ScanGauge folks: question for you

[hampyoung]

For those of you with a scan gauge, can you or have you done any tests to see if the gas useage is different with a passenger?
You'd have to do it on the same type of terrain at a constant speed and with the same amount of fuel. Sort of like: "would you sit here while I drive up this hill. Now get out while I drive up it again!"
I'm just curious


Hamp

[blackbeagle]

I'm a new Scan Gauge user so I'm not an expert on this but I'll tell you what I've found out. Once you plug in the SG, it makes reading every 2 seconds from the car based on speed, wind, drag, throttle, etc. and gives you a MPG reading. So, basically, when you're driving, you'll see changes in the MPG from 32, 36, 32, 46, 59, 87, 100, 31, 25, etc. all within a few miles stretch.

It is NOT a constant number like you would think because of the 'outside' factors mentioned above. Therefore, it would be harder to gauge the MPG with an additional 140-200lb in it. I suppose you can run tests and chart the results. Unfortunately, conditions are never the same where I drive from one minute to another.

[Dave777]

Originally Posted by hampyoung

For those of you with a scan gauge, can you or have you done any tests to see if the gas useage is different with a passenger?
You'd have to do it on the same type of terrain at a constant speed and with the same amount of fuel. Sort of like: "would you sit here while I drive up this hill. Now get out while I drive up it again!"
I'm just curious


Hamp

No need to do any tests on this one.

If you add 10% to your weight, will it take more energy to walk, run, bike, swim? Of course it will.

[Dave777]

Originally Posted by blackbeagle

I'm a new Scan Gauge user so I'm not an expert on this but I'll tell you what I've found out. Once you plug in the SG, it makes reading every 2 seconds from the car based on speed, wind, drag, throttle, etc. and gives you a MPG reading. So, basically, when you're driving, you'll see changes in the MPG from 32, 36, 32, 46, 59, 87, 100, 31, 25, etc. all within a few miles stretch.

Blackbeagle, you're only seeing those kind of wild MPG numbers because you're looking at the MPG on the GAUGE screen, where it will indeed change wildly with very small changes of throttle position. That's why I choose NOT to make the MPG reading one of my four gauge selections.

A much better way to judge your MPG is this:
HOME
TRIP
CURRENT

Then, when at a steady speed on a level road, select RESET and the CURRENT MPG will start to do a cumulative calculation. After a minute or two it becomes quite accurate. Then do it again at a different speed, or load or whatever parameter you choose to change, and note the difference.

If you have a nice long level road where you can do this unhindered by other traffic you'll see that the most efficient speed is around 50 MPH, and MPG suffers dramatically above 60-65 MPH.

[hampyoung]

Dave,
So grab some 200 lb guy and drive him down the street; then kick him out (OK, bring him back to where you started) and drive down the street again and tell us what you found.
I know it will take more energy ** that's a given. I'm curious if it shows up in the MPG to any measurable amount.

Hamp

[Dave777]

Originally Posted by hampyoung

Dave,
So grab some 200 lb guy and drive him down the street; then kick him out (OK, bring him back to where you started) and drive down the street again and tell us what you found.
I know it will take more energy ** that's a given. I'm curious if it shows up in the MPG to any measurable amount.

Hamp

It depends of course on what you're measuring with and how long a course you measure over. Drive 1 mile back and forth on a flat road, one would probably not see the difference with the ScanGauge. A 300 mile trip would likely clearly show a difference, but it would be impossible to do it twice identically.