Is it just me or is this a weird feature for our 2009 Nissan 370Z, a sport coupe with 332 horsepower and a 3.7-liter V6, to have?
I don't think anyone on our staff pays attention to it. When I drove our Z this weekend, all I noticed about this mpg bar is that when I took my foot off the throttle, the bar went up to 60. Ooh. But when I'm passing cars or zooming up a freeway on-ramp, fuel economy is not really a concern. Then again, it's not my car. Is it different for you owners out there?
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 14,108 miles
yellowmiata says:
12:10 PM, 10/26/09
Yah, I click through this feature and let this gauge stay on overall MPG and MPH averages. I know I'm getting around 18 mpg and when I jump on the gas, I'm more happy about the squat of the rear end as the tires find traction to launch me forward than the 3mpg I'm getting at that very moment.
Caroline - Good call on this blog - this feature is extraneous, however I guess I could try to hypermile a Z. But, to agree with you, Why?
mrryte says:
12:14 PM, 10/26/09
I would say it's weird. It's just one of the features offered on most new cars.
The MPG gauge may be useful to some drivers; but anyone that concerned about fuel economy wouldn't and shouldn't be driving a 370Z in the first place....
clarkma5 says:
12:22 PM, 10/26/09
It's weird, but if I had it on my car I would watch it. I can be kinda obsessive about fuel economy, my gas gauge is usually quite consistent so I get pretty good running estimates on my fuel economy by figuring out how many miles I've averaged per tick on the gauge (45 miles per 1/8th of a tank equates to 28-29 MPG, for instance...)
Then again, in a car like the 370Z, I'd probably prefer to NOT see my fuel economy, because it would probably just depress me all the time and hold me back from enjoying the car.
co_05si says:
12:54 PM, 10/26/09
I would most certainly follow my fuel mileage as a gauge of overall vehicle health. Drastic changes in fuel economy spell bad things to come in the future. The fact that these in-dash mileage meters are generally incorrect would have me lean toward doing it the old fashioned way, but this is an easy way to spot a trend.
83zman says:
12:55 PM, 10/26/09
It's Nissan corporate policy to include an MPG gauge on all new vehicles starting in 2010.
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2007/_STORY/070821-01-e.html
esoterica says:
01:37 PM, 10/26/09
So this is a static display that can't be turned off or switched to display anything else? Yuck, primarily because it's so garish. BMWs have done this for as far back as I can remember, but with a discreet swing needle, not a bright orange Powerpoint presentation.
japcola says:
02:00 PM, 10/26/09
No, you can switch/cycle the display to whichever one you like. There are several displays to pick from; I just leave mine on the range screen. Wish they had implemented a digital speedometer into one of the displays. Maybe in a future update//hack...
redwoodaggie says:
02:03 PM, 10/26/09
I'm not sure what else comes up on this display, but I'd rather just have overall MPG. That being said, the instant mpg gauge is something I sometimes used on my last BMW. Do I miss it? Rarely, but it does happen.
zoomzoomn says:
02:27 PM, 10/26/09
Agreed. If MPG is your thing, then you aren't likely shopping for a Z-car!
the_big_al says:
03:36 PM, 10/26/09
I can't resist -- I have to say it.. Why hasn't anyone mentioned the VERY 80's display?? Oh that's right. It's a Nissan. An Import. So of course it's okay. Now if it were the G8 then it would be a totally different story right? Of course!
In all seriousness though, that display looks like it was lifted right out of my '84 Chrysler Laser. It had a combination of digital numbers and "led" lights for the different functions. I thought it was cool on the Laser, but I was 16 at the time. Now I feel differently, especially about a car that is 25 years newer.
bodyblue says:
03:51 PM, 10/26/09
The LED gauges are stupid in a performance car like the Z. It reminds me of the two guys in the Subaru from Cannonball Run. The interior is almost as ugly as the outside.
bloodyr says:
04:57 PM, 10/26/09
I have this in my G35, and it's pretty useless. I'm pretty sure the code for this gauge is as follows:
if (gas) {
mpg = 0;
} else {
mpg = 60;
}
hondacura4 says:
06:06 PM, 10/26/09
For me, a MPG gauge in a sports car is useless as I'm going to be driving it rather spiritedly. That's the reason of the purchase.
However, whenever I drive my sisters 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited I4 which has a MPG gauge, I find that my driving habits become much less aggressive as I try to get the average MPG to increase.
actual370owner says:
07:26 PM, 10/26/09
I leave mine set on outside temp. It DOES have cumulative MPG as well as other features such as reminders for oil changes etc. I have learned to kinda like it as it is a hell of a conversation starter....on the other hand, I WAS an Asteroid champion---google it kiddos!
cr_driver says:
10:39 AM, 10/28/09
Well thats the trend now, so even with a Z, I´ll use it. WHy? its not that Im the fun sprinting mood all the time, and second its not that is a 5.0L V10 engine to be that thirsty and actually dont care about fuel economy at all. Its only a $35k V6 car after all.