These days, everyone wants to know how to save gas and money. And as usual, we want to know how to do that easily. A fun new toy, the PLX Kiwi, is the solution on how you can get that much closer to being a hypermiler.
Using sophisticated software in an easy plug-n-play device, the Kiwi plugs into your car’s diagnostic port. It then registers driving habits that waste fuel and tells you what you need to do to get better mileage. Smoothness, drag, acceleration and deceleration are all taken into account, and by paying attention to what score the Kiwi gives in these areas, the average user can alter driving habits and notice a 20% improvement in their gas mileage in just a couple days.
Any car newer than 1996 can use the Kiwi, and even hybrids and alternative fuel cars can become more efficient with the handy gadget. The tiny devise is about the size of a cell phone, and consumes 2 watts of power to operate. Plus, it’s way more sleek looking than the Drivemaster Pro, and the name Kiwi is way more fun.
It looks like using this would make driving so much fun, and a great challenge to see how far you can get a gallon of gas to go. But it also seems like it’d be a little distracting. I’d be so tempted to just watch the screen to see how I’m scoring on green driving, rather than watching the road! But, when you add this to your armory of other gas-saving devices and tricks available, you’re set to be a hypermiler!
UPDATE: Cool news! An EcoGeek author is going to be receiving and testing the Kiwi during the month of August in 4 different cars with 4 different drivers. So stay tuned for reviews on just how well the Kiwi holds up to testing. For now, you'll have to be satisfied with the demo video below from Kiwi.
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written by Proud Human Supremacist, July 10, 2008
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written by The Food Monster, July 11, 2008
My '94 Volvo I imagine won't be able to use this puppy. Sad times. I love being a green driver
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written by Brian the Canadian, July 11, 2008
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written by Craig, July 12, 2008
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written by Brian, July 15, 2008
How about on-screen graphics that look like they belong in a $300 piece of equipment, not Microsoft clipart.
Other than that, the graphs and real time data are fantastic. If they would only integrate the more robust onboard diagnostic features that the scanguage has, they might sell me on it.
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JUL 10
"I love the technology in this little thing, but there is no way I woul..."
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