vinovelo Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Hi all, This power meter thingy on the dash cluster. What is it really telling me. The owners manual says is displays the power output of the hybrid system in Kilowatts. I understand that but what does it really mean in terms of power or efficiency to the drive wheels. So far I have only noticed it get near 100 inder moderate or heavy acceleration. I would have liked to see a tachometer instead. It would be interesting to see what the engine is doing with the CVT tranny. I'm almost tempted to put in an aftermarket one if I could find on that would compliment the interior and dash. /Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RX400h Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I think having a power meter is somewhat akin to having a boost gauge in a supercharged vehicle - very entertaining! Also, to me, having a tachometer is essential if the vehicle has either a manual transmission or has paddle shifters with an auto tranny. Having a tach in a CVT-equipped vehicle isn't going to help you drive more efficiently; that's accomplished by watching the power distribution animated graphics on the center display, along with the instantaneous MPG numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinovelo Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 I think having a power meter is somewhat akin to having a boost gauge in a supercharged vehicle - very entertaining! Also, to me, having a tachometer is essential if the vehicle has either a manual transmission or has paddle shifters with an auto tranny. Having a tach in a CVT-equipped vehicle isn't going to help you drive more efficiently; that's accomplished by watching the power distribution animated graphics on the center display, along with the instantaneous MPG numbers. OK, Now that starts to make a little sense. I have a (highly) modified 94 Mazda Miata with a supercharger that I installed and am quite aware of the value of the boost gauge. Come to think about it if I stomp on the RX400h the power meter does seem to respond in much the same way as the boost gauge I installed on the Miata does. This tells me that the electric motors may be contributing quite a bit of power/torque under heavy acceleration. It certianly feels that way. Unfortunately the owners manual doesn't help you to understand that. /Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Nazium Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I think having a power meter is somewhat akin to having a boost gauge in a supercharged vehicle - very entertaining! Also, to me, having a tachometer is essential if the vehicle has either a manual transmission or has paddle shifters with an auto tranny. Having a tach in a CVT-equipped vehicle isn't going to help you drive more efficiently; that's accomplished by watching the power distribution animated graphics on the center display, along with the instantaneous MPG numbers. OK, Now that starts to make a little sense. I have a (highly) modified 94 Mazda Miata with a supercharger that I installed and am quite aware of the value of the boost gauge. Come to think about it if I stomp on the RX400h the power meter does seem to respond in much the same way as the boost gauge I installed on the Miata does. This tells me that the electric motors may be contributing quite a bit of power/torque under heavy acceleration. It certianly feels that way. Unfortunately the owners manual doesn't help you to understand that. /Steve Also, a Tachometer with a powertrain using a CVT transmission is rather disinteresting as well, seeing as how the CVT really maintains the rev's at a constant level throughout the acceleration process... i.e. 2000rpm from start to 55mph or so... Cheers, MadloR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williz Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I think having a power meter is somewhat akin to having a boost gauge in a supercharged vehicle - very entertaining! Also, to me, having a tachometer is essential if the vehicle has either a manual transmission or has paddle shifters with an auto tranny. Having a tach in a CVT-equipped vehicle isn't going to help you drive more efficiently; that's accomplished by watching the power distribution animated graphics on the center display, along with the instantaneous MPG numbers. OK, Now that starts to make a little sense. I have a (highly) modified 94 Mazda Miata with a supercharger that I installed and am quite aware of the value of the boost gauge. Come to think about it if I stomp on the RX400h the power meter does seem to respond in much the same way as the boost gauge I installed on the Miata does. This tells me that the electric motors may be contributing quite a bit of power/torque under heavy acceleration. It certianly feels that way. Unfortunately the owners manual doesn't help you to understand that. /Steve if you like to see some more information like engine revs. engine temp, charging voltage (for the 12V System), exact speed of car.... and some more you can use the SCANGAGE II. it works great in the RX400h. have a look here Scangage II Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXREY Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I think having a power meter is somewhat akin to having a boost gauge in a supercharged vehicle - very entertaining! Also, to me, having a tachometer is essential if the vehicle has either a manual transmission or has paddle shifters with an auto tranny. Having a tach in a CVT-equipped vehicle isn't going to help you drive more efficiently; that's accomplished by watching the power distribution animated graphics on the center display, along with the instantaneous MPG numbers. OK, Now that starts to make a little sense. I have a (highly) modified 94 Mazda Miata with a supercharger that I installed and am quite aware of the value of the boost gauge. Come to think about it if I stomp on the RX400h the power meter does seem to respond in much the same way as the boost gauge I installed on the Miata does. This tells me that the electric motors may be contributing quite a bit of power/torque under heavy acceleration. It certianly feels that way. Unfortunately the owners manual doesn't help you to understand that. /Steve if you like to see some more information like engine revs. engine temp, charging voltage (for the 12V System), exact speed of car.... and some more you can use the SCANGAGE II. it works great in the RX400h. have a look here Scangage II Wow, Scangage looks pretty interesting...does it plug into the cigarette lighter or the other plug under the dash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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