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Subaru Legacy/Outback 2005+

10833 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 5:40 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon




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Messages Page 1023 of 1084

#10221 of 10833 Trip computer by mithrandir

Sep 10, 2007 (7:28 pm)

I just performed my first fill-up and while the trip computer estimated my tank mileage at 28.2 mpg, my actual calculated mileage was in fact 27.3 mpg. This is decent accuracy. However this brought something else to my attention. I revisited the mileage records for my 2003 Outback and discovered that over the 196 times I refilled it, I never achieved anything better than 26.9 mpg. Wow.
 
I AM babying my new car like I've never babied one before. Age has something to do with it (I'm now a mellow 34) but the instantaneous mileage display has been very revealing and instructive for me. You hear similar stories from Prius owners but it's just as effective for non-hybrids. When you get immediate feedback from the car on its fuel usage you are able to evaluate on-the-fly whether the current rate of consumption is appropriate. After all it is liquid money you are burning, among other things.
 
I was shocked to see the mpg's dip so low whenever I tried to maintain my speed - or worse, accelerate - up a hill. Allowing the car to slow a little when going uphill saves a lot of gas. Likewise, you burn a lot of gas whenever you accelerate (OK, this is intuitive), but I never realized that acceleration, even light acceleration, burned much more gas than maintaining your speed. So you learn not to drive so fast in situations where you may have to stop soon (suburban/city traffic) because you want to spend more time maintaining speed than accelerating.
 
Subaru apparently modified the gear ratios as well. They are pleasingly longer and require shifting later.

#10222 of 10833 Re: Trip computer [mithrandir] by jeffmc

Sep 10, 2007 (9:12 pm)

Replying to: mithrandir (Sep 10, 2007 7:28 pm)
Yep, that instant mileage calculation did the same with me, as did my age (35). I still like to stomp on it occasionally, when the situation allows, but my habits have mellowed (matured?) as well.

#10223 of 10833 Re: Trip computer [jeffmc] by paisan

Sep 11, 2007 (6:55 am)

Replying to: jeffmc (Sep 10, 2007 9:12 pm)
Being 33 myself I try to keep my average per tank above 21mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway. I've been pretty successful at doing it on my LGT wagon 5MT.
 
-mike

#10224 of 10833 Re: Trip computer [paisan] by lilengineerboy

Sep 11, 2007 (7:27 am)

Replying to: paisan (Sep 11, 2007 6:55 am)
I personally like the optimism of the computer. Reality can suck, its nice to know there is technology trying to keep me pacified.
That said, I think the computer said I got 32 on the last tank and it was much closer to 30 (05 2.5i Legacy wagon 5spd).

#10225 of 10833 Re: Trip computer [lilengineerboy] by paisan

Sep 11, 2007 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Sep 11, 2007 7:27 am)
Mine has been dead on balls accurate to my calculations within .2 mpg
 
-mike

#10226 of 10833 Re: Trip computer [paisan] by lilengineerboy

Sep 11, 2007 (6:20 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Sep 11, 2007 2:20 pm)
Yeah I don't know why it would be off. I believe it takes its signals from the fuel injector duty cycle. I would think that would be pretty accurate, much better than the old school vacuum gauge in 80s BMWs.

#10227 of 10833 Any iPod user's out there? by goneskiian

Sep 11, 2007 (11:21 pm)

I just successfully installed an OEM kit that will allow you to control your iPod through your stereo. I have only tried this on an '07 stereo so I can't be sure it will work with the '06's and '08's but I'm thinking it should work with any stereo that has the satellite radio functionality.
 
The integration kit is part number H621SFG500 and it is actually for the '08 Impreza's.
 
Cheers!
-Ian

#10228 of 10833 Re: Any iPod user's out there? [goneskiian] by tifighter

Sep 12, 2007 (10:43 am)

Replying to: goneskiian (Sep 11, 2007 11:21 pm)
Cool tip; nice that there is a factory option out there. So, as opposed to the standard aux in, this allows ipod control through the stereo, yes? How does it sound?

#10229 of 10833 Re: Any iPod user's out there? [goneskiian] by jeffmc

Sep 12, 2007 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: goneskiian (Sep 11, 2007 11:21 pm)
I think your '07 was the first year sat radio was offered in Legacy/Outback... as an '06 owner, I'm out of luck on this one. Very cool mod, though, Ian! I was excited to see Subaru finally offer this kit - thanks for giving it a shot in your vehicle. I'd do it if I could.

#10230 of 10833 Re: Any iPod user's out there? [jeffmc] by goneskiian

Sep 12, 2007 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: jeffmc (Sep 12, 2007 1:23 pm)
tifighter - Yes, it allows you to control the iPod with the stereo. Sounds great to me, but I'm no audiophile. I would think it's about as good as you're going to get though since it hooks up to the iPod's docking interface rather than plugging into the headphone jack.
 
jeffmc - Actually, my wagon is an '05 but I purchased an '07 radio (Subaru part number 86201AG67A ~$400) a month or so ago as I was planning to add an Aux input plug in the center console cubby like the '07's come with. I had yet to install it when I found out about this integration kit. It just made the installation totally plug 'n play instead of having to add wires for the Aux jack. Plug 'n play I can do, tapping into the existing wire harnesses I'm not as comfortable with so I was going to pay a stereo installer to tackle it.
 
Next up is a Parrot bluetooth kit (which is also plug 'n play)!
 
Cheers!
-Ian
 
 p.s. Not sure how the powers that be here are nowadays with references to other discussion boards but there is a lot more information in the Interior/Audio section of legacygt.com.

Messages Page 1023 of 1084

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