Car PC, Power and gas question

**tryme** · 12-16-2005, 03:52 PM

I wonder if installing a car pc will make much different in gas consumsion. Before i install a car pc on my RAV4 I can make about 320miles on a full tank (high way) after installed a car pc , i only get about 260miles on a full tank. Did any one have the same problem?
I am not driving any long trip for now. so I didn't test it again with the carpc off.

**TruckinMP3** · 12-16-2005, 06:38 PM

That would be strange.
What other things changed? Payload, Wind speed and direction, Day/night?

I would bet the PC draws less power than the headlights.

**thanatos106** · 12-16-2005, 06:56 PM

Long reading to do

:

Does using pc's in your vehicle cause increased fuel use?

Thanatos.

**Curiosity** · 12-16-2005, 08:56 PM

If you have daytime running lights, you might want to consider switching them out with even generic LED drop-in replacements. That saves almost 4 amps right there so it's just about the same as before the PC, if you look at it that way.

**billmee** · 12-16-2005, 10:17 PM

Does your car have a tachometer?
If so do you see a difference in idle rpms when the pc is switched on?

My carpc draws less than my headlights so I never considered the fuel economy of it.

**tryme** · 12-17-2005, 05:28 AM

I don't remember other thing that is different. I did need to start the car and set up my pc for the trip but it wouldn't take more then 10 min, and I did make two more stop to the bath room..... If i have the chance to take the trip again. I will try to use the carpc for going and no carpc for comming back.

**billmee** · 12-17-2005, 07:19 AM

Don't forget about things unrelated to the pc
tire pressure
driving style

**lez** · 12-17-2005, 07:58 AM

rpm wont show a thing on modern cars, the ECU will see the rpm drop and give it more gas to maintain the rpm.

cars first had that about 20 years ago.