Instantaneous Mileage readout

[DBond]

It seems Dodge turned off the instant mileage readout on the overhead computer (around '03?) I would like to have that feature in my '05.

I know the average mpg is there, and I could keep reseting it to get about the same thing, but I want both.



Does anybody know if this can be enabled? Maybe a ECM flash or jumper in the overhead computer?



Has anyone connected an older overhead computer with the instant mileage feature to a newer truck to see if that works? (if the connections are even compatible)



Can a scan tool hooked up to DRB or datalink read out this information?

 

[p-Bar]

I'm with you , I would love to have real time MPG. I bet it's on the computer.

 

[TSpecht]

I would love to know how to do this as well.

 

[2Gen3Gen]

I would thing they could flash the computer. My new Chrysler Sebring convertible has that feature and it is great! Coasting down a very long down hill of I-5, I can get 80 mpg! (until I touch the gas). I also had the same feature on my 1997 Lincoln Mark 8. I think Ill ask on my next oil change.

 

[JHardwick]

Isn't that just like a throttle position read-out?



I remember I think it was a '77 Monte Carlo had a gage the same size as and right beside the speedo. It had a needle that would sweep probaby 270* from "economy" to "poor economy" or something like that ... ... ... ..... it was just a glorified vacuum gage.

 

[RMarkey]

I just watch my boost gauge, if it's low, 10 or lower, I figure I'm not to hard into it and I'm hopefully running about 14 mpg, if I'm running 20 I should forget about mpg(maybe high 12s), if I'm at 30 (low 12s/high 11s), I should already know that cause I'm pretty much on the floor already. That's all if I don't have any feeling in my foot and can't tell how hard im pushing, or can't see the smoke in my mirror!

 

[klenger]

My 01. 5 had it, and I miss it too, but I'm pretty sure that the 3rd gens were redesigned with this feature left out. I suspect that it caused too many complaints from people who expected to get 30 MPG average if the display read 30 MPG for a moment. Going down the passes in Colorado with the RV in tow, mine would read 99 MPG for 10 -15 miles.

 

[GWBourne]

my 04. 5 does it, just hit the reset button as you drive and it will bounc around all the time.

Grant

 

[JHardwick]

Going down the passes in Colorado with the RV in tow, mine would read 99 MPG for 10 -15 miles.

So then whats the point of having it

 

[DBond]

my 04. 5 does it, just hit the reset button as you drive and it will bounc around all the time.

Grant

yeah, I could keep reseting it to get about the same thing, but I want both. I would like to use the average for a long trip, and I don't want to reach up to hit the reset all the time.

 

[klenger]

So then whats the point of having it

The 99 MPG was accurate. The truck was not using any fuel while going down the passes. Maybe not quite accurate, ... the milage would have actually been higher than 99, but that's as high as the readout goes.

 

[JHardwick]

The 99 MPG was accurate. The truck was not using any fuel while going down the passes. Maybe not quite accurate, ... the milage would have actually been higher than 99, but that's as high as the readout goes.

I guess I still don't understand what the purpose is.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"I guess I still don't understand what the purpose is. "



WELL, the purpose is, to be able under differeg loads and grades, to be able to adjust driving to comphensate for those variations for best economy - it's pretty nice with 10,000 lbs. in tow to be able to find which speed will deliver the best fuel economy vs travel speed. Another use, is as a diagnostic tool - if you have paid attention to fuel consumption figures over a known route and terrain - and all of a sudden see significant variation in economy, it sorta alerts you something has changed...



Yeah, and sorta like an oil pressure guage too - would you rather have an "average PSI" over the last 300 miles - or know what it is RIGHT NOW? :-laf :-laf



I use the instant readout on my '02 pretty often...

 

[AKAMAC]

Well said Gary!

 

[JHardwick]

"I guess I still don't understand what the purpose is. "



WELL, the purpose is, to be able under differeg loads and grades, to be able to adjust driving to comphensate for those variations for best economy - it's pretty nice with 10,000 lbs. in tow to be able to find which speed will deliver the best fuel economy vs travel speed. Another use, is as a diagnostic tool - if you have paid attention to fuel consumption figures over a known route and terrain - and all of a sudden see significant variation in economy, it sorta alerts you something has changed...



Yeah, and sorta like an oil pressure guage too - would you rather have an "average PSI" over the last 300 miles - or know what it is RIGHT NOW? :-laf :-laf



I use the instant readout on my '02 pretty often...

So do you look at the instant MPG readout to tell you how hard you are on the go-pedal? Is that it? I'm trying to understand here

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"So do you look at the instant MPH readout to tell you how hard you are on the go-pedal? Is that it? I'm trying to understand here"



OH, I think you understand pretty well...



But if you really don't like or want that feature, well, different strokes for different folks! Oo.



Besides, you don't have it on your truck anyway - so no worries!