Nissan to put lead-foot gauge on all models

[gt_performah]

This might be relative to the smart gas pedal technology from Nissan.

Nissan (NSANY) (http://stocks.usatoday.com/custom/usatoday-com/html-quote.asp?symb=NSANY) plans to equip all of its cars and trucks with a gauge to tell drivers when they are being gas-guzzling lead foots.

The "fuel-efficiency" meter, as the gauge is called, shows up already as a horizontal bar in the instrument cluster of the 2007 Nissan Altima and the 2008 Titan pickup, Armada SUV, Infiniti G35 car and QX56 SUV. When coasting down a hill, the meter is long and orange, meaning little fuel is being used. When the pedal is to the metal, the line shortens dramatically.
"You will become a little less lead-footed if you can see what putting your foot to the pedal does to your fuel economy," suggests Nissan spokesman Tony Pearson.

Similar gauges are found on some models by other automakers, especially hybrid and luxury vehicles. But Nissan's move to put them on every model demonstrates how automakers are racing to be fuel conscious as high gasoline prices weigh more heavily on consumers.

Based on in-house tests, Nissan predicts drivers will cut their fuel use by about 10% when they have a gauge that monitors their driving habits. The gauge will be phased in as new models roll out over the next few years.

[MAX2DAMAX]

I have that on my maxima, dont use it though, cause if I do, I wouldnt have so much fun!

[MrRyte]

"You will become a little less lead-footed if you can see what putting your foot to the pedal does to your fuel economy," suggests Nissan spokesman Tony Pearson.....
Can't see how it will make much of a difference....:rolleyes:
A person who has a lead foot most likely won't alter their driving style too much. Same with a gas miser as well.

[RobUSAF81]

As long as insurance companies dont decide to use it against us like i know theyd love to, more useless gizmos are cool i guess...

[M_TYPE_X]

The 2008 Altima 3.5SE Coupe has it. It annoyed the hell out of me during my test drive.

[Tried]

You can switch that display to something else if it bothers you that much.

[Jawad]

Does anyone have any pictures of it?

[Tried]

http://www.askaprice.com/torque-article.asp?article=Nissan%20adds%20fuel%20economy %20gauge%20to%20new%20models&item=3565

[WhiteAlltrac]

Poor shot and very ridiculous attempt by Nissan.............whats next an engine shut down system if you push the car after 55 mpg???

Please...............

[black985speed]

BMW has been doing this for freaking ever.

[mayhem]

BMWs have had this for years and years now. My nephew's 88 3 series had one...as did the 2001 M5 I test drove.

[MrRyte]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; but I think Nissan is going a little overboard in their quest to be considered the Japanese version of BMW.BMWs have had this for years and years now. My nephew's 88 3 series had one...as did the 2001 M5 I test drove.Precisely. Which is why one has to wonder why Nissan thinks this "new technology" is even newsworthy.:rolleyes:

[2Fass240us]

Akin to the radar stations that tell you what speed you're going, I think this would be a "let's do the opposite of what the creator of this device wants me to do" situation: it would tempt me to be even more lead-footed.

-Andy

[dangle01]

Seems to me like a duechbag feature that has no purpose except, to leave you more aware of how much were sucking the world dry of natural resources.
Yah good going nissan!! Make me feel bad for purchasing that 350Z why don't yah!! Party Poopers!!

[D_Nyholm]

My sister has teh new G35 sedan and it has the meter. It maxes out at 30MPG!! At least in my wife's mini, it maxes at 99.9 MPG.

Also ,have you noticed that if you come to a complete stop in a BMW, the meter will peg up to maximum MPG, meanwhile you are getting ZERO MPG!!!

[mayhem]

Because the meter is simply a measure of the flow of fuel through the lines, not actually measuring fuel economy (I think). When you stop the car, the flow at idle is so low as to not register on the meter.

[D_Nyholm]

Because the meter is simply a measure of the flow of fuel through the lines, not actually measuring fuel economy (I think). When you stop the car, the flow at idle is so low as to not register on the meter.

Probably 100% true. YOu'd just think they they would get that fixed!! There has to be some way to wire a resistor or something into it to make it jump the other way when the car is stopped...heck, cut power to it when the speed sensor hits 0 mph!!! :P And tehy say Germans over-engineer their products...sheesh :P

[WhereHaveYouBeen]

I think it measures the voltage at the fuel pump. Installing a flow meter in the fuel line would be too expensive/problematic.

And tehy say Germans over-engineer their products...sheesh :P

We should be so lucky. Those were the days when buying a german automobile meant something.

[Them_Bones]

Honda's CR-V has this, and it really does help you get better fuel economy, if that's your goal. The Honda guage goes to zero when you stop as well!

I don't think there are any extra sensors for this. The car knows how much fuel it's using, how fast it's going, and how far. Fuel use can be calculated by injector pulse width and flow rate. Maybe BMW just uses engine vacuum (some OLD cars had economy guages like this).

[Misfit]

I think it measures the voltage at the fuel pump. Installing a flow meter in the fuel line would be too expensive/problematic.



We should be so lucky. Those were the days when buying a german automobile meant something.

Mercedes uses a MPG readout - no "meter" you can tell your MPG for a trip, since your last reset etc. It uses real MPG so if you are idling - it starts to go up

[Nismo]

I don't think there are any extra sensors for this. The car knows how much fuel it's using, how fast it's going, and how far. Fuel use can be calculated by injector pulse width and flow rate. Maybe BMW just uses engine vacuum (some OLD cars had economy guages like this).
Exactly.

[tedex]

This is very old technology. The worst application of this I have seen was in an excursion. I kid you not, it read 11MPG average when it was traded in to the dealership I worked at! And on an unrelated note, when the tech did the inspection on the car he found a corkscrew and a box of condoms hidden by the jack!

[RetAF]

I never heard of anybody putting a condom on a corkscrew. Think it could be to take the condom off??? Ouch!:D

[tedex]

I thought he might just have a very different way of changing a flat...

[G35cFan]

Idiotic idea. What person doesn't know that if you stomp on the pedal, you get less gas mileage. Besides, one of the last things I'm thinking about when I'm romping on the gas pedal is gas mileage. Would have no impact on my driving.

[Jesda]

Welcome to the 80s, Nissan. No one liked this feature then, and they don't want it back. :)

[M_TYPE_X]

synchronized, civilized ... 300ZX! come and drive, MAJOR MOTION! BY NISSAN!

[Tried]

This isn't a dedicated gage on the new vehicles...it's a selectable display option. As Them_Bones and Nismo pointed out, there really isn't any additional cost to put this feature in, so why not have it included.

I don't know why people are hating on it so much. From personal experience driving some of the newer Nissans, I really like this display option.

[Nismo]

I don't know why people are hating on it so much. From personal experience driving some of the newer Nissans, I really like this display option. As an engineering geek, I have enjoyed using the MPG display to determine the optimum speed to drive at (on level roads--because all roads in Louisiana are flat & level) to get the best MPG.

BTW, the answer to this question is 40-60 MPH for most vehicles. Vehicles with good aerodynamics, like sports cars, tend to get the best fuel economy at 50-60 MPH. Vehicles with bad aero, like pick-em-up trucks, do best at 40-50 MPH.