diy mpg gauge

[sonyhome]

Hypermiling User Interface idea:

I think one of the useful things for hypermiling not done by SG2 that this software could do is compute MPG by speeds.

Here's the idea:

Create buckets of speeds, say:
0MPH, 1~5MPH, 5~40MPH, 40~65MPH, 65~100MPH.

For each bucket, compute
- GPH
- average time spent in that bucket
- distance travelled in that bucket
- MPG (when applicable)

Also compute overall MPG.

Now say you're driving in the city, with some highway.

At first you drive normally, and check your buckets, see time spent in each and what part of your driving contributes to your overall MPG.

Now start using hypermiling techniques that apply to specific buckets.

For example, if you see you spend most time on stop lights (the bucket 0MPH will tell you how much gas it costs you), then you know you must turn of your engine at lights to improve MPG.

If the profile shows it costs little gas though it may seem like a long time while you drive, you know you don't need to risk damaging your starter and look for another solution.

Say you spend your gas in the 5~40MPH buchet. Then you can try to focus on gliding.

If it's at highway speeds, then you can try to use drafting instead, and maybe gliding.

The time spent per bucket can also tell you something as you try different techniques, like gliding causes you to hit more red lights, so you need to be more aggressive.