Tech review: Tiny car computer can help you improve your gas mileage

08:43 AM CDT on Friday, April 17, 2009

By JIM ROSSMAN / The Dallas Morning News techhelp@dallasnews.com

It's easy to think about better gas mileage when you're standing outside your car with the gas pump in your hand, but what about the other times?

Do you have any idea how much gas you burn driving to work each day? I do.

I spend, on average, 35 cents to drive to work from my house. How do I know?

A little computer called the Fuel Efficiency Adviser told me.

It's sold by Dallas-based Fuel Efficiency Centers, whose president, Karl Singer, is betting you'll become a better driver if you have real-time information about what's going on in your engine.

Singer took me for a ride in his car to demonstrate the product.

At its heart, the Fuel Efficiency Adviser ($159.95, www.fuelefficiency centers.com) is a small diagnostic computer that relays information from your car's engine.

It provides all the basic information plus a lot more – and it works in any car made since 1996.

The computer plugs into your vehicle's OBDII port, which is under your dashboard, usually near the steering column. The port provides power and data to the device, so there is only one wire to connect.

Your mechanic uses the port to diagnose engine problems. In fact, the Fuel Efficiency Adviser can read your engine's trouble codes and even turn off or reset those warning lights on your dashboard.

My favorite of the 12 gauges is the fuel rate, which tells you how much each trip costs. When you fill up, enter how much you paid and how many gallons you pumped.

I've been trying for the past two weeks to drive to work for the least amount possible.

On my first try I used 36 cents in gas, and try as I might, on my regular route (which I think has the least traffic) I couldn't get it much lower. I think 34 cents was my best. It was easy to spend an extra 10 or 15 cents, however, depending on how many stop lights I'd hit and if I didn't pay attention to smooth acceleration and braking.

The Fuel Efficiency Adviser shows you how changing your driving habits affects your gas mileage. Coasting to red lights and keeping a constant steady speed are money savers you learn quickly. Saving money becomes an addictive game.

The device also displays real-time fuel mileage. It's easy to experiment with different driving methods when the feedback is instant.

The Fuel Efficiency Adviser is small and easy to mount in a variety of places on your dash. I mounted it on the steering column between my wheel and the speedometer.

Singer believes if people slow down and think about how they're driving, they can help the environment and save money.

I could go on and on about the Fuel Efficiency Adviser – it's one of my favorite new gadgets.

Even my dad, who drives a 10-year-old Chevy pickup, was impressed enough to order his own. I don't think his mileage will rival my new Honda Fit's, but he's determined to do better.

Fuel Efficiency Adviser Price: $159.95 Pros: Provides an incredible amount of information. Easy to install. Moves from car to car. Cons: No interface to download info to a computer for analysis. Bottom line: This device will give you the tools to save money. How you use it is up to you. I think every driver should have one.