Compass Or Trip Computer?

[Ty]

Um, I think you are missing the point. The real time average and instant MPG along with the moving over/under graph allows a driver to modify their behavior in real time and learn where and how to improve MPG. Tough to do that at the pump after the gas is gone.



OBD1 (On-Board Diagnostics) and OBDII are each connectors and families of serial communication standards. Both are two-way. OBDII uses CAN, ISO, PWM, and VPW communication protocols for sending serial data through the OBD connector. They all can be sent over USB or BT if those ports imitate serial ports (see ubiquitous ELM327 adapters and clones on feeBay and everywhere). But Elio would be better off sticking with the standard OBD connector and interface and let the buyer decide what interface adapter they want to use.

Elio has suggested somewhat offhand they may go with ODBII but cripple it so it's one-way only for "security". OBD1 is an obsolete technology so very unlikely they would use that. It would cost more money since it's obsolete.

Lol. I use an ELM327... easy peasy.

 

[Ty]

I print a receipt and write the mileage on the receipt. Adds about 10 seconds to the fill-up.

Then when I'm doing paperwork at home I add it to a spreadsheet I keep for all my vehicles. It automatically calculates delta miles, MPG per tank, lifetime average MPG, average miles per tank, total miles, total fuel cost, and other statistics. Takes about 30 seconds to open the sheet and enter a new fill-up. That's how I know the lifetime average MPG for my RX-8 is 17.9 MPG. (And that I've spent thousands and thousands and thousands of $ on my beloved gasoline!)

And of course, if you don't want to do that, there's an app for that:
http://linkesoft.com/automobil/

... and I use "fuel log" yet another app... I just enter my data into it and it tracks all kinds of costs in including repairs and oil changes... it can give a cost per mile driven figure and shows best, worst, and overall average fuel consumption. Very handy.

 

[CheeseheadEarl]

... and I use "fuel log" yet another app... I just enter my data into it and it tracks all kinds of costs in including repairs and oil changes... it can give a cost per mile driven figure and shows best, worst, and overall average fuel consumption. Very handy.

Been using that for a couple months. I only use it for fuel, repairs/maintenance I keep track of separately. Works good for what I want.

 

[Jim H]

I love all these display options but I want my Elio to be self sufficient. I DO NOT want to have to rely on a cellphone, laptop, iPad, or some other external device to get basic performance information, Keep it simple and keep the costs down. All these other devices must be after market options for those who want them.

 

[Ekh]

Car and Driver once had an article about a bunch of different "fuel mileage improvements" which included magnets, cyclone intakes, etc. They found that the single thing that actually improved gas mileage was a simple display showing instantaneous mileage. It seems drivers are the crux. Bluetooth phone plus $12 obdii bluetooth sensor plus "Torque" app will get you a very nice suite of gauges, one of which is instantaneous mileage. Of course, the Elio has to have obdii for it to work...

So.... let's agitate for obd II. I agree that real-time tracking helps drivers modify their driving to improve mileage, and that the notebook version is good for long-term diagnostics (probably outmoded by the car's computer.). Besides, think how much fun it would be to go down a long hill at 65 mpg averaging 95 mpg for that stretch .... wow!