So how 'bout that Ecometer by Auto meter? - Page 3 - Toyota Yaris Forums

R2D2 · 06-11-2009, 09:23 PM

bronsin,

The idea of the ecometer is to give you instantaneous mpg both in number and in a graph that shows relative efficiency of your current mode of vehicle operation so you can tune your driving style for the best economy. It also has a digital tach, tracks you average mpg until reset (up to 300,000 miles!), and has a digital speedo function. See orangepeels informative post above for more features.

I'm certain this will help save gas-whether or not the avg mpg reading is reasonably accurate or not remains to be seen. So far I'd have to say it's looking pretty good. Either way I'll probably always calculate it out the old fashoined way, but it would be nice if it was close.

This gives me an easy to install digital tach without any permanent modification to the vehicle so it's already a good deal in my opinion without the other features. I have the AT so I really don't NEED a tach at all, but I've always had them and feel like somethings missing without one. If it helps me save gas and does a few other things too-bonus!

Stay tuned -there are a few of us trying these out and we'll let you guys know so you can hopefully make a reasonably well informed buying decision.

bronsin · 06-11-2009, 09:55 PM

I'll be listening. But it sounds like a glorified vacuum meter to me. I would like it if it measured the flow of gas in the gas line and compared it to the odometer.

ezhacker1 · 06-12-2009, 05:04 AM

nice bonus features. Keep the info coming.

orangepeels · 06-12-2009, 05:46 PM

Ive had the ecometer on my car for about half a tank. The average mpg on the ecometer said 38 mpg. When i filled up today, i divided total miles traveled on trip a by the amount of gas put in.... 35 mpg. Seeing as how 35 mpg was my set target on the ecometer, i think it has already improved my mpg's in just half a tank....before it my average mpg was 32-33 mpg. 35 mpg is an all new high for me.

I have reset trip A and the average mpg on the ecometer. I have also set my target mpg to 40 mpg. We shall see come next fill up =D.

Just some advice before anyone else decides to purchase this. The ecometer itself will not improve your mpg. In order to improve your fuel economy, you must use the ecometer to adjust your driving habits based on the graph on the gauge and the instantaneous mpg shown.

Also, while the digital tachometer was the selling point for me, i do not think i will be using it at all. The instantaneous mpg mode is a lot more appealing to me, now that i have had time to play with it. I do not base my shifts on engine speed(rpm), i have become used to shifting at certain speeds and its working out great.

Roxy1, since i havnt been using the tach mode on the ecometer i havnt been able to see what the RPM's are at when cruising at 60 or 70 mph. But while on the freeway today, i was cruising at 80 mph @ 5th gear, if i remember correctly the tach was reading 3.5, or 3500 rpm.

My car...
2008 yaris 3dr with the 5 speed manual.

edit: also, while cruising on the freeway on a downhill grade, with my foot off the gas the instantaneous mpg went all the way to 200 mpg...DFCO ftw?

ezhacker1 · 06-12-2009, 06:25 PM

does the memory keep track of avg. mpg, max rpm, max speed. even when the display isnt displaying that particular mode? Like im using inst. mpg, the avg. mpg will silently be tracking.

orangepeels · 06-12-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezhacker1

does the memory keep track of avg. mpg, max rpm, max speed. even when the display isnt displaying that particular mode? Like im using inst. mpg, the avg. mpg will silently be tracking.

...yes

ezhacker1 · 06-12-2009, 06:37 PM

the only thing that would make this thing perfect is to have check engine codes. Maybe even remaining fuel/miles

R2D2 · 06-12-2009, 09:39 PM

Hey orangepeels,

I'm in the same boat-I'm now so glued to the instantaneous mpg I hardly ever use the tach-but I like knowing it's there :)

Roxy1,

I ignored the ecograph a bit and did the best I could to get a tach reading at 60 and 70 today. Best I could tell in a heavy rain and traffic (AT in 4th with converter locked up) was 2970 @ 70 and about 2450 @ 60. I'll try again under better conditions when I get a chance. The tach should be dead on if I do my job correctly as it gets its rpm info right from the obd 2.

Now I see why ridge riding is such a popular hypermiling technique-tried it out today in the rain. This stuff is addicting.

R2

roxy1 · 06-13-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R2D2

Hey orangepeels,

I'm in the same boat-I'm now so glued to the instantaneous mpg I hardly ever use the tach-but I like knowing it's there :)

Roxy1,

I ignored the ecograph a bit and did the best I could to get a tach reading at 60 and 70 today. Best I could tell in a heavy rain and traffic (AT in 4th with converter locked up) was 2970 @ 70 and about 2450 @ 60. I'll try again under better conditions when I get a chance. The tach should be dead on if I do my job correctly as it gets its rpm info right from the obd 2.

Now I see why ridge riding is such a popular hypermiling technique-tried it out today in the rain. This stuff is addicting.

R2

thanks. i guess i was wondering if this and the scangauge would come up with the same rpm's. pretty close i think.

Sodium Duck · 06-13-2009, 02:33 PM

Sorry, I didn't see this post... whoops.

I made a thread this morning, it has a site selling it for $59 + shipping. For me shipping was $10, so $69 total.

Can't wait to get mine, I think I'll be mounting either in front of the clock (and remove the clock from the pod), or behind the steering wheel.

CTScott · 06-13-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodium Duck

Sorry, I didn't see this post... whoops.

I made a thread this morning, it has a site selling it for $59 + shipping. For me shipping was $10, so $69 total.

Can't wait to get mine, I think I'll be mounting either in front of the clock (and remove the clock from the pod), or behind the steering wheel.

For that price I think I'll have to order one from them (again)...

CKaelin · 06-13-2009, 04:38 PM

Is this not just like a scan guage but cheaper?

Sodium Duck · 06-13-2009, 05:51 PM

Kind of. The Scangauge II can do much more than this gauge. This is a very basic gauge for those only interested in fuel economy.

That Scangauge can clear codes, tell temps, etc. But it is more money.

orangepeels · 06-14-2009, 09:19 PM

finally got some time to take a pic...

if anyone wants me to scan the manual let me know.

Sodium Duck · 06-14-2009, 10:35 PM

I'd like to see it. Mine prolly won't be in for a while.

Cosworth · 06-18-2009, 10:06 AM

I just ordered one. Can't wait to try it out.

R2D2 · 06-18-2009, 09:05 PM

I filled up today. Avg fuel economy on ecometer read 42.1. Calculated the "old fashioned way"= 40.79. Pretty close, I think. In defense of the ecometer, I installed it after I had already driven some on this tank, so that may have affected the accuracy-I'll compare again next fill up (which will probably take a while). :) BTW, despite more city type driving than usual, this is my best tank so far by over 2 mpg.

orangepeels and others,

have you had any more opportunities to compare the avg. mpg to calculated mpg? Just curious- I think it will prove relatively close, with time. Thanks!

R2

YarisSedan · 06-18-2009, 09:48 PM

Well ive noticed with the ecometer it only calculates into its adverage while you are moving. It dosnt put into calculation the gas used when you are sitting in stop and go traffic and at stop lights. For example if you turned your ecometer on and drove on the freeway at 50mph and it shows your adverage at 60mpg. But then when you get home let the vehicle idle for 12 hours till your tank is empty and go fill up. Its not going to adverage 60mpg more like 2.

I can say though it does really well in helping train you to drive to the optimum fuel efficiency. I was getting about 28-32 adverage on my daily commute. Which consist of stop and go traffic driving. Now this fill up ive managed to hit 36.7 mpg. Which i never had. I am hopeing during the weekend when i go more freeway driving. I can make a adverage of 40mpg weekely. Since it will be a mixture. if i had a commute of almost all freeway i dont see it difficult of adveraging 50mpg. Even though i have a automatic sedan.

06-13-2009, 02:33 PM	#10
Sodium Duck ╚══════════RN Drives: 2008 Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Western Mass. Posts: 999	Sorry, I didn't see this post... whoops. I made a thread this morning, it has a site selling it for $59 + shipping. For me shipping was $10, so $69 total. Can't wait to get mine, I think I'll be mounting either in front of the clock (and remove the clock from the pod), or behind the steering wheel. __________________ 42.88

06-13-2009, 04:38 PM	#12
CKaelin Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5 speed Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Boxborough, MA Posts: 140	Is this not just like a scan guage but cheaper? __________________ My other ride's a Gixxer!

06-13-2009, 05:51 PM	#13
Sodium Duck ╚══════════RN Drives: 2008 Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Western Mass. Posts: 999	Kind of. The Scangauge II can do much more than this gauge. This is a very basic gauge for those only interested in fuel economy. That Scangauge can clear codes, tell temps, etc. But it is more money. __________________ 42.88

06-14-2009, 10:35 PM	#15
Sodium Duck ╚══════════RN Drives: 2008 Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Western Mass. Posts: 999	I'd like to see it. Mine prolly won't be in for a while. __________________ 42.88

06-11-2009, 09:23 PM	#1
R2D2 Crazy Oil Sniffer Drives: MM 09 Yaris 5 Dr LB "Click" Join Date: May 2009 Location: ME Posts: 498	bronsin, The idea of the ecometer is to give you instantaneous mpg both in number and in a graph that shows relative efficiency of your current mode of vehicle operation so you can tune your driving style for the best economy. It also has a digital tach, tracks you average mpg until reset (up to 300,000 miles!), and has a digital speedo function. See orangepeels informative post above for more features. I'm certain this will help save gas-whether or not the avg mpg reading is reasonably accurate or not remains to be seen. So far I'd have to say it's looking pretty good. Either way I'll probably always calculate it out the old fashoined way, but it would be nice if it was close. This gives me an easy to install digital tach without any permanent modification to the vehicle so it's already a good deal in my opinion without the other features. I have the AT so I really don't NEED a tach at all, but I've always had them and feel like somethings missing without one. If it helps me save gas and does a few other things too-bonus! Stay tuned -there are a few of us trying these out and we'll let you guys know so you can hopefully make a reasonably well informed buying decision.

06-11-2009, 09:55 PM	#2
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,792	I'll be listening. But it sounds like a glorified vacuum meter to me. I would like it if it measured the flow of gas in the gas line and compared it to the odometer.

06-12-2009, 05:04 AM	#3
ezhacker1 Drives: Decepticon - Ravage Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,464	nice bonus features. Keep the info coming.

06-12-2009, 05:46 PM	#4
orangepeels Drives: 2008 3 door LB Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 34	Ive had the ecometer on my car for about half a tank. The average mpg on the ecometer said 38 mpg. When i filled up today, i divided total miles traveled on trip a by the amount of gas put in.... 35 mpg. Seeing as how 35 mpg was my set target on the ecometer, i think it has already improved my mpg's in just half a tank....before it my average mpg was 32-33 mpg. 35 mpg is an all new high for me. I have reset trip A and the average mpg on the ecometer. I have also set my target mpg to 40 mpg. We shall see come next fill up =D. Just some advice before anyone else decides to purchase this. The ecometer itself will not improve your mpg. In order to improve your fuel economy, you must use the ecometer to adjust your driving habits based on the graph on the gauge and the instantaneous mpg shown. Also, while the digital tachometer was the selling point for me, i do not think i will be using it at all. The instantaneous mpg mode is a lot more appealing to me, now that i have had time to play with it. I do not base my shifts on engine speed(rpm), i have become used to shifting at certain speeds and its working out great. Roxy1, since i havnt been using the tach mode on the ecometer i havnt been able to see what the RPM's are at when cruising at 60 or 70 mph. But while on the freeway today, i was cruising at 80 mph @ 5th gear, if i remember correctly the tach was reading 3.5, or 3500 rpm. My car... 2008 yaris 3dr with the 5 speed manual. edit: also, while cruising on the freeway on a downhill grade, with my foot off the gas the instantaneous mpg went all the way to 200 mpg...DFCO ftw?

06-12-2009, 06:25 PM	#5
ezhacker1 Drives: Decepticon - Ravage Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,464	does the memory keep track of avg. mpg, max rpm, max speed. even when the display isnt displaying that particular mode? Like im using inst. mpg, the avg. mpg will silently be tracking.

06-12-2009, 06:37 PM	#7
ezhacker1 Drives: Decepticon - Ravage Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,464	the only thing that would make this thing perfect is to have check engine codes. Maybe even remaining fuel/miles

06-12-2009, 09:39 PM	#8
R2D2 Crazy Oil Sniffer Drives: MM 09 Yaris 5 Dr LB "Click" Join Date: May 2009 Location: ME Posts: 498	Hey orangepeels, I'm in the same boat-I'm now so glued to the instantaneous mpg I hardly ever use the tach-but I like knowing it's there :) Roxy1, I ignored the ecograph a bit and did the best I could to get a tach reading at 60 and 70 today. Best I could tell in a heavy rain and traffic (AT in 4th with converter locked up) was 2970 @ 70 and about 2450 @ 60. I'll try again under better conditions when I get a chance. The tach should be dead on if I do my job correctly as it gets its rpm info right from the obd 2. Now I see why ridge riding is such a popular hypermiling technique-tried it out today in the rain. This stuff is addicting. R2

06-14-2009, 09:19 PM	#14
orangepeels Drives: 2008 3 door LB Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 34	finally got some time to take a pic... if anyone wants me to scan the manual let me know.

06-18-2009, 10:06 AM	#16
Cosworth Drives: S sedan Join Date: May 2009 Location: MI Posts: 120	I just ordered one. Can't wait to try it out.

06-18-2009, 09:05 PM	#17
R2D2 Crazy Oil Sniffer Drives: MM 09 Yaris 5 Dr LB "Click" Join Date: May 2009 Location: ME Posts: 498	I filled up today. Avg fuel economy on ecometer read 42.1. Calculated the "old fashioned way"= 40.79. Pretty close, I think. In defense of the ecometer, I installed it after I had already driven some on this tank, so that may have affected the accuracy-I'll compare again next fill up (which will probably take a while). :) BTW, despite more city type driving than usual, this is my best tank so far by over 2 mpg. orangepeels and others, have you had any more opportunities to compare the avg. mpg to calculated mpg? Just curious- I think it will prove relatively close, with time. Thanks! R2

06-18-2009, 09:48 PM	#18
YarisSedan Drives: 08 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California - Bay Area Posts: 2,773	Well ive noticed with the ecometer it only calculates into its adverage while you are moving. It dosnt put into calculation the gas used when you are sitting in stop and go traffic and at stop lights. For example if you turned your ecometer on and drove on the freeway at 50mph and it shows your adverage at 60mpg. But then when you get home let the vehicle idle for 12 hours till your tank is empty and go fill up. Its not going to adverage 60mpg more like 2. I can say though it does really well in helping train you to drive to the optimum fuel efficiency. I was getting about 28-32 adverage on my daily commute. Which consist of stop and go traffic driving. Now this fill up ive managed to hit 36.7 mpg. Which i never had. I am hopeing during the weekend when i go more freeway driving. I can make a adverage of 40mpg weekely. Since it will be a mixture. if i had a commute of almost all freeway i dont see it difficult of adveraging 50mpg. Even though i have a automatic sedan.