OBD-II Adaptor Users: Can You View Fuel Consumption Per Trip?

wmxc on 28/06/2021 - 19:48
Last edited 29/06/2021 - 07:57

Hello all,

I am planning to purchase an OBD-II engine code reader (this one in particular: https://www.jaycar.com.au/obd-ii-engine-code-reader-with-blu…)

It says there I can look at fuel consumption. Are these able to tell me how much petrol I consume on a single trip (say from home to work)?

Anyone who has used this before, could you kindly guide me?

Thanks!

  • Edit: yes I am aware I can do the calculations using what is the car's reported MPG and also through filling the tank, travelling the distance and filling it back up again. But I wanted to use the OBD-II to cross check if it was accurate as filling tank, travelling and filling up again method.

I realise there are risks with driving the car in addition to the cost of the petrol.

Automotive

Comments

    • wmxc on 28/06/2021 - 19:53

      Yup I am aware of free options. But I want it to be exact. This would then help me calculate whether it is cheaper to drive from home to work or take public transport.

      • Presence on 28/06/2021 - 20:02
        +2

        Most cars are not good at reporting economy. Recording mileage on the receipt is more accurate.

      • Euphemistic on 28/06/2021 - 20:17
        +2

        You’d be better averaging over a dozen trips or so. There are many variables that will effect economy.

      • pitiek on 01/07/2021 - 15:03

        Get a bike or escooter… Simples…

  • No Username on 28/06/2021 - 19:54

    Quickbooks App if your Company uses that software. There are probably other apps too.

    • wmxc on 28/06/2021 - 19:55

      wrong thread?

      • No Username on 28/06/2021 - 19:57

        No. The app will automatically use GPS tracking to measure the time and distance once you set up the initial odometer.

        • wmxc on 28/06/2021 - 20:00

          Its for my personal car.

  • John Kimble on 28/06/2021 - 19:57

    Can't you work it out manually? Or use https://www.simplyauto.app

    • wmxc on 28/06/2021 - 20:00

      Manually - I sort of dont want to reset my avg consumption reading on my dash. I know I can reset it for a couple of drives between home to work and back and take the average consumption of that. But I don't want to do that.

      • John Kimble on 28/06/2021 - 20:00

        Just realised this app doesn't track fuel for trips.

      • JIMB0 on 28/06/2021 - 20:08
        +1

        Don't you have a readout of the litres consumed? Just use record that and the kilometres before and after each trip.

        • wmxc on 28/06/2021 - 20:09

          on my 2012 corolla? nope I don't have a readout of litres used.

  • bhubb18 on 28/06/2021 - 20:16
    +3

    Just fill your tank, drive x amount of ks, refill to full, calculate your L/100km that way.

    Trip computers etc always seem to be a bit off.

  • Euphemistic on 28/06/2021 - 20:19

    I have a reader. Don’t use it for fuel economy though, just track tanks and kms. The free Torque app I use seems to have a glitch in it. It’s good for temps and boost though.

  • brendanm on 28/06/2021 - 20:23
    +1

    Only accurate way is listed above, full tank, drive, fill tank again, calculate l/100km.

    Money isn't the only cost in taking public transport though.

    • Indomietable on 28/06/2021 - 20:30
      +1

      Also there still be a cost of owning a car even though you don't drive it (ie Depreciation , insurance, rego and maintenance)

  • alexlim2000 on 28/06/2021 - 20:41
    +1

    Havent done it personally, but https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44794181/fuel-consumptio…

    Seems that no cars measure actual fuel burnt/pumped - they measure Mass Air Flow, and distance travelled and calculate MPG from that.

    Like many others here, I doubt it is worth spending the $20 odd on a OBD cable then the time and effort to figure MPG (miles per gallon) accurately when you could just as easily go look up the reported MPG on your car's model/make/year and use good ole google to estimate distance to be travelled and figure it out that way.

    While you're looking at the cost-benefit of driving vs public transport you might want to consider:
    - parking costs
    - wear and tear on vehicle
    - insurance costs
    - time spent driving (if it takes longer to drive than take public transport)
    - time spent awake/ at attention while driving, vs just chillin on public transport

    • wmxc on 29/06/2021 - 07:56

      Thanks for the suggestion - yes I am aware I can do the calculations using what is the car's reported MPG and also through filling the tank, travelling the distance and filling it back up again. But I wanted to use the OBD-II to cross check if it was accurate as filling tank, travelling and filling up again method.

      I realise there are risks with driving the car in addition to the cost of the petrol.

  • bobbified on 29/06/2021 - 09:28

    I use an OBDEleven and it doesn't have the ability to measure consumption per trip.

    There does seem to be a way to adjust the xxL/100km figure that the car uses to calculate fuel consumption though (but that's not going to help you).

  • the Unforgiven on 29/06/2021 - 20:46

    Get this code reader instead
    https://ecutools.eu/diagnosis/obdlink-mxp/?utm_medium=email&…
    or check out their other variations, much better than Jaycars
    The one I linked above is the one I have:-

    OBDLink MX+ is an easy-to-use, inexpensive, hacker-proof, lightning-fast Bluetooth OBD adapter that can turn your smart phone, tablet, laptop, or netbook into a sophisticated diagnostic scan tool, trip computer, and real-time performance monitor.

    Top-of-the-line Bluetooth OBD adapter that transforms any iPhone, iPad, or Android device into a professional-grade diagnostic scan tool, trip computer, and real-time performance monitor capable of accessing manufacturer-specific vehicle data. Supports GM-LAN and Ford MS-CAN vehicle networks, and comes with free OEM add-ons.

    Maximum vehicle coverage
Supports SW-CAN & MS-CAN protocols
World’s fastest Bluetooth OBD-II adapter
Free unlimited OEM-specific data add-ons
Small form factor
Hacker-proof
Read & clear 'Check Engine' light
Automatic sleep & wake-up
Free included iOS, Android, and Windows apps
Supported by dozens of 3rd party apps
Free firmware updates

    The ergonomically designed, small form factor device comes in frustration-free packaging, and takes an average of 3 minutes to install. The button on the back of the unit makes the connection process both easy and secure: unlike most other adapters on the market, MX+ neither broadcasts its presence, nor uses an easy-to-guess PIN to protect the communication link. A potential hacker would require physical access to the device, in order to connect to it.

    MX+ supports all legislated OBD-II protocols, plus advanced Ford & GM vehicle networks (MS-CAN and SW-CAN). MX+ works with all 1996 & newer cars and light trucks sold in the United States, and also supports EOBD, JOBD, and all other international variants of OBD-II. If you don’t require access to advanced Ford & GM networks, consider purchasing OBDLink LX.

    Vehicle Compatibility

    OBDLink MX+ works with all 1996 & newer model year cars and light trucks sold in the U.S., including all American, European, and Asian vehicles. Live outside the U.S.? Most newer non-U.S. vehicles are compliant with the OBD-II standards.

    Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows
    Connection:

    Class 2 Bluetooth v3.0
Secure 128-bit data encryption
‘Connect’ button – requires physical access to enable Bluetooth pairing

    Operating Voltage: 12V automotive systems (8–18V operating range)
    Overvoltage Protection: Up to 100V
    Operating Current: 62 mA
    BatterySaver™ Low Power Mode: 2 mA
    Device Weight: 3 oz (85.1 g)
    Dimensions: 1.97 x 1.77 x 0.91 in (50 x 45 x 23 mm)
    Operating Temperature: -4º to 131º F (-20º to 55º C)
    Operating Humidity:10 to 85% (non-condensing)

    This is the link to the android app, see what the reader can do; heaps :p
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=OCTech.Mobile.…

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