Average Fuel Gauge

[Purnah]

I queried the odd behaviour of the average fuel gauge with Toyota Customer Relations. I'd noted that it could not be reset (except by refuelling) and didn't go above 60 MPG. Toyota wrote back with the following:

"The iQ has been designed to provide the customer with a high level of technological specification and safety features combined with value for money. Unfortunately, the average fuel consumption figures and average speed displays cannot be reset; this is a design specification and as such cannot be changed"

So, Toyota actually designed my £11,500 car so that it doesn't permit you to reset fuel consumption by pressing and holding MODE. A very odd decision. I wonder how much money they saved by removing that feature. Also,

"[The Toyota Technical Department] are aware that the displayed average fuel consumption figure cannot rise above 60 MPG even though we advertise the car as having the capacity to achieve 70 MPG. Reports have been sent to Toyota Motor Europe and Technical will continue to work with them on this issue"

Sounds like there might be a little movement on the upper limit problem. They will get a lot of queries about the car's inability to tell you how frugal it is being.

[T V O R]

The Toyota Technical Department are aware that the displayed average fuel consumption figure cannot rise above 60 MPG even though we advertise the car as having the capacity to achieve 70 MPG.

Bit of an own goal there me thinks...!

[johnan]

Unfortunately, the average fuel consumption figures and average speed displays cannot be reset; this is a design specification and as such cannot be changed"

I thought the average mpg value DID reset after refuelling, as previously said, as long as the tank was nearly half full (or empty!) before refuelling, at least that is what seemed to happen with mine....must have imagined it, which is quite possible.

Or do they mean that is the only way to do it, as holding in the mode button won't do it?

[Purnah]

I thought the average mpg value DID reset after refuelling, as previously said, as long as the tank was nearly half full (or empty!) before refuelling

You're right about that, and the IQ manual confirms that average fuel consumption resets after refuelling. (I haven't checked whether just opening and closed the petrol flap causes this, or whether you actually need to pump some petrol into the car.) Average speed might reset after stopping the engine, but I also haven't looked at that as I'm not too interested in average speed.

I quoted the letter Toyota wrote me verbatim. They should have mentioned the reset on refuelling feature.

What I found more surprising was that Toyota felt they needed to justify removing the standard reset with MODE button feature with some value for money balony. Unless this flat petrol tank is causing all sorts of metering problems, I struggle to see how much they might have saved and passed onto the consumer - £10?

[johnan]

I thought the average mpg value DID reset after refuelling, as previously said, as long as the tank was nearly half full (or empty!) before refuelling

You're right about that, and the IQ manual confirms that average fuel consumption resets after refuelling. (I haven't checked whether just opening and closed the petrol flap causes this, or whether you actually need to pump some petrol into the car.) Average speed might reset after stopping the engine, but I also haven't looked at that as I'm not too interested in average speed.

I quoted the letter Toyota wrote me verbatim. They should have mentioned the reset on refuelling feature.

What I found more surprising was that Toyota felt they needed to justify removing the standard reset with MODE button feature with some value for money balony. Unless this flat petrol tank is causing all sorts of metering problems, I struggle to see how much they might have saved and passed onto the consumer - £10?

They did some hasty changes to the iQ spec, as far as I can see, before finally releasing it.

For example all the blurb towards the end of last year was, and I saw pictures of the interior showing a 6 speed gearbox indicated on the gear lever, that the release model 1.0l, would have a 6 speed box.We are now stuck with a notchy, hastily put together 5 speed box, at least selector operation wise, until the iQ3 comes out.

Perhaps because they knew no-one would be able to match the claimed fuel consumption figures of high 60s mpg, they have prevented the trip computer from being able to go above 60, so all you can do is think you are getting more than that, unless you have a Scangauge or caculate it manually.They justify the change as a cost cutting exercise, how I dont know, as any change costs money and the trip computer is obviously taken from an existing model and it would be cheaper to leave it alone, although I suppose the change will be in the ecu software rather than in the trip computer itself.

I love the car though, wouldn't want anything else at present!

I seem to be getting 55-58mpg as long as I don't go on motorways.