[ssfblue]

Hey all! This is my first time posting and I am happy to say that I will be getting my Scion xB2 either Thursday or Friday! I am most definitely excited to get it. I will be getting the 2009 Stingray color. For some reason, the color just really grabs me.

Anyway, I had a few questions and any help would be greatly appreciated! I am a complete novice when it comes to cars so my apologies in advance if my questions are confusing (or dumb).

1. I've never really calculated mileage by hand before. My last vehicle was an SUV so I didn't even bother because I knew I'd probably get pissed at the number. I've asked others this but have gotten conflicting answers. What is the best method to manually calculate mileage? I'd also like to determine the difference between what the trip computer gives me and what I calculate myself.

3. Does anyone have the Scion Navigation system installed? If so, how is the experience?

4. How is the special "Scion Security" system better than what comes standard? Should I get that?

5. How are the TRD Oil & Air filters beneficial? As a novice with cards, should I even consider them?

6. (Last one) Is there anything anyone would like to suggest that I MUST/SHOULD have?

EDIT: 7. (ok, really last one) What is the difference between the instantaneous MPG checker and average MPG checker?

Thanks!

 

[yanges]

Welcome to NSxB ssfblue!

i know you are gonna enjoy your new xB!!

i can answer the mileage questions...

to calculate manually - fill your tank and make a note of the mileage at the time [hint: set trip meter A to '0' at this time] also, make sure to reset the average mpg calculator at this time.

when you fill your tank the next time, check trip meter A for mileage driven and divide by gallons of fuel it took to fill it up. there you have it, the mpg for that tank.

then check your mpg calculator and you will have your difference.

mine averages ~1.7 mpg to high, so i just subtract that from the average mpg reading and i know what i am getting accurately at any time :rockon:

as for for the instantaneous checker, it gives you actual mpg at any given moment of driving, whilst the average mpg reading is just that, your average mpg since you last reset the meter.

 

[boblamb58]

1 and 7, I'm not sure aobut the rest.

For MPG, I reset the trip odometer (I use A) at every fill-up. I also try to fill it up, although once in a while that's not possible. All you need to do is divide the miles driven by the amount of gas you put in. I keep track of mine in Excel and let Excel do the calculating. This way it give me long-term MPG, which is a better indication of MPG then a single tankful.



Instantaenous.. I have no idea how that's specifically calculated, but I am sure the RPMs and MPH are 2 of the factors used in this calculation. Average is just that.. I am pretty sure it uses the instantaneous and milage since any reset for that calculation.

I have found that my xB MPG is showing about 1.6 more MPG than actual.

 

[L0stS0ul]

For the navigation system. I'd say skip it. You can buy a stand alone garmin for a lot cheaper and it's a much much better gps device. These built in gps system just don't compete with the stand alone ones.

From what I understand you have to make sure when they put the new tires on the new rims that they use the valve stems from the original tires. I believe that is where all the technology is for the tire monitor.

IMHO the instantaneous MPG thing is not that useful. It fluctuates continuously from 10mpg up to 100mpg on my car. I usually leave mine on the time and only check the trip computer when I have a need to.

My built in MPG checker is about 1 mpg off as well from my checks. Last tank it said I got 31 MPG but when I calculated it myself it was 29.8 mpg.

 

[boblamb58]

For the navigation system. I'd say skip it. You can buy a stand alone garmin for a lot cheaper and it's a much much better gps device. These built in gps system just don't compete with the stand alone ones.

From what I understand you have to make sure when they put the new tires on the new rims that they use the valve stems from the original tires. I believe that is where all the technology is for the tire monitor.

IMHO the instantaneous MPG thing is not that useful. It fluctuates continuously from 10mpg up to 100mpg on my car. I usually leave mine on the time and only check the trip computer when I have a need to.

My built in MPG checker is about 1 mpg off as well from my checks. Last tank it said I got 31 MPG but when I calculated it myself it was 29.8 mpg.

My best tank so far.. 27.6 (once) ; average over 7k miles.. 24.17. How the heck do you get 29.8?!?!

And I have seen my instantaneous go to 90 and no higher. Even coasting downhill in neutral.

GPS: Well, I saw the Navigator sytem work quite well in a Sequoia last Sunday. If it's the same as for Scion it'd be a neat addition, although it's quite expensive. as lostsoul says, go with the portable. Much cheaper and depending on what you get, very easy to update. I have a Tom-Tom, and to update it I plug it into the computer, connect it, and it'll prompt for updates befoe anyting else. Hasn't failed me as long as I stay current with the updates.

 

[Shancopp]

Welcome! Congrats on your new ride.

I have the NAV......only cuz DH wanted it. I'd have gotten the dvd headrests, but I let him win on that one. 2000....yeah, steep, but I'd say beneficial if you do alot of driving where you need directions. I don't very often. But the touchscreen is cool, as is the maintainence records it keeps. I like the look of it indash rather than suction cupped on somewhere.

My .02.

 

[boblamb58]

I like the look of it indash rather than suction cupped on somewhere.

My .02.

If it's a penny for your thoughts, and you put in your 2 cents, where does the other penny go?!?!

Suction cups are for weenies. I like to fumble around looking for it at 65MPH after I drop it on the floor or between the seats.
And I'm cheap.. I'd never pay 2 grand for an accessory

 

[yodar]

A must-have: Aftermarket wheels!
It's a bugger to throw away the wheels and wheel covers that came with the car (they have no trade-in value), so I donated mine to the Good Will; they can sell them for a profit.
Couple of things about getting new aftermarket wheels:
1. Scion doesn't give you many styles from which to choose.
2. That's why I went aftermarket. In the Pacific Northwest we have an excellent tire/wheel company that treats customers right in all ways ... all the time. It's Les Schwab Tires. I got some beautiful wheels with balancing, re-adjusting the low tire pressure monitor, etc., all for less than $150 per wheel.
3. Don't buy new wheels by looking at pictures! Look at the wheels themselves.
The difference between nice-looking wheels and those stock wheel covers is amazing!

 

[bindigok]

I have stringray and I love it!!! Welcome and congrats.

 

[Geezer]

Another vote for an aftermarket GPS rather than the Scion nav system. Besides being billions of dollars cheaper, it's transportable. You can use it in any vehicle. Also in three years, when the new GPS models have more features for less money, it's easy to upgrade. Can't do that with a built in nav system. Downside: an aftermarket GPS may be an invitation to a break-in. Not only should you never leave mounted in the car, you shouldn't leave the mounting bracket "on display" either. Some thieves will even look for the suction cup scar on the inside of your windshield.

I live by the "instantaneous mpg". It provides undeniable proof of how aggressively you're driving. I now drive more for hypermileage than speed. Besides, there's nothing like coasting downhill and seeing "90 mpg" on the display when gas is at $4.25/gallon.

 

[callmemrbill]

Welcome to the site!!!!

I went with the Security System and I like it. I am sure there are aftermarket ones that are the same or better. But I am satisified with the system.

I also have the TRD air Filter. From what I read about it it seemed to be better than an average air filter, so I decided to give it a shot.

As for the MOG thing, I feel the way you did about the SUV, I really dont want to know. I know it is pretty decent so that good enough for me. I just dont want to be stressing about that as well. LOL

I know you will love your xB. Enjoy the car and welcome again to the site.