Anyone using a ScanGauge?

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:18 am

I've been thinking about buying this gage to see my mileage while I drive, and allow me to perform other tasks. Any of you guys using one of these?

http://www.scangauge.com/

DoPeY5007 · Post by **DoPeY5007** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:46 am

Looks cool

a little too much $ for me to try and pick one up. And out car give an almost accurate mileage readout. I wonder if this would be better.

Err · Post by **Err** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:59 am

That's a nice find and much cheaper than the MSD Dash hawk. I've never used either. The overall reviews on Amazon are positive:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AAMY86

One negative review complained that the device will give codes with no information as to what they mean. I don't know what he expects for an OBD scanner for under $200. You can easily find the codes for most cars online.

This is a step up from the one I had for my 86 mustang. You had to count the number of times the light flashed to get any codes.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:19 am

My '95 Volvo turbo wgn has a built-in trip computer which displays instant mileage too but that info is pretty much useless. You know that when your foot's in it, you're using more gas and when coasting, less gas. It also displays average mileage but I've found that it's inaccurate when checked vs the old fashion way, take miles driven and divide by gallons used when refilling (better mileage than what the trip computer was telling me).
The only things I like about it is the outdoor temp and miles to zero readouts.
As for any upcoming diagnostic codes, no need to watch or know anything until the CEL comes on, then use an inexpensive scan tool OR just get it read for free at a parts store like Autozone.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:37 pm

I was thinking that by having it display instant mileage that I would be more incline to keep my foot off the gas petal. I drive a Ford F150 Crew Cab 2001. I was getting about 14/15 mpg, but a couple of weeks ago, I discovered that my fan clutch was not working properly, which meant the fan was on all the time, thus using horsepower when it was not needed. Simply replacing it with a new one increased it to 17/18 mpg.

Err · Post by **Err** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:06 pm

Executioner wrote:I was thinking that by having it display instant mileage that I would be more incline to keep my foot off the gas petal. I drive a Ford F150 Crew Cab 2001. I was getting about 14/15 mpg, but a couple of weeks ago, I discovered that my fan clutch was not working properly, which meant the fan was on all the time, thus using horsepower when it was not needed. Simply replacing it with a new one increased it to 17/18 mpg.

I didn't know that mechanical fans were even used anymore. Installing an electric fan would help your mileage even more.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:40 pm

What Err said.. Those fan clutches in F-150s are HORRIBLE about going out. And it's a PITA to swap them out too.. I'd look into getting an electric one, your might be pleasantly surprised.

As far as the gauge thing goes.. I don't know that I trust them. Mythbusters has done a few different shows (not on gauges) that make me wonder about them. In one, they tried to determine if they get better mileage with the A/C on or the A/C off and the windows down. They hooked up a computer to them and determined they got the "same" mileage in both conditions. But, when they tested it on a track, the one with the A/C on ran out of gas first. So the computer was not "right". Or at least it would seem. In a more recent episode they are testing out how drafting affects your gas mileage. They're using a Dodge Magnum (I also have a Dodge Magnum, identical in every way except color to their test vehicle) and they're going by a computer that is hooked up to the car to determine the mileage. Well, they determined that following an Semi at about 50ft improved their mileage by something like 47% and 30~% at 100ft. Well, I drive a 20mile stretch of road at least 5 or 6 times a week due to work. So, I decided to test it and see if it was really true. I got a laser tape measure and found a Semi and stayed behind it at about 75ft for the entire trip with the cruise set to like 64 (that is what the semi was doing and I occasionally had to adjust it but only a few times). While my mileage increased, it wasn't even close to what they were claiming. It was actually about 10% if that. And I've tested it about 8 times since I saw the episode and never more than a 10% change. Quite often it was less than that. I tested it by filling up the gas tank when I left town and filling it up when I got to where I was going. It takes less than a gallon for the trip, but the math doesn't lie. I have been debating on posting on their forums about my suspicions to the way the computer calculates the mileage vs. real road tests and seeing what they say heh.. So... That is why I dunno if I trust these gauges. lol

eGo

Err · Post by **Err** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:06 pm

eGoCeNTRoNiX wrote:What Err said.. Those fan clutches in F-150s are HORRIBLE about going out. And it's a PITA to swap them out too.. I'd look into getting an electric one, your might be pleasantly surprised.

As far as the gauge thing goes.. I don't know that I trust them. Mythbusters has done a few different shows (not on gauges) that make me wonder about them. In one, they tried to determine if they get better mileage with the A/C on or the A/C off and the windows down. They hooked up a computer to them and determined they got the "same" mileage in both conditions. But, when they tested it on a track, the one with the A/C on ran out of gas first. So the computer was not "right". Or at least it would seem. In a more recent episode they are testing out how drafting affects your gas mileage. They're using a Dodge Magnum (I also have a Dodge Magnum, identical in every way except color to their test vehicle) and they're going by a computer that is hooked up to the car to determine the mileage. Well, they determined that following an Semi at about 50ft improved their mileage by something like 47% and 30~% at 100ft. Well, I drive a 20mile stretch of road at least 5 or 6 times a week due to work. So, I decided to test it and see if it was really true. I got a laser tape measure and found a Semi and stayed behind it at about 75ft for the entire trip with the cruise set to like 64 (that is what the semi was doing and I occasionally had to adjust it but only a few times). While my mileage increased, it wasn't even close to what they were claiming. It was actually about 10% if that. And I've tested it about 8 times since I saw the episode and never more than a 10% change. Quite often it was less than that. I tested it by filling up the gas tank when I left town and filling it up when I got to where I was going. It takes less than a gallon for the trip, but the math doesn't lie. I have been debating on posting on their forums about my suspicions to the way the computer calculates the mileage vs. real road tests and seeing what they say heh.. So... That is why I dunno if I trust these gauges. lol

eGo

I'm with you on the real world tests. I don't believe you can get 40 mpg from a Magnum by drafting. They should have done the testing like they did for the show when they tested all the fuel gadgets. Put a measured amount of gas in, run the test for 1 mile and see what's left.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:35 am

I have a VAG-com for my car. but thats a VW tool and wont work too well on other makes. I can get all kinds of data out of my ECU and display it on my laptop.