US Gallons versus UK Gallons

[Clootie]

All

I've been pointed to a recent article in the UK Sunday Times (Kia Sportage review | Used Car Reviews | Driving - Times Online) in which motor journo Jason Dawe tested the Sportage (favourably) and the article contained the obligatory 'what to watch out for' list. This one spotted my eye:

ONBOARD COMPUTER Some UK cars were incorrectly calibrated to show US gallons, which may give inaccurate mpg readings

Now although not a solution obviously, could this explain poor MPG readout. A US gallon is smaller than a UK meaning my measly MPG readout effectively gets a boost using UK gallons.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Can it be reset to UK? ...so many questions

Many thanks for the barrage of helpful responses as always.

Cloots.

[pips]

According to Wikipedia a UK Gallon is equivalent to 4.54 litres and a US Gallon is 3.7854 liters.

So taking this into account, I have modified my Excel spreadsheet where I record my fuel fillups to work out actual MPG, and I get the following comparisons:-

UK ---- US
===========
21.5 - 17.9
37.8 - 31.5
31.6 - 26.3
46.6 - 38.9
33.0 - 27.5
28.5 - 23.7
32.0 - 26.6
25.3 - 21.1
29.0 - 24.1
33.6 - 28.0
26.4 - 22.0
33.2 - 27.7
27.5 - 22.9
30.0 - 25.1
30.1 - 25.1
27.1 - 22.6
29.9 - 24.9
28.4 - 23.6
33.5 - 27.9
32.5 - 27.1
23.8 - 19.8
49.4 - 41.2
28.3 - 23.6

[starlitz]

Hi People,

On the subject of the trip computer, my 06 XS diesel did not have one, they (KIa) told me it was a trade off for the 6 speed manual gearbox.

1. I get around 35 UK MPG on a mixed run, motorway and town driving
2. I know there was issues with incorrect MPG showing on earlier models fitted with the computer.
3. Kia (dealers) tell me they cannot reprogram those vehicle that have it and it would cost 1500 UKPounds to fit it.

Any Helps???????

[pips]

I would have thought that if you buy a UK spec car and one of the readouts is not in UK gallons, then it is not fit for purpose! Have a word with your local trading standards office, as I'm sure (but I'm not an expert) they are obliged to put it right.... If it's their mistake, they can't expect you to pay to have it put right!

Cheers,
Phil.

[Clootie]

An update folks on my continuing investigations:

1. The UK / US gallon issue may have been subject to a technical bulletin but I haven't been able to find it yet

2. Apparently Hyundai have acknowledged the issue with the Tucson (which you'll all be aware is basically the same car....I'll probably get shot down for that but you know what I mean ) but are unlikely to fix it but at least we know it exists.

3. Another review of the car detailing the fault refers to a UK gallons software update. I'm trying to find that.

I'll keep looking and let you know if I hit the jackpot.

Cloots.