Nissan's new models to get fuel efficiency gauges
As part of the Nissan Green Program 2010, the Japanese carmaker will be adding fuel efficiency gauges to all of their new models over the next few years. The first US models to get the new gauges are the Infinity G35 and Nissan Altima. The Altima Hybrid has already one of these gauges since it's launch and the rest of the range will get one now. The new gauges will display instantaneous and average mileage and similar devices have proven to be one of the key tools of hyper-milers. By making the driver immediately aware of the effects of their use of the accelerator and brake drivers can adapt their driving style and potentially achieve improvements of ten percent or more with no technological changes.
[Source: Nissan]
NISSAN'S NEW MODELS TO FEATURE FUEL EFFICIENCY GAUGE
TOKYO (August 21, 2007) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., announced today that all future new models will be equipped with a fuel efficiency gauge to give drivers more information on how their driving style directly relates to fuel economy. The fuel efficiency gauge will also be equipped in current models scheduled for minor product freshenings*1.
The gauge provides the driver with both instant fuel-efficiency and average efficiency readings. For example, by accelerating, the driver would instantly see an increase in fuel consumption reflected on the gauge. Based on Nissan's trials, drivers have tended to improve their eco-driving habits over time, prompted by the real-time fuel-efficiency readings. Driving improvements also included smoother acceleration and braking, which potentially could lead to an average 10% improvement in fuel-efficiency*2.
In January 2007, Nissan introduced the eco-driving information service through its CARWINGS navigation system to promote more economical driving habits*3. Through the installation of the fuel efficiency gauge on the instrument-cluster as a standard feature on all new models, Nissan will extend the awareness of eco-driving to a wider driving audience.
The introduction of the fuel efficiency gauge is in line with the company's overall efforts to launch a wide range of environmental technologies under the Nissan Green Program 2010 mid-term environmental action plan.
*1: Current model range include the SKYLINE, LAFESTA and ATLAS in Japan, and the ALTIMA, INFINITI G35 in the U.S.
*2: 10% average based on Nissan's internal test results. The figure may vary based on individual driving style.
*3: CARWINGS services include listing the average fuel-efficiency of CARWINGS members on the CARWINGS website via monthly rankings and weekly web updates on green driving techniques.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
toxshox 2:16PM (8/21/2007)
Thankfully someone made the bold move. I knew a domestic company wouldn't do it. I added my own gauges from Scangauge II and saw a dramatic increase in fuel mileage as I changed my driving habits. I hope the rest of the manufactures will follow suit.
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Warner Young 3:05PM (8/21/2007)
Is this really new? A friend of mine bought a used Altima this year, and it already has a fuel efficiency display (not sure if it's a gauge on the dash or on the LCD screen).
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Tyguy 3:17PM (8/21/2007)
Yea, that's not new. My 87 BMW 535i has one of these in it. Granted its analog and not digital but is pretty accurate. It also has a computer that tells me my average speed and various other things. Pretty neat stuff for 1987. The gauge does help me go a bit slower although its still fun to floor it and see the mpg go down below 10mpg. :o) In general this is a good idea as it is nice to see how much gas the car is sucking down cruising at 70mph on the freeway vs dropping down to 60mph. However, my primary car is now a Scion XB and the 535i is just a toy now.
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bioburner 6:40PM (8/21/2007)
This reminds me of those "POOR FUEL ECONOMY" idiot lights the domestics were using back in the early 80s. ok most of them were operated off of vacumm switches in the intake manifold.
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Chris 8:43PM (8/21/2007)
Standardizing this feature across all models regardless of options - I believe is new. Many manufacturers have had mpg calculations along with other trip functions as options, such as all VW/Audi cars with the trip computer feature, which was out around 1996, or earlier. (I have it on my '99 Passat)
I think this is a great step to raise driver awareness. I find when I have the mpg display up on the dash I do drive more like a grandma. Hopefully other manufacturers will follow suit.
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Pete 8:21PM (8/21/2007)
Reminds me of the "Fuel Pacer System" on my 75 Dodge Dart. It would light up the left fender mounted turn signal when you floored it, pulling a signal from a transducer on a vaccum port. Being analog, it would glow brighter in response to lowering vaccum. Pretty crude. I was a teenager. It was lit a lot.
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RamSport47 6:06AM (8/22/2007)
My 1994 Chrysler Concord had an economy function on it's trip computer, and so did my 2003 Ram. NOTHING new here, Oh...except, now it's on a japanese car, just like the "dual gate" on the Ridgeline. My 1972 Plymouth wagon had that feature, so much for innovation Japan
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cap2501 5:28PM (8/22/2007)
Every BMW since 1980(at least) has come equiped with these. I have one on my 96 328 and it does help alot when you are trying to save some fuel.
Combined with the obc I found I can get from 19mpg (normal driving) to 26mpg if I go all out with accel/coast style of driving and a light foot.
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