IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

How accurate is your trip computer on MPG?

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Old 06-26-10, 07:51 PM
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MBTC
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Default How accurate is your trip computer on MPG?

In my previous car (Maxima), I always found the trip computer to be almost honest, but about 1.5 MPG on the optimistic side whenever I did my own consumption vs miles calculations.

Has anyone experimented to see how accurate the IS trip computer is? It sort of behooves a car maker to "round up" (hehe) and make the mileage look better than it is (because you'll report MPG to friends/family/coworkers/internet forums etc) , so I always compare it to my own math.

I don't take delivery of my IS until Monday so I can't really do it yet obviously.
Old 06-26-10, 09:39 PM
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svntwosix
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I've always found it to be just a little optimistic. I would say around 2 - 3 mpg above average.
Old 06-26-10, 09:42 PM
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Fizzboy7
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Mine is slightly optimistic. But not by much.
Old 06-27-10, 05:33 AM
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ecr527
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I test mine periodically and it's pretty accurate. Mine is never off more than 1-2 MPG.
Old 06-27-10, 06:26 AM
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Bichon
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Mine is about 1 to 1.5 MPG pessimistic. Calculated MPG has always been higher than the tank average.
Old 06-27-10, 05:19 PM
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ABC
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1 - 2mpg here when i test it.
Old 06-27-10, 05:36 PM
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MBTC
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Originally Posted by MrMut
1 - 2mpg here when i test it.
Optimistic?
Old 06-27-10, 05:46 PM
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Toymota
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My trip computer is around 2 mpg higher than what I calculate.
Old 06-27-10, 06:30 PM
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ajmtbm
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my actual MPG that i record is usually about 1.5 or so mpg less than what the car thinks.
Old 06-27-10, 09:09 PM
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ABC
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Originally Posted by MBTC
Optimistic?
Yup... sorry, should have said that
Old 06-28-10, 01:36 PM
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AMSPHAN
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Mine is always 1-2 MPG lower than what I calculate.
Old 06-28-10, 02:08 PM
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Snubbles
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Doesnt it depends on how you drive.. it will adjust itself if needed, correct me if im wrong
Old 06-28-10, 02:40 PM
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Bichon
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Originally Posted by Snubbles
Doesnt it depends on how you drive.. it will adjust itself if needed, correct me if im wrong
No, mine has been consistently around 1.5 MPG pessimistic since I got the car 4.5 years ago. There is some slight variability depending on how much you fill the tank after the pump stops (when doing the manual calculation), but over the long haul the error seems very consistent.

By the way, I think I must have the only IS where the trip computer reads a worse MPG than a manual calculation. It seems that practically everyone else sees the opposite.
Old 06-28-10, 07:35 PM
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vdubturbo
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Mine just told me I got 31 MPG driving between DC and Philly... considering it's an IS350, I think it is optimistic... but I do like seeing that number on there

If there's any truth to that number I'd be very excited... if I drove at a more reasonable pace I don't see why I couldn't squeeze another mile or two out of it.
Old 06-28-10, 08:27 PM
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lobuxracer
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It was exactly this accurate on my IS350:



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