[W126 Coupe] Economy gauge: 1990 560 SEC

[Richard & Nancy Diefenbach]

  Gentlemen and Ladies: 

   There is a fuel economy gauge on my  '85 280 SL (Euro) which,  as stated previously, is nothing but a vacuum gauge and, more or less, helps to keep one from " flooring"  it.  On my '87 SEC (Euro) there is a computer that provides data on the right side of the instrument panel   One particular mode is liters per 100 k. as an average for the trip, what mileage I am getting at the present,  plus one other I never use.  I find if I keep the numbers in the 10 or 11 range I am doing pretty well (23-21 mpg).  12 is acceptable for my ride home from the nearest town as the climb is from 900 to 1500 ft.

  Dick


  Well I have a new Benz and I think the older method was better.

  In the new one (at least on my car) the consumption goes to maximum (20l/100km)
  and on the old car it really reflected what the engine was using at the time.  I would
  think they could have handled a "special case" so that the minimum fuel usage would
  be displayed.


  Andy


  On Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 4:40 PM, <FPecar4525 at aol.com> wrote:

    In a message dated 10/2/2009 5:49:18 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, rkhallberg at mindspring.com writes:
      Lou,

      Based on how the "Economy" gauge on my 91 560 SEC behaves, I believe it 
      is simply a manifold vacuum gauge.  If my assumption is correct, the 
      correlation with fuel economy is very crude and basically yields very 
      little past a bit of cockpit entertainment.  These cars, I think, 
      predate accurate/inexpensive fuel flowmeters used in many of current 
      vehicles to furnish data for the calculation and display of true fuel 
      economy.

      Running in 3rd gear, I think, would keep the engine in a sweeter spot of 
      the power curve, but would probably average out to be considerably less 
      economical than running in 4th gear and letting the transmission decide 
      when a downshift is needed.  These cars are designed for autobahn use 
      and tend to be a bit sluggish below somewhere around 80, at which point 
      they come alive and perform effortlessly.  My opinion is that they 
      primarily should be enjoyed, so, when in the hills, drive it in 3rd if 
      it makes you and the car feel better.

      Party On!

      Richard
    I agree with Richard.  In the "old" days I remember other "efficiency/economy" gauges on other vehicles which were merely measurements of vacuum at the manifold.  At the time, they were a new way of expressing efficiency but once microcomputers began to be introduced into the automotive world, went the way of "high button shoes and buggy whips".  That said, I love looking at that gauge on my '89 560SEC and yes, sometimes I actually alter my acceleration pattern based on what it tells me.

    Frank Pecarich

    Frank Pecarich

    The MB Coupes Website!
    W126 SEC Mailing List
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