UltraGauge Question Regarding Calibration

md7989 · #1 05-16-2011, 08:32 PM

Hey guys, just got my UG in the mail today and have a question about it:

I'm not using the trip meter or average MPG meter, but I am of course using the instant MPG gauge.

Do I need to calibrate the fuel usage and/or distance numbers for the instant mpg to work correctly?

I wanted to ask as I am still a 1/2 tank away from filling up again. Please let me know your thoughts on this. Thank you.

Right Lane Cruiser · #2 05-16-2011, 10:19 PM

Yes, both measures will need to be calibrated for the gauge to be accurate... HOWEVER... you can still use the uncalibrated gauge for important feedback because the trend will still be correct. Improve your efficiency and the number will go up. Get worse and the number will go down. It is just going to be a multiplier to get to actual, but if you keep that number going in the right direction you'll be getting the benefit you ought to... whether the gauge says you went from 12 to 15mpg or 35 to 44mpg.

md7989 · #3 05-17-2011, 08:14 AM

Thanks Sean. I calibrated the mileage after my commure to work this morning, and will begin calibrating the fuel numbers when I fill up tomorrow morning.

gdsmit1 · #4 05-20-2011, 05:56 AM

I calibrated the fuel numbers yesterday when I fueled up. I don't know that I'm going to calibrate the distance, with all the congestion around here, I'm not sure where I can go to calibrate that without getting run over.

md7989 · #5 05-20-2011, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdsmit1

I calibrated the fuel numbers yesterday when I fueled up. I don't know that I'm going to calibrate the distance, with all the congestion around here, I'm not sure where I can go to calibrate that without getting run over.

You can just drive a normal commute and when you get there enter the total mileage. It doesn't have to be only 1 mile.

FSUspectra · #6 05-20-2011, 08:58 AM

What md said... it's actually better to do it over several miles... I think I used an 80 mile stint on the interstate with mile markers... just reset it at say 220 and drove to 300, then calibrated it to match 80 miles. This was on a trip I was already taking though.

Damionk · #7 05-20-2011, 09:04 AM

I used my GPS. It also let me know that my odo is about 0.5% high and my speedometer is about 3% high.

SentraSE-R · #8 05-20-2011, 09:49 AM

^^^ Mile markers are notoriously inaccurate. They leave them in place, straighten some curves, and viola, they're off by half a mile.

FSUspectra · #9 05-20-2011, 10:11 AM

Unfortunately, my GPS doesn't track miles driven, just speed... maybe it's time for an upgrade?

FSUspectra · #10 05-20-2011, 10:26 AM

That works when calibrating the SG. Calibrating the UG is a different scenario... it's a distance driven offset, not speed.