Odd trip odometer reaction when NICE-OFF

[kingchinook]

Ok...didn't note this before until I performed NICE-Off on Saturday:

Coasting with NICE-off for a few seconds in my '95 Civic DX HB w/ 5MT, the trip odometer didn't register any movement whatsoever, even though my forward progress was around a 1/4 mile coast . Now that I've seen this, it's obvious that the odometer needs juice to register the signal pulse from the sending unit, though the readout is not digital. Anyone else seen this in their own Honda? I don't know if my 2005 Accord EX Sedan with 5AT will do the same. I'm assuming so since that car is much more reliant on electronics than my Civic, not to mention has a digital readout for the odometers.

Strange as it was to see when performing the NICE-off, I pondered what that will do to my MPGs. Is it being inflated or deflated? Also, when over the life of the vehicle, the accumulated error in unregistered distance will add up significantly and not truely reflect the travelled distance .

Did I thoroughly confuse everybody yet? LOL

~kc

[PaleMelanesian]

Did you turn the key back to the Run position after the engine stopped? Please do. Not only is the odometer not reading, but any electrical and safety systems are disabled.


From "Beating the EPA":

Originally Posted by xcel

FAS: Forced Autostop in any vehicle: A Honda hybrid will AS (Autostop) in various scenarios although it is very limiting to a given condition. Too high a speed, too cold, not enough SoC (state of Charge), not enough speed since last AS, Defrost or A/C on except for the AH and HCH-II in specific conditions, etc. will not allow AS … Forcing an AS in any vehicle (other than an HSD equipped hybrid), aka FAS, takes these limits out of the equation. Shift to N, let the Tach stabilize, key back to IG-I (shuts down the ICE and electronics), key back to IG-II to reboot the electronics and coast to a stop or pre-determined lower speed depending on conditions. Recover by starting up ICE via key to IG-III, release to IG-II, and engage transmission with a rev match to continue on your way. Pros include a very noticeable increase in FE over any short distance trip and is required in a few areas of the US as well as much of Europe, ie. sitting at a stop sign for > 15 seconds or at a stop for > 5 minutes … Cons include many automatics and even some manual transmission equipped vehicles cannot be flat towed with the engine shut down, thus this technique is not available other than at a lengthy stop where it is always recommended. Read your owners manual for more information. You are also in a powerless coast, power brake assist is lost after a few applications, power steering is lost although at speed and you do not need it, is illegal in some locales, and possibly both gear reduction starter wear from excessive ICE starts and pre-mature wear from re-engagements of a variety of transmissions at speed.

[kingchinook]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Did you turn the key back to the Run position after the engine stopped? Please do. Not only is the odometer not reading, but any electrical and safety systems are disabled.


From "Beating the EPA":

Yep made sure all the time that I do turn the key back to RUN when I NICE-off. Just found it odd that on a car with the 'analog' display odometer, there's still an electronic component that sends a signal to the display. I was expecting the old fashioned direct link to the transmission via cable that rotates inside the plastic housing. Guess not.

I don't mind that the car 'loses' a fractional amount of distance while the NICE-off is performed. With what I know about the car and being able to do 48.1 MPGs in it (now thinking I'm going to be 50+ mpg this 3rd tank), I'm going to keep the car and fix it up as needed. Cheaper than buying a Prius. Someday when I get the money, will have the Civic modded into a complete electric vehicle. That's a future mod I wish I could do now.