires.
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Sep 28, 2015 | 05:35 PM
  #3  
Mine appears to show an MPG estimate of about +/- 2%, which is more accurate than most cars I've owned (which is a lot). Nevertheless, calculated [odometer vs. gallons] is the only realistic way to get solid long-term data.

The OBDII knows the actual speed, it's just that the computer displays a lower speed. E.G. OBDII and GPS will say 71 MPH but the speedometer will display 73 MPH. That's a better displayed accuracy than previous gen MINI's. If you need actual speed, use a GPS or a ScanGauge.
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Sep 28, 2015 | 10:59 PM
  #4  
It always needs mentioning that there is a built in (on purpose) +2 to +3 MPH difference between indicated and actual speed mandated by the EU.
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Sep 29, 2015 | 04:44 AM
  #5  
Quote: It always needs mentioning that there is a built in (on purpose) +2 to +3 MPH difference between indicated and actual speed mandated by the EU.
Thanks - I hadn't seen that before. European regulation ECE-R 39 says 0 ≤ (V1 – V2) ≤ 0,1 V2 + 4 km/h.

Funny - several Mercedes that I've driven have pretty much exactly matched the speed shown on an auxiliary GPS. I've no experience with a BMW, but my 2015 F55 speed reads high by a solid 4mph at 70. When I asked the service manager he said they all do it. I find it annoying - oh well, 1st world problem.
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Sep 29, 2015 | 05:35 AM
  #6  
exactly,its allowed to be spot-on, just not low. All having nothing to do with the thread topic...
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Sep 29, 2015 | 07:03 AM
  #7  
Quote: Thanks - I hadn't seen that before. European regulation ECE-R 39 says 0 ≤ (V1 – V2) ≤ 0,1 V2 + 4 km/h.
Another 'hate to bring it up' issue here. The MPH discrepancy between GPS and indicated speed has been a common topic in a multitude of threads. A little searching would have uncovered all this. Of course the thread participant that points this out often has fruit, vegetables and worse thrown at him for his efforts.
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Sep 29, 2015 | 09:06 AM
  #8  
Mine seems to vary depending on how much highway driving I've done. I've only filled up three times. The first was spot on. The second time was off by about 3 mpg. The third fill up was very close(within 1 mpg). The first and third tanks were about two-thirds highway driving, and none on the second tank. Seems like it may be underestimating fuel use driving around town (or at least mine does).
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Sep 29, 2015 | 09:38 AM
  #9  
The MPG on my 2007 was spot on. On my 2014 JCW it says I get about 2 MPG better than I really do.
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Oct 3, 2015 | 06:58 AM
  #10  
My 2014 3s trip computer averages 3 miles better than I really get. Last fill up was dead on. The speedo is exactly 5 off. Guess that will help with tickets.
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Oct 3, 2015 | 10:47 AM
  #11  
Quote: Anyone else have issue with the mileage on the trip computer being off? Mine usually is off 3 gallons per mile.
Am I the only one catching this error? My MCS is running right about 35 mpg or 1/35 gpm. The above would mean either running negative gpm (-2.65 gpm) or 3 1/35 gpm. In mpg that would be pretty low (less than .3 mpg fuel use). I hope what was meant was off by 3 mpg which is about a 10% error.
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Oct 3, 2015 | 12:05 PM
  #12  
Actually have a very important comment to make.

I've had my F56 MCS for a month now. I noticed my car uses UK gallons in MPG calculations and has no setting to switch to US gallons. This is very deceiving. I was blown away by my 45+ MPG highway runs...until I realized it was only mid 30s.

Anyone else notice this?
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Oct 4, 2015 | 06:16 AM
  #13  
Quote: Am I the only one catching this error? My MCS is running right about 35 mpg or 1/35 gpm. The above would mean either running negative gpm (-2.65 gpm) or 3 1/35 gpm. In mpg that would be pretty low (less than .3 mpg fuel use). I hope what was meant was off by 3 mpg which is about a 10% error.
good catch, no I don't drive and M1A2 Abrams. I changed to 3 miles per gallon.
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Oct 4, 2015 | 09:07 PM
  #14  
Quote: good catch, no I don't drive and M1A2 Abrams. I changed to 3 miles per gallon.

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Oct 5, 2015 | 08:19 AM
  #15  
Quote: Actually have a very important comment to make.

I've had my F56 MCS for a month now. I noticed my car uses UK gallons in MPG calculations and has no setting to switch to US gallons. This is very deceiving. I was blown away by my 45+ MPG highway runs...until I realized it was only mid 30s.

Anyone else notice this?
There is a setting in the computer to change units. Try searching in the onboard owners manual. If you can't find it, your dealership can help fix the setting.
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Oct 5, 2015 | 09:01 AM
  #16  
I've found where to switch units but the only options are km/l, l/100km and MPG. MPG, in this case, is UK gallons. It's possible the car is programmed for the wrong country (UK) but my sidemarkers light up and I don't think they would if it was programmed for UK. I just run it in L/100km now anyway.
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Oct 5, 2015 | 09:58 AM
  #17  
Ok. I have an idea. Is the system language set for English (UK)? If so, that might automatically change the gallon unit without it explicitly stating.
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