The instantaneous MPG calculator on the OBC is awesome! It improved my MPG from around 26-27 mpg to 34-35 mpg in one day - and this was driving the exact same 70% city, 30% highway rush-hour commuting route through NYC that I drive every day. My first 2 tanks of gas only got me 26.4 and 27.1 mpg according to the NAV OBC, which was a little disappointing. I thought maybe that's the best I would be able to do on my commuting route. Since I have the NAV option, I had been using the NAV screen interface for the OBC, which doesn't seem to offer the instantaneous MPG calculator. Instead, you have to use the OBC above the steering column, which I had been using as a speedometer.

Anyway, once I started using the instantaneous MPG calculator, my mpg went from 26-27 to 34-35 mpg. The instantaneous mpg function is a great tool for learning how to drive efficiently! The one technical improvement so far that has made the greatest difference was learning gentler throttle control on the highway. But more importantly, in my opinion, is the psychological impact of the instantaneous mpg calculator. Seeing the calculator go to 99.9 mpg is a great feeling! So I try to get it there or at least keep it above 50 mpg as much as possible, even if it means driving slower on inclines (about the speed of the big tractor trailers). With the computer constantly reminding me that I am saving gas, I don't feel so dopey driving at the speed limit on the highway.

Of course, getting great mileage isn't everything - that's why I got an MCS instead of a Prius. It is nice to know that I can still merge into full-speed highway traffic from a dead stop (which I also have to do daily on my commute).

Anwyay, I just wanted to let any of the NAV OBC users out there like me who don't seem to be getting the MPG they had hoped: Turn on the Instantaneous MPG calculator!

 

just... make sure you also keep your eye on the road

 

I just shift at 1999 rpm. I am got 36.7 mpg by manual calculation on the last tank.

 

I am absolutely positive that this is probably a dumb question ... but here goes ... this Instantaneous MPG Calculator isn't part of the R50 tach is it?

_

 

Heh, now that I've calmed down and read my post again it sounds like an infomercial for some new fangled gadget. I guess I was excited to learn something new about my MINI. Still cool though, nonetheless.

 

I thought it was, but its been awhile since I drove an r50. Easy enough to check though. This isn't new technology, my MY85 Golf had this feature, I agree it's great for tuning driving style.

 

If you get a Scangauge II and set mpg as one of the fields to display, it reads up over 200 mpg before jumping to 9999. Much more impressive to look at than 99.9.

The lowest I've ever seen in my S is 34 mpg, with the highest being 39 mpg on an all highway trip.

 

Depends on the year, I think--the early ones didn't have it.

 

No worries, Plin, nothing at all stupid about your posts. There's lots of things to get excited about with the Mini and if one of them made you a better driver, so much the better. Besides, if you can't get excited over something in your Mini, what can you get excited about?

 

The 'Real-Time' MPG is what I like to keep seen on my Tach Display

It was quite a shock to see the mpg 'hit' by the Air Conditioner.

My last car, 1988 Turbo LeBaron RagTop also had MPG Display and its AC 'hit' was much less,
but the MINI has a much stronger AC on a smaller engine and nets better MPG's (+10 at least).

Using the ScanGauge to save fuel

In addition to what Minidrivr said about ScanGuage;
Displaying your Turbo's Boost will greatly aid in 'feathering' your accelerator pedal for best mileage.

I had added an analog MP Gauge to LeBaron and its reading leads instant MPG by quite a bit.

 

It is if you got the on board computer option.

 

The display below the tach shows Outside Temp, Range, Avg Speed and Avg MPG. Does this mean I have the onboard computer? Is there something I can program that will put out the Instantaneous MPG Calculator?

_

 

Using this device, I have found the key to good milage for me is to be in 5th and 6th gears as much of the time as I can without lugging the engine.

 

Agree. I used to never upshift until the tach was about 3500rmp. Now I upshift at 2800-3000 and the car doesn't lug at all in the higher 2 gears. At 2500 rpm it accelerates just fine.

 

Using the tool, I found that driving 80 on the highways burns way too much fuel, and I get my best mileage driving around country roads in 5th.

 

What does it mean to lug the engine?

 

That's weird. I've never had one without the on board computer, but the manual says you only get temperature without the OBC. You're missing "current speed" and "current consumption" (as the manual calls them).

Maybe you should ask in the MKI forum, or is yours particularly old (like 2002 or 2003), it may have been different back then.

 

Its when the engine makes unhappy sounds because its running to slow at too high a load.

 

Yeh, mine is an '03 Justa Cooper.

 

I couldn't say, we started with an 04.

 

The running total MPG computer calculation is EXTREMELY optimistic.
My S shows about 34 each time I gas up.
Yesterday I filled up and did the math in my head. 31 does not equal the 34 on the computer.
(Yes, I reset the OBC mileage guage as well as the trip odometer.)

AND the tank showed HALF FULL after 345 miles. It took 11 gallons.
Apparently I have a 20 gallon tank installed.

Don't trust the computer.
Fill er up at a regular mileage point.

 

The computer estimates are usually reasonable close for me, but I prefer the efficient driving method of accelerating fast and not braking for corners The MINI just likes being driven that way better.

 

It means that the engine doesn't have enough power at that rpm to cope with the load it is being required to do. This puts a great deal of stress on engine parts. Mid-20th Century cars would make certain noises when lugging. I'm not sure the MINI does.

I believe that the MCS will increase boost to try to make more power, which isn't good for mpg, and can be hard on the engine. This is why people were recommending the use of a ScanGaugeII to monitor MAP (manifold absolute pressure) or a boost gauge along with the instant mpg indicator.

You can change the tach readout from to instant mpg, but I prefer having it read ambient temp and using the ScanGaugeII for mpg, MAP, mph, and coolant temp. It has four simultaneous readouts that you choose from a variety of possible OBC data.

 

I use the mpg computer all the time, too, just to help me optimize my driving style. It's great. I also love being able to display this in the speedo along with the other info/settings available. I use the tach display for other stuff. For this reason I give a big to the radio/display controls being moved up to the speedo (where I can see and use it).