While some sort of “eco meter” is now found on many vehicles, which allows drivers to instantaneously check how their driving style affects their fuel economy (and pocketbook), some of the displays are getting even more granular.
For example, a 2015 Audi A3 I recently tested had an “efficiency program” display as part of the driver information system in the instrument panel that, of course, shows current fuel economy. But it also displays how certain car features — such as air conditioning — influence mpg.
It uses distance traveled and consumption data from the trip computer to estimate fuel consumption from these auxiliary features and can be reset at any time. The display shows up to three items that could be affecting fuel economy. The feature using the most fuel is listed first.
Since I tested the A3 this summer, the air conditioning was listed first. And there was no reason to use the other two listed: rear window heater and right seat heating.
The efficiency program goes even further in showing exactly how much the feature effects fuel economy. In my case, running the A/C on a 90-degree-plus day could be costing me up to one-eighth of a gallon of gas per hour.
The program can also show fuel economy messages when mpg is affected by certain conditions. For example, a message such as “Air conditioning is on: close windows and sun roof” can pop up.
The message turns off after a certain period of time, or drivers can manually turn the message off using one of the steering-wheel buttons if they don’t want to be nagged. Of course they can always switch the Audi A3’s driver information system to a different display other than the efficiency program if they don’t want to be bothered with fuel economy at all.
Originally published by MSN Autos
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