How Do I Use The Fuel Computer?

May 30, 2008

I bought a 2005 Avensis 1.8 VVTI a few weeks ago from the local Toyota dealer. The manual was missing and the replacement one they procured has nothing at all about the fuel computer. I've figured out how to put the different displays in the two halves of it, and how to change the units; I've also observed that "range" resets when I fill up, and "miles driven" (or whatever) resets when I stop and start the engine, but how to reset the "avg consumption" or "average speed" at the beginning of a trip?

And the button which puts up the "Avg fuel" display also says "guidance"; guidance on what to whom? Ditto the "Fuel" button says "Fuel menu": menu of what? And lastly the "Distance" button also says "reroute", and I can't imagine what that's about.

I'm an IT guy and generally pretty good at finding out how things work, but I've tried every combination of double-presses, long presses and combinations of two buttons without success. Can anyone help? A manual would begood but the dealer guys say I've got everything that there is.

(Oh, I've seen all the posts about how the computer itself isn't accurate; that's disappointing but it's not the issue here).

June 1, 2008

I bought a 2005 Avensis 1.8 VVTI a few weeks ago from the local Toyota dealer. The manual was missing and the replacement one they procured has nothing at all about the fuel computer. I've figured out how to put the different displays in the two halves of it, and how to change the units; I've also observed that "range" resets when I fill up, and "miles driven" (or whatever) resets when I stop and start the engine, but how to reset the "avg consumption" or "average speed" at the beginning of a trip?
And the button which puts up the "Avg fuel" display also says "guidance"; guidance on what to whom? Ditto the "Fuel" button says "Fuel menu": menu of what? And lastly the "Distance" button also says "reroute", and I can't imagine what that's about.
I'm an IT guy and generally pretty good at finding out how things work, but I've tried every combination of double-presses, long presses and combinations of two buttons without success. Can anyone help? A manual would begood but the dealer guys say I've got everything that there is.
(Oh, I've seen all the posts about how the computer itself isn't accurate; that's disappointing but it's not the issue here).

Hello Henry Law, hope I can help you. First, the fuel comp., you are correct with what you have sussed out yourself, but the avg. consumption you mention, cannot be reset manually, it resets automatically when you put fuel in the tank. I think the avg. speed resets when you start every journey, like the distance.

Now, to the next problem. I am guessing that you have got either a T2 or a T3X, because if you had a T3S, T4 or a TSpirit you would know that the switches marked "guidance", "menu",and "reroute" etc., are functions that are used on the sat nav system. The T2 and T3X do not have sat nav fitted as standard.

Hope this has been helpful to you. Jed.

June 2, 2008

Now, to the next problem. I am guessing that you have got either a T2 or a T3X, because if you had a T3S, T4 or a TSpirit you would know that the switches marked "guidance", "menu",and "reroute" etc., are functions that are used on the sat nav system. The T2 and T3X do not have sat nav fitted as standard.
Hope this has been helpful to you. Jed.

Jed, thank you. So those buttons should really be labelled "Buy a nicer car if you want to use these ...". I understand perfectly; I sympathise rather less!

Anyway, I'm pleased with the car. Comfortable and smooth; and even if the computer's a bit optimistic (I don't know how much yet) it's still a lot less thirsty than my previous 28MPG Omega estate. (Though I do still miss the space and the flat load platform ...)