The trip computer in the 2000 ML has an interesting mode where it gives me instantaneous miles/gallon readout. It will also show the average miles per gallon.

My question is regarding the accuracy of this computer, because if it is accurate then my driving habits must change.

What I see is this: on "normal" acceleration, the computer shows anywhere from 7.5 - 8.1 miles/gallon. If I "baby" it, it still only shows about 8-9 mi/gl?? If I stomp on int the mileage is high 6's to low 7's.

All these readings seem relatively correct, however, if they are accurate, I think you can see that there is little point to feathering the pedal.

So my techie friends, what gives?

__________________
Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

Ed,
I am no techie, but I can tell you that your readings are accurate. What balances out these high acceleration MPGs is the coasting and coming to a stop.
So it's normal!!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Hey David,

Wassup? Since no one else could answer any better than you, you're promoted to Techie!

If you're right, then there is no real way to economize on acceleration in this vehicle. I might as well stomp on it for the 2mi/gl difference.

The next ML you see moving 0-60 in eight seconds or so, could be me...

__________________
Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

Ed,
Thanks for promoting me... that'll go on my resume!

Yeah, I know, when you have a trip computer and you look at acceleration it's really bad. But when you're coasting it's nice, because it can say anywhere from 30 mpg to 99 mpg down a long hill!! So look at it when you're not on the gas.

BTW, will you be attending the next SoCA Mercedesshop meeting? Date and Location TBD. Def. on a wkend though!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)