OK, need someone with a 2004 MCS with On-Board computer that does instantaneous MPG. I'd like to get some data for steady cruising on a flat stretch of roadway in different gears at different speeds. Please indicate if you have any mods done such as pulley reduction, etc. I also need this to be done to ensure a constand load is on the car, so go easy on the throttle. Also please let me know how long it takes for the 2004 On Board computer readings to stabalize. I'd do this myself, but I have an 03 OnBoard computer that only does average MPG.


6th Gear
50 MPH: __._ MPG
55 MPH: __._ MPG
60 MPH: __._ MPG
65 MPH: __._ MPG
70 MPH: __._ MPG
75 MPH: __._ MPG


5th Gear
50 MPH: __._ MPG
55 MPH: __._ MPG
60 MPH: __._ MPG
65 MPH: __._ MPG
70 MPH: __._ MPG
75 MPH: __._ MPG


4th Gear
50 MPH: __._ MPG
55 MPH: __._ MPG
60 MPH: __._ MPG
65 MPH: __._ MPG
70 MPH: __._ MPG
75 MPH: __._ MPG


Thanks a ton!

 

Bump

8)

 

It takes a while to "stabilize." I kind of wish it had a 5 or 10 second average - even on relatively smooth, level road, under cruise control, it fluctuates too often for my taste

 

Thanks DeadGuy for the info. Do you have any readings?

 

I'll see if I can find a flatter stretch of road to test on - I do live in Utah, so that's somewhat more rare, unless I'm out near the Bonneville raceway - that's nice and flat.

If someone doesn't give you data before this weekend, I'll see what I can do to head out that way, where I can give you 75mph on cruise control in 4th (now that my break-in is finally over)

 

Oh, I forgot to ask please. :smile:

Seriously, does anyone else experience the fluctuations that deadguy referrs to on their 04 On-Board Instanteneous MPG?

 

Anyone else have any data they can share?

 

i would help...i do not have the computer on my car

i am sure someone can help you...there are many people here who have the equipment

good luck :-)

 

Ill gather this info for you sometime within the next couple of days. See my list of mods in my sig.

 

Thanks! I appreciate it.

I guess I'll explain what I'm after a little bit more. I'm looking to see if the additional load on the engine at 2k RPMS in higher gears is causing higher than normal fuel consumption (blower is kicked in to help maintain speed). So maybe it'd be more fuel efficient to cruise around at 3k then at 2k. (I used 2k and 3k as examples, what might surprise us is where our little supercharged 1.6L engine is most fuel efficient for cruising.

 

No No, thank you for the excuse to get out of the house and into my MINI

 

If you're in Tracy, the 120 from the 5 to the 99 is fairly flat and straight. Might be a good place to cruise. Just watch out for the draft (cruising behind other cars cutting thru the wind).

 

I just decided I am going to go get my hair cut and do this test on my way.... I have gone to the same place to get my hair cut for 7 years..... but it didnt used to be 60 miles away Ill make sure to avoid any drafts for you

 

I have noticed the same fluctuations. It is very difficult to get a steady reading. It fluctuates if you shift your foot so slightly that you cannot even feel it. If you take your foot up and just let it coast, it goes to 99.99..that is the steadiest you can get.

But the lower gears do get lower gas milage during the acceleration. In first and second it will go down to 8 or 9 miles per gallon, versus 11 to 15 in higher gears (at lower RPMS under heavy load)...is that what you are looking for? I have to admit that I usually have the current gas usage displaying so I look at it a lot...

And, I think (if I remember) it is more efficient to go at 3 than at 2..if you are giving it any gas at all. It's not the RPM so much as the amount of acceleration you are giving it..but I think I have noticed that if I am running at higher speeds and I go from 4th at 4000 RPM to 3rd at 3000 RPM the miles per gallon jumps up, and again from 4th to 5th. But if I am at lower RPMS in 6th and I go to a higher RPM in a lower gear then the milages improves again...I assume because the gear ratio causes to car to speed up with less throttle at the lower gear under that condition...

gosh i think i may have just muddied the issue trying to help out

 

mmmk.... I just got back and I have decided that the on board computer's instant mpg sucks donkey *****. I have never really used it before today, and I dont think I will in the future. You arent missing out on anything spectacular...... I would be in 5th gear going 50 mph with my foot BARELY touching the throttle to hold it there... no fluctuations in my foot (except maybe a pulse) and the thing was going nutso.... would go from 30 mpg to 40mpg, to 45 mpg back down to 35 mpg. Its a piece of junk. Sorry that I couldnt be more of a help.

 

Don't know how its implemented on the MINI, but, on most cars, I think the "instantaneous mileage" is simply an interpretation of the current intake manifold vacuum. Entertaining, but, not really accurate for anything.

 

Why not begin cruising at said speed, then reset the average MPG and take a reading after some time...?

 

Thanks a TON!! That confirms my suspicions.

Interesting. That confirms what deadguy was saying....


Well my experience with the average MPG is not so good. Even when you reset the damn thing, it still factors in your driving habits from BEFORE you reset it. I'm not sure how many miles it "holds" in its memory, but I can definitely say it does. Go ahead and try an experient. Next time you run a tank and are getting exceptional fuel mileage, reset it on the next fill-up and watch the ave MPG read high from the get-go (drive a nice steady miles). Now, blast thru that tank of fuel (get really low fuel economy). Go back to the same fuel station, fill up, reset the MPG, then drive that same nice steady pace for a few miles. Notice how it "remembers" the fuel economy from the time that was supposed to be wipped out when you hit reset? Now image this effect on quick little 30 second tests where you're trying to simulate instanteneous MPG by resetting ever 30 seconds....Oh bugger!!

Anyhow, I think I have my answer to my question from jennscooper.


Thanks again to everyone for contributing. :-)

 

FWIW, I'm not buying that logic.
At cruise, an engine turning at 3k is going to burn more gas than one turning at 2k. I can't imagine a scenario where a lower gear gets you better mileage. MAYBE if you're going uphill and lugging it at 2k, but that's not cruising. The blower is only on when your foot is in it - directly related to vaccuum, which is related to the position of the throttle. Watching my boost guage (non-MCS) I'm amazed at how little time I spend in boost.

 

Maybe Im confused but:

why would you even have a boost gauge in a NON-S ?

 

Actually, it's a boost guage in a non-MINI. :smile:
'91 Miata w/Eaton M-45.

I'm still looking for the right deal for the MCS. With MINI dropping Indi Blue and the two spoke wheel and ridiculous resale prices, I'm in a bit of a conundrum. My ideal (short of reinstating IB for '05)- '04MCS IB/W, Pkg1&3, cloth, Nav. Still looking....