Large Scale Central

Measuring the Impact of Instant MPG Info

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/01/measuring-the-impact-of-instant-mpg-info

"Chuck Squatriglia, Wired Magazine" said:
Although some studies have shown that next-gen dashboard displays make us more-efficient drivers, none of them has created a baseline of driver behavior from which to truly compare the changes. Researchers at University of California campuses at Berkeley, Riverside and Davis have launched a study to do just that. They want to see how much drivers change their behavior in the face of instant feedback on the efficiency of their driving habits.

Some digital dashes in the 1980s had MPG readouts.

I added a vacuum gauge to my car in the mid 1970s.

It really helps you to accelerate smoothly, which saves gas.

Joe.
I will second that comment about the vacuum gauge. I too have one fitted to my 1976 LTD. I tend to drive a little more conservatively as a result. Mainly because the 351" cu in Cleveland gobbles up fuel more quickly if I don’t.