Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
Enjoying my hybrid
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 34
From: Sacramento, CA
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
To have that much of a difference, I have a feeling you got some "bonus" gas from the dealer. In other words, it was probably a bit over-filled when you picked it up, whereas when you filled it yourself, I imagine you just filled to the first click. So you actually burned more gas during your first tank than what you filled back up with. However, I think you will find (with this next tank), that the computer is about 2 mpg lower than calculated. I always use calculated for adding to the database.
'06 HCH Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 39
From: NC
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
Originally Posted by ShawnS
To have that much of a difference, I have a feeling you got some "bonus" gas from the dealer. In other words, it was probably a bit over-filled when you picked it up, whereas when you filled it yourself, I imagine you just filled to the first click. So you actually burned more gas during your first tank than what you filled back up with. However, I think you will find (with this next tank), that the computer is about 2 mpg lower than calculated. I always use calculated for adding to the database.
Should I just start entering my mpg from the 2nd tank forward and not count my first tank?
Enjoying my hybrid
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 34
From: Sacramento, CA
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
Maybe you can wait until you calculate the next tank and see how big a difference you see. If it is a large difference, leave out the first tank if you want. Over the long haul, the little difference of your first tank won't have much impact on your overall mpg (as JordanCS pointed out). If I had to guess, I bet your next tank will come in around 44mpg (calculated), assuming your commute is similar to your first tank. Just a guess.... Keep us posted!
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 351
From: Deep in the heart of Florida
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
The display on my '05 is usually 2-3 mpg over actual; occasionally slightly under. The wife's '06, OTOH, has been a bit below actual so far.
Thread Starter
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Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20
From: Newport, Virginia
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
My computer is (despite the occasional oddball reading, either high or low) is generally staying about 8% higher than my actual calculated mileage. It typically shows in the neighborhood of 48-49, while my calculated average (this is over many tanks of gas) has been running in the neighborhood of 45-47.
Note that I live in a very mountainous area, so I'm not doing as well as a lot of folks who live in the flat lands do. On a recent trip to NC, I averaged 52.4 for the tank (calculated), while my computer said 50.1 for the same tank. Always take the computer's ideas with a grain of salt.
Butch
Note that I live in a very mountainous area, so I'm not doing as well as a lot of folks who live in the flat lands do. On a recent trip to NC, I averaged 52.4 for the tank (calculated), while my computer said 50.1 for the same tank. Always take the computer's ideas with a grain of salt.
Butch
06 HCH Opal Blue Pearl
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 65
From: Georgetown, Texas (Austin Area)
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
Originally Posted by ButchVA
Am I the only one whose computer mileage readout is all over the friggin map compared to actual mileage? I just filled up this afternoon, and despite the computer saying 50.3 for this tank, I actually calculated 42.7 (a *HUGE* difference to my way of thinking). The tank *immediately* prior, the computer showed 48.2, and I calculated 50.1! What gives? I know there is usually a discrepancy (mine has averaged 8%), but the computer almost *always* reads higher than the actual calculated. How can it be so variable when I'm doing the *exact* same driving in the *exact* same conditions? Nothing changed from one tank to the next. Same gas station, same pump, same gas (presumably), same routes to and from school & clinicals, same everything. Wildly different results. The scientist in me is perplexed.
Butch
Butch
They replaced the odometer and now its within 1/2 mpg of actual. Very happy. Too bad the experience of having it changed out wasn't so great. Now it goes up to maybe the low 50's at best...but thats ok, its reading correctly now. With more miles on the tank...it settles into around 48-50 mpg.
Bob
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
It's been under by 1 or 2 miles the past 4 or 5 fillups. I tend to stop
after the first click of the pump. So I figure about 1/4 to 1/2 gallon or less could fill it to the top. It a good enough approximation with me.
It's cool with me. Considering I went from 24 MPG with my older commute vehicle to the 50+ MPG I'm getting now and the sheer fun of driving the hybrid. I'm pretty content and not worried about the gas calculation. As long as the mileage odometer is correct and the NASCAR wannabes are able to pass me safely (burning up the gas and then grumbling about the price of gas when they stop at the pump, tsk tsk) I'm good to go. I have to say the the Civic Hybrid has given me a better outlook on driving.
after the first click of the pump. So I figure about 1/4 to 1/2 gallon or less could fill it to the top. It a good enough approximation with me.
It's cool with me. Considering I went from 24 MPG with my older commute vehicle to the 50+ MPG I'm getting now and the sheer fun of driving the hybrid. I'm pretty content and not worried about the gas calculation. As long as the mileage odometer is correct and the NASCAR wannabes are able to pass me safely (burning up the gas and then grumbling about the price of gas when they stop at the pump, tsk tsk) I'm good to go. I have to say the the Civic Hybrid has given me a better outlook on driving.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 609
From: New Mexico
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
My computer data is sometimes high, sometimes low, but always off compared to the calculation, by up to 2 mpg or so. If you track overall mileage, after 5 or 10 tanks these little inconsistencies have a negligible impact on your lifetime mileage, so I really don't worry about it much. Computer inaccuracies, pumping inconsistencies, it's all part of the game. No individual measurement is going to give an accurate overall picture, so keep some big picture data and you'll find that these minor differences are insignificant over time.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 713
Re: Sigh... actual vs. computer mileage
It's actually almost 2 gallons to fill up from the first click to the filler neck.
