Scangague II in Smart

gabe1475 · 10-08-2009, 06:08 PM

Yesterday my smart only had 100miles on it, but I could not wait until the first fillup to find out the mpg, so I took a quick stop at gas station. I almost fell back when I did the computation and realized I only got 31mpg (I hope this is an error - like the guy at the dealership was saving a few bucks and forgot to fill up properly, I was getting 33 in my nissan sentra). My wife told me to calm down, so I did what any logical person would do, I placed an order for a scangague II so I could figure out what the f**k happened.

I will be picking it up tomorrow, but not sure if I should I should use the regular tank size of 8.7 Gal or should I also include the Reverve tank of 1.3 Gal for a total of 10 Gal. Any thoughts? Also any tips in getting the max other than turning off my AC. If all else fails I may have to remove the passenger seat.

tvengineer · 10-08-2009, 06:28 PM

Don't pannic... you have to average a few tanks before you get anywhere near accurate readings..

I regularly only get aroung 31mpg... but my commute is the worst possible situation.. only 2 miles each way with numerous stops and starts..
in summer with the A/C on.. I feel 31mpg is pretty good....

sure.. lots of people say " I get XX (more than my smart) in my Honda..." (or whatever). but do they really????
Many people only check their millage on a highway trip.. then assume they get that millage all the time..
I know for a fact.. that I never payed this close attention to my millage on my previous car (Miata).... but would have assumed that I was getting around 25mpg on my daily commute...
I bet that, had I checked the Miata as closely as I do the smart, I would have been only getting like 15mpg with my short and stop / start commute...

so.. by every measure.. I am getting very low millage for a smart (compared to others on this forum).. but based on my drive.. I think I am doing pretty well...

Louis

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabe1475

Yesterday my smart only had 100miles on it, but I could not wait until the first fillup to find out the mpg, so I took a quick stop at gas station. I almost fell back when I did the computation and realized I only got 31mpg (I hope this is an error - like the guy at the dealership was saving a few bucks and forgot to fill up properly, I was getting 33 in my nissan sentra). My wife told me to calm down, so I did what any logical person would do, I placed an order for a scangague II so I could figure out what the f**k happened.

I will be picking it up tomorrow, but not sure if I should I should use the regular tank size of 8.7 Gal or should I also include the Reverve tank of 1.3 Gal for a total of 10 Gal. Any thoughts? Also any tips in getting the max other than turning off my AC. If all else fails I may have to remove the passenger seat.

Bum-bling-B · 10-08-2009, 06:28 PM

Give it time. If your Sentra was getting 33 than the Fortwo will get better.

What did that Sentra get on it's FIRST tank? Now here's for the catch. You said it was the first fillup. Stealerships are notorious for leaving cars idling for very long periods. That first fillup is not a good gauge at all.

Sooo, take your next tank's mileage, then the two after that, then divide those three to get a good idea of what you are getting.

Also join Fuelly and take a few minutes after each fillups to keep track of your mileage to get an idea of your lifetime mileage.

Report back here in a few days after your next fillup to tell us how it is then. Around 2,000 miles or so the car will start "loosening up" and breaking in.

jetfuel · 10-08-2009, 06:31 PM

..gabe ...welcome to the asylum...
...a new engine will get better as time goes by...
...way too early to tell...average mpg after a fw fill ups..
...and please don't poke the bears with the tank capacity issue..

jetfuel....8.7 gal and out of here....in a hurry

forestacademy · 10-08-2009, 06:33 PM

I would love to help you but you have opened so many cans of warms in one post, its like you have been watching for years and knew just what buttons to push.

Issues here.
How many miles on your smart
Have you been running the AC on high
You can't determine MPG in one small fill up because of pump shut off variables.
The Scanguage will let you know what you are doing to make your MPG's go down.

And here is the basic advice on the gas tank size. Run it down to the last bar and look for a gas station. One person reported running out just as it hit 0.0 so don't try for the imaginary 10 gallon tank.

It appears their is a slight translation issue with the word 'reserve' in the Manual

mvaldes · 10-08-2009, 06:39 PM

This should get you started:
ScanGauge II 4 451 Setup
ScanGauge II Setup...
ScanGaugeII XGauge Commands
PS Heed jetfuel's advice and STAY AWAY from the tank size question!

smart fortimo · 10-08-2009, 06:44 PM

Does SG support tenths of gallons now? Mine is whole gallons only, so I have to choose between using 8 or 9 for my tank size.

gabe1475 · 10-08-2009, 06:49 PM

I will not ask the question again. How about a poll - just post what you use for the SGII.

NCC1701 · 10-08-2009, 06:50 PM

My previous car was a 2006 Sentra, with which I got 25-26 MPG. I have a heavy foot and that alone could easily explain the difference between my mileage and your 33 MPG. Once the smart's engine is broken in, if you drive your smart as you apparently drove your Sentra, you should be in the 40+ MPG club. FWIW, my Sentra S had the 1.8.

Bum-bling-B · 10-08-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabe1475

I will not ask the question again. How about a poll - just post what you use for the SGII.

In both my Scangauges - rounded up to 9 gallons. Never had a problem as the most fuel I've put in was something like 8.8 gallons.....and I lived to tell about it.