What's that bar on the gauge cluster?

constantlehigh · Sep 17, 2009, 08:14 AM

Does anyone have any idea what is the function of the status bar on the display in the gauge cluster? I'm talking about the one that has 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 on it, with the bar fluctuating. I asked my dealer and he didn't have a response, and it's not in the manual. It seems to change at random as I drive. At first I thought it was the percent open throttle, but thats not it b/c I've noticed it changing when I'm at a constant speed. I'd like to know what the heck it is so I can utilize it if its useful, but mostly I want to know because I've always wondered and it drives me nuts not knowing. Thanks!

Maladjusted · Sep 17, 2009, 08:36 AM

in for an answer

lancer0220 · Sep 17, 2009, 09:08 AM

its your fuel economy in real time. mpg

constantlehigh · Sep 17, 2009, 10:41 AM

hmm, so what exactly does the 0-100 scale mean? I mean I see the bar fluctuate anywhere from 0 to 100 so it can't mean mpg....does it mean how efficient you're driving? For example, if the bar is resting at 50 does that mean I'm currently being 50% fuel efficient?

EngRWW33 · Sep 17, 2009, 10:55 AM

mpg

yitzac1990 · Sep 17, 2009, 12:04 PM

mpg...think about it. it goes to 100 when you are moving, then take your foot off the gas because technically you are still traveling, but using very little to no gas to do it...i.e. inifinite gas mileage lol

lancer0220 · Sep 17, 2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by constantlehigh

For example, if the bar is resting at 50 does that mean I'm currently being 50% fuel efficient?

dont mean to be a dick but.

constantlehigh · Sep 17, 2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancer0220

dont mean to be a dick but.

how is that dumb of me to question it? its a stupid gauge that is confusing, why put a 0-100 scale for mpg? it just makes no sense to me, I don't see how thats useful. If you're coasting in neutral what you're saying is this gauge will show 100, not to suggest you're getting 100mpg but rather "infinite" mpg? DUMB. They should have made this a digital numeric readout, not a bar on a 0-100 scale, poor design engineering IMO.

lancer0220 · Sep 17, 2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by constantlehigh

how is that dumb of me to question it? its a stupid gauge that is confusing, why put a 0-100 scale for mpg? it just makes no sense to me, I don't see how thats useful. If you're coasting in neutral what you're saying is this gauge will show 100, not to suggest you're getting 100mpg but rather "infinite" mpg? DUMB. They should have made this a digital numeric readout, not a bar on a 0-100 scale, poor design engineering IMO.

UMM there is a digital numeric readout that shows your AVG MPG, the bar is just there to show your actual mpg in real time. it would be dumb to have that as a numeric readout cuz it would be like 15 17 15.5 15.9 19 19.2 19.4 constantly changing. its a bar read out to give you an idea of your real time MPG where as teh AVG is what you really care about.

yitzac1990 · Sep 17, 2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by constantlehigh

how is that dumb of me to question it? its a stupid gauge that is confusing, why put a 0-100 scale for mpg? it just makes no sense to me, I don't see how thats useful. If you're coasting in neutral what you're saying is this gauge will show 100, not to suggest you're getting 100mpg but rather "infinite" mpg? DUMB. They should have made this a digital numeric readout, not a bar on a 0-100 scale, poor design engineering IMO.

Toyota prius' have digital numeric readouts of real time MPG.....when you let off the throttle and coast, it goes to 99.9 mpg......

lancer0220 · Sep 17, 2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yitzac1990

Toyota prius' have digital numeric readouts of real time MPG.....when you let off the throttle and coast, it goes to 99.9 mpg......

exactly a bar moving from

> to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> doesnt look as dumb as going from

0mpg to 99.9mpg

cRc`22 · Sep 17, 2009, 03:43 PM

push the Info button til its not on ur screen and keep driving. the bar is pointless.. but yes it is MPG

NERO_NOVA · Sep 17, 2009, 07:22 PM

... I figured this out when I test drove it... just saying
BTW IMO it helps for someone like me with a lead foot. It helps me monitor my driving habit and when i have it up i pay attention to it to help get better fuel economy. When I don't have it up I usually get poorer gas mileage due to the fact Im not really paying attention or care. It helps on highway drives to map out a good cruise speed getting max mpgs. IMO the only flaw in the cluster is digital MPH readout

Dont need it but i like it

s21197 · Sep 19, 2009, 03:35 PM

its instantaneous mpg and the impreza's have those in a digital readout and when ur driving its just stupid. the damn thing is changing every half second

xcmtnbiker82 · Sep 19, 2009, 06:18 PM

I find it to be helpful because I also have a lead foot. I usually get +3 mpg when monitoring it on my commute to work. And that is not changing my driving style to much. If I really go for mpg I can easily get +6mpg on my commute.