Anyone else think that a law mandating that all new cars be delivered with an instant MPG gauge would work wonders in lowering our oil consumption? Hybrid owners are obsessed with fuel efficiency because we get real-time feedback on how our driving affects FE. If everyone had this gauge, hybrid or not I feel that others would modify their driving styles for the better.

Before I bought my hybrid, I was your typical commuter - usually 10 miles over the speed limit and only getting about 13MPG. Now, I drive the speed limit 95% of the time and am genuinely concerned about increasing my mileage. Without the gauges giving me instant feedback, it would have been harder to make this change in driving style.

Any thoughts?

I have mixed thoughts.

1. Most people would not regard it as a tool: but purely an indication of "what their car gets"

2. Almost everyone has no idea what their car actually "gets". (Other than perhaps the sticker they tore off the window 3 years ago when it was new)

3. Additionally, if more folks found their new car's actual efficiency might cause a backlash against MFG's low efficiency fleets. (A good thing)
IE
"I bought this HCH and only get 35MPG" or:
"I bought this Malibu 4cyl and only get 19MPG" etc etc

4. We've all been stuck behind ignorant "efficient" drivers (Who brake going down hill, accelerate up hill and cause bottle-necks). Perhaps a gauge would be helpful in this case, Maybe not.

Our Grand Caravan #1 had a MPG gauge. The gauge was less relevant for reading efficiency than the clock was for measuring time. I drove 85MPH, tailgating, gassing, braking, gassing, braking. I didn't think it mattered very much. It was located out of view in the ceiling console and always read 14-16MPG so I just kept it off.

Like all tools, it takes effort and the will to use it. I think 90% of drivers choose to remain ignorant regardless.

A mandate that all cars be fitted with one?
Personally I'm split on that one. I'd favor an education system.

-Steve

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

I have to show most people that have it that they have it! Waste of government breath.

Ducit Amour Hybridae
Mark Smith
Master Certifited Technician
Tempus non reparabilis fugit
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."

Best Tank 35.0 MPG

It seems ridiculous to me to think it would be a bad idea. Knowledge is power.

i think the instantaneous reading as well as the tank reading would be useful, but make it reset the tank reading every time gas is added.

as far as people using it, just make it larger than other gauges. I think it should be required, but the DOT should add it or the EPA as a policy, not a law. There is too much red tape to pass a law, but the EPA or DOT could mandate it without all that.

I also think pressure gauges in the tires should be required with real time monitoring. Also air filter life time exceeded warnings, this could use pressure differential readings on each side of the filter. There are many things that can be done, we just dont have the will to do so.

Already done as of 2007 my

Ducit Amour Hybridae
Mark Smith
Master Certifited Technician
Tempus non reparabilis fugit
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."

Best Tank 35.0 MPG

The instant MPG set up in the Civic is ideal, right in your line of sight....I suspect many people would just flip it over to temp however, the truth is too depressing. I do think that this should me mandatory, at least if it was there and in plain sight, it might be used...I think the flucuating gauge rather than a number read out 16.5mpg would be more widely accepted as it would show graphicly how much mileage changes when you gas/brake/gas/brake.

I think it is an excellent idea (even if affected only half of the drivers) but it will never happen because the oil companies have so much influence in Washington D.C.

Less gas consumption means lower profit for them.

Need fewer troops to support.
Drive a hybrid.
Best tank 71.65 MPG.

Before this car I spent two years learning hypermiling on my 2004 HCH1.

I think a 50% helpful rate is being optomistic (sad, I know). I think the main reason it won't happen is because it adds COST to the vehicle. Some people won't want it, wouldn't use it, and would be pi**ed off that they had to pay for it. Enough of them, that the automakers themselves will argue against any such "requirement".

It IS a good idea to have one, though. I just don't think automakers want to include (and pass along) that cost in EVERY vehicle.

Steve

STOP terrorism - Drive a HYBRID

Vehicles:
350 miles a week ------------ 2006 HCH II, Magnetic Pearl, w/NAVI (born on May 25, 2006)
350 miles a month ---------- 2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
350 miles a year (for now) - 1986 Mercedes 560SL

I've been saying they should be mandatory since I got my civic in 2004 and having the constant mileage minder made me a slower driver. With all the electronic controls in modern cars, I can't imagine it would end up adding all that much to the price. And I think auto TPMs are a good idea, but this is at least as good, if not a better idea.