I don't have the computer in my car. The only way to get an accurate number is the way I said.

 

Ah---well, the computer in ours is actually quite accurate. It works out to be good enough that I'll never write the numbers down again.

I'm curious why you think the computer numbers are "worthless"?

 

I've seen the same computer in other Fords and they just give you an estimate based on what is going on at the time. They aren't going to give you an accurate number over the course of a tank of gas. There have been many threads on this subject in numerous forums. If the computer's numbers are good enough for you then so be it. But they aren't an accurate gauge of your fuel economy and I'd never take those numbers seriously.

 

Well, I've read a bunch of threads about the Mustang computers, and far as I can recall, they were all good!

It doesn't give just an instantaneous read---it's cumulative over the whole tank. So, by the end of the tank, it's actually really good. It gives you an updated readout of the gallons (or liters) of gasoline consumed, the miles traveled, and even estimates how many more miles you can go. It's quite accurate through the course of tank. I've checked it. Given the reality that you don't have a computer, I'm a bit surprised at your response. I'm used to doing my calculations in microliters and picomoles, so I think I can give a pretty good evaluation of the 'stang computer

I'm not so sure why you're inclined to not believe me, but it's Christmas so I'm happy to drop it (even though you're wrong on this one jimp!

 

Perhaps I am wrong. Merry Christmas!

 

I filled up on the way home from work last night, and figured up my mileage by hand, and it was pretty much dead on with the computer. That said, I zero-ed out the computer (total gallons used, trip, mpg) and I'll track mileage with both the computer and my own calculations. The car's computer, as the above poster said, is going to be more of an overall tank's mpg, but...that's all I want, cause I only ever figure mileage for a full tank fill up anyways.


And yes: Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

 

Wooohooo! Yesterday I got lucky and snagged an Xbox360 for the kids. Indeed, it's going to be a good Xmas here! Waiting for the kids to fall asleep so Santa can come

Merry Christmas to my 'stang friends!
:rock:

 

dad!!
its me!! your long lost mustang driving son!

 

I have to disagree. I just bought an '06 Escape and I've been carefully checking the mileage on paper since I bought it and the computer has always been within a tenth or so of what I get.

 

5k on the odometer

over the new year weekend i burned a tank in 3 days with a combo of city and highway ..this is long island so it sucks either way but i got 18.9 on the computer but when i did it on a calculator i came up with 19.9mpg
=p

yay!

using nothing but BP gas and inflated the tires to 35psi from 25 at factory

 

Well...I have GT take off wheels and tires. I guess the tires were at 25 when I got them, I never checked. After this thread started I checked them and put them all at 38-40 at the suggestion of one of the posters. I was getting 15 in the city, my last tank I got 21 with city and highway driving. I'll check my next tank but I'm guessing my mileage will go up! Thanks to whoever suggested that! I've always been bad about checking tire pressure, from now on I'll be more vigilante.

 

My gas mileage started to improve around 10,000 miles. On a recent road trip to Vancouver from Edmonton the computer was showing just over 28 mpg. Edmonton to Vancouver is about 800 miles. You should change the oil every 3000 miles.

 

I have a V-6, manual tranny, and I keep my stock tires at 35 psi. All of my driving is city driving and I am lucky if I can drive over 40 mph for any stretch of road. I very seldom go over 3,500 rpms. I have about 5K on my car and I have never gotten over 17 mpg!

In search of better mileage I have recently installed a K&N high performance replacement air filter. My throttle response has improved, the car runs smoother and sounds throatier; I am now averaging about 14 mpg (wow, I could of had a V-8!) :angry:

I have formulated a plan, however. According to the Federal Government, if I regularly check the air in my tires, I could improve my gas mileage up to 10%. That would get me to 15.4 mpg. If I avoid "jack-rabbit" starts, I could improve another 10-20%. That would put me at 18.48 mpg. If I make sure that my car is regularly tuned, I could improve another 10-20%, which would put me at 22.18 mpg. By using energy conserving motor oil, I could improve another 5% to 23.28 mpg. Eliminating dead weight is an excellent way to improve gas mileage. So if I make my wife take the bus, I could gain another 10-20% and improve to 27.93 mpg! (Now were talking!) Improved aerodynamics is another way to greatly improve fuel efficiency. So if I shave my head and stop sticking my arm out the window, to flip-off the cops, I could improve another 10-20% to 33.51 mpg!! Finally, we all know that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. So if I gave up drinking . . . Oh heck, 33 mpg would be good enough, wouldn't it?

 

EGADS MAN! Ya can't sacrifice drinking for the good mileage! That's going one step too far!