Why there is no trip computer?

[PolarBear]

Interesting why Mazda decided not to include trip computer even to GT when Mazda 3 GS and GT have it.

[rweatherford]

Annoying is more like it. I purchased a ScanGuageII.

[P2K]

I was disappointed about it too, which is one of the many reasons why I bought the GT. I thought it would have it because my MS3 GT has it. Either way, I still like it.

[jandree22]

I don't own one, but I 2nd the notion towards the ScanGaugeII. Not only is it customizable with a wide array of data to display, but it also can be calibrated to be pretty darn accurate. With an OEM system, you're locked into whatever algorithm that Mazda programs into it, and OEM systems can be wildly inaccurate. For example, my wife's Solara trip computer is always off by at least 2 MPG on the trip odo... not drastic, but enough to make it somewhat worthless.

All that being said, I can't speak for the accuracy of Mazda's system, it may have better logic.

[P2K]

Thanks, I think I'm convinced enough to purchase one shortly. It's a nice gadget to have.

[Wuster]

A couple years back, I remember seeing a thread about how to "unlock" the trip computer function on Mazda3's. I never bother checking to see if would work in the 5. Maybe it's already there and we just need to figure out how to access it?

[P2K]

I did a search in the 5 forums and they tried the same button combo as the 3's and it doesn't work. I'm guessing the reason it doesn't work is the 5 doesn't come with it in any trim so it wouldn't have been installed at all.

[mazdadude]

Actually, don't the Canadians get a trip computer?

There was a pic in a thread about LED tailights that showed a trip computer in the Mazda5 dash data/audio display, It was labeled in liters.

[randyl]

Actually, don't the Canadians get a trip computer?

There was a pic in a thread about LED tailights that showed a trip computer in the Mazda5 dash data/audio display, It was labeled in liters.

No. Canadian models don't come with a trip computer either. I think the picture you refer to was on an Asian version. My BIL has a 5 (he is in Taiwan), although it's pretty much the same car, there are quite a few features I'd love to have in mine. (for one, they get a lot more storage spaces. look at the inside of the sliding door, don't you think something is fishy?)

[rweatherford]

The indicators are there in our display, but you can't get to any type of functionality.

[04_cobra]

I have a new 2008 stormy blue mica mazda5 from Canada and it has a trip computer on it. Trip A and Trip B.

[P2K]

I have a new 2008 stormy blue mica mazda5 from Canada and it has a trip computer on it. Trip A and Trip B.
Not the one on the gauge cluster, the one above the radio. In the display that shows your radio station and ambient temperature, the trip computer will show your fuel info. Miles until empty, average mpg, current mpg, and average mph.

[04_cobra]

oic, now that would be nice to have.

[rtalain]

I've searched and found posts where people mount the Scangauge on the steering column. Is this the consensus location for the 5?

[rweatherford]

If you want to get creative I think you could mount it in the cassette location on the radio and have it flush mounted.

I like it on the steering column.

[dreamym5]

If you want to get creative I think you could mount it in the cassette location on the radio and have it flush mounted.

I like it on the steering column.

Hey Rex.. how hard to install Scanguage? is it plug and play?
any tutorial for future installer..???

[rweatherford]

Insert plug into OBDII port (located at your left knee in cubby hole). Attach wire to ScanGuage. Attach velco to steering column. Done.

Follow directions and insert engine size, etc.

Fill up car, drive, when near empty fill up again, make fuel adjustment at "Fillup" screen. I think mine has an 8% adjustment on E10.

[mazdadude]

Insert plug into OBDII port (located at your left knee in cubby hole). Attach wire to ScanGuage. Attach velco to steering column. Done.

Follow directions and insert engine size, etc.

Fill up car, drive, when near empty fill up again, make fuel adjustment at "Fillup" screen. I think mine has an 8% adjustment on E10.

When I had the scangauge installed, it appeared that using the cruise control was actually detrimental to the fuel economy. rweatherford what have you concluded about this?

Also on a side note about the factory trip computer, it appears as if it is not a function of the audio system (on mazda3 you activated it thru the audio system). A forum member baco from belgium just installed his duble din stereo, and his trip computer still functions.

[rweatherford]

Yes CC can hurt fuel economy. For more tips visit http://www.cleanmpg.com

[dreamym5]

Insert plug into OBDII port (located at your left knee in cubby hole). Attach wire to ScanGuage. Attach velco to steering column. Done.

Follow directions and insert engine size, etc.

Fill up car, drive, when near empty fill up again, make fuel adjustment at "Fillup" screen. I think mine has an 8% adjustment on E10.

i see.. what is the good price ???

[remarquian]

i see.. what is the good price ???

A very good price is for the Scangauge II (tm) is $150.

The people at www.cleanmpg.com regularly do a group buy and get it for $150 (including shipping). Amazon lists it at $160 with free shipping.

[5zoom]

I mounted my scangauge on my 08 above the stereo, but below the info display. I tried to mount it in the cassette area, but it was too low to be useful. I like the area above the stereo controls because I can view the displays for both the info screen and the scangauge without taking my eyes off the road.

[Kojack]

im looking at getting a dashhawk from MSD. mounted aroudn the shifter area. Not using cc is detrimental to my gas milage as well as pocket book, I have a severe heavy foot. if im not using cc i consistantly goto 140-160kmh...ha ha

[skyhawk]

A very good price is for the Scangauge II (tm) is $150.

The people at www.cleanmpg.com regularly do a group buy and get it for $150 (including shipping). Amazon lists it at $160 with free shipping.


I Found this in the local princess auto.


http://www.princessauto.com/tools/automotive-tools/diagnostic/8237844-maxitrip-auto-computer

I'm still exploring this new gadget.

[SteveP69]

Not the one on the gauge cluster, the one above the radio. In the display that shows your radio station and ambient temperature, the trip computer will show your fuel info. Miles until empty, average mpg, current mpg, and average mph.

The one I saw wasnt in mpg is was in litres. Im in the uk by the way and about to pick a 2006 56 Mazda 5 2.0d Sport in black up tomorrow which has the info button on it, so I will report back when I've had a play with it.

Were just hoping it has the range fuction i.e. miles till empty. fingers crossed :)

[P2K]

Yeah. I'm not certain, but I think the North American market are the only ones that don't get those functions stock. I never did look into it extensively. I gave up after a while, but I'll try to research it a bit more.

[skyhawk]

I Found this in the local princess auto.

http://www.princessauto.com/tools/automotive-tools/diagnostic/8237844-maxitrip-auto-computer
I'm still exploring this new gadget.

I now have another 'driver distraction'. I'm beginning to understand
why they did not include it as a built-in function. There is no need
for it in normal driving. My mazda5 is now like a patient in an icu.
equipped with hear monitor, ecg, blood sugar sensor, blood pressure
etc.

Some of the functions of the unit: (max. 4 can be on the screen)
- liters/100km - current. (changes in realtime)
- average liters/100km - the lower the better.
- liters per hour - (makes you feel guilty burning fuel while idling).

- liters remaining in tank.
- liters used since last fill up.
- distance before tank goes empty (manual advises not to rely on this)
- liters used up for the current trip.
- distance traveled for this trip.
- speed, average, current speed.. which is redundant really.
- GAUGE functions: coolant temp, intake air temp. MAP sensor reading
throttle position sensor. etc..
- SCAN functions (for check engine error codes): - Displays 'NO DATA' and you wish it stays that way.

- There is also a VBB - Vehicle black box that I have not explored yet.
records some 12 trips. Tells you exceeded speed, hard braking, hard
acceleration..

- SETUP functions: for setting time and units (mpg or km).

http://www.msprotege.com/members/skyhawk/gaugesmall.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/skyhawk/CIMG5274sm.jpg

[mazdadude]

I now have another 'driver distraction'. I'm beginning to understand
why they did not include it as a built-in function. There is no need
for it in normal driving. My mazda5 is now like a patient in an icu.
equipped with hear monitor, ecg, blood sugar sensor, blood pressure
etc.

LOL! That is a good description of how I felt when I borrowed my fathers Scangauge, and tried it on my 5. :rolleyes: It was somewhat distracting when I had it installed. However, some new "good" habits emerged, once I saw how a small change to my driving style made a big difference to my overall fuel economy.

(boom06)

[just ang]

That is a neat gadget. My Sienna had one and I really liked it. Honestly, I'm glad that I don't have one, don't want to be reminded of my lead foot! (eekdance)

[Zenderfall]

If you want to get creative I think you could mount it in the cassette location on the radio and have it flush mounted.

I like it on the steering column.

One of the interesting things about SCANGAUGE II that prevents me from getting it is that it doesn't have a standard DIN bracket, allowing for a in-radio factory "look"

If only they had a flush mount DIN bracket I would get one immediately.

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but, I have to ask; don't you guys have a trip meter built into your NAVI like I do??

Don’t get so upset… However.... (scratch)

... that the NAVI system / Radio Station Guide / Maintenance Schedule system / trip meter / Gas mileage monitor / ETC account manager (Exress way toll pay account) and many more screens ... are all in Japanese (Nihongo written language) but boy there are a lot!

Dang, I wish I could read and write Japanese, I only speak it. I know, you’ll say ask the wife, but she’s tried and won’t spend the time to mess with it ... (boom02)

So you guys can’t see the error code screen (So I've been told there is one). ???

Bummer, I’m going to start using mine, just for the Scheduled Maintenance screen alone.

I can put the tire size in and it schedules rotation times, etc. ... I'll post some pictures some day, or better yet a video, if I can figure out the menus on it work, Again.

Anyhow, I know I ask the same question in most threads, ... what else is there that the MP has that the M5 don't, and vice versa?

Peace!(rei)

[Robotaz]

^^^^ I'm so jealous.

[wmzda5]

You lucky guy

[SGT_OKINAWA]

^^^^ I'm so jealous.


You lucky guy

Really? Whoa, I don't think I'd buy the M5 for having
5 doors 6 seats and a radio in the states. I bought my
Premacy because I can't buy a Skyline GT-R and take
wife and two kids to the local supermarket and the
Premacy is a meld between a sports car and a van.

But this makes me want to start a new thread titled:
M5 vs. Premacy features.

Just on features alone, I'm sorry to hear about the trip
meter guys, now we know why some auto makers are
failing in the USA, they FAIL to give the customers what
they want. No?



Peace!(rei)

[wmzda5]

now we know why some auto makers are
failing in the USA, they FAIL to give the customers what
they want. No?

x2

[Robotaz]

^^^ yeah, true, but what I think we are probably unaware of is how the shear vastness of the American auto market affects the thinking behind what the companies offer. Remember, in general, we are a fringe group with all of our concern over the modding details and such. What a model offers is a direct result of wants versus cost. If I recall correctly, I have never seen any model of any vehicle priced lower than the models offered in America. I could be wrong, but that's the way it seems. To get the price so low they have to delete something if they're going to have automatic wipers, LED tails, HIDs, stock body work, etc. Just my $.02.

[avl0471]

Hi, I'm from Russia. We have representatives mazda say so, that would have a trip computer in the M5, it is necessary to buy "information display, with this feature. His code CD89-61-1J0

[Heat]

What does a trip computer do?

[avl0471]

trip computer shows consumption of gasoline, the rest of petrol in the tank and other information

[jatco]

Here is the link from Taiwan Mazda5. That guy is comparing two gas with the trip computer.

http://www.mobile01.com/newsdetail.php?id=8405