Scangauge II - Automotive Computer

markopolo · 08-22-2008, 03:17 AM

I bought a Scangauge II Automotive Computer to use in my car and my RV. It arrived by mail today.

http://www.scangauge.com/

It connects by a cable to the OBD II connector near the steering column.

I've always known my 1996 Corolla isn't great on fuel. I set the cruise control on 60 mph (100 kph) on a highway for my first test and the Scangauge showed that my mpg was a steady 18.5 - some of the Sprinter Class B Vans probably do better than my Toyota!

It shows the battery voltage to 14.3 with the motor idling. I just found the gph (gallons per hour) gauge. I did the scan for trouble codes and the car had none. I bought two cables, one for my car and one for my RV.

It is a TOY

for sure!

I haven't tried it on my Chevy Express yet.

Does anyone here have one? What gauges do you display?

Ron J. Moore · 08-23-2008, 03:43 AM

Marko, I installed mine about two weeks ago - truly an eye opener! I bought the extra wire - can run it in my truck and the RT. It didn't take me long to realize that I was heavy footed....all the while I thought I was going light, ha!!! Think it will be a great investment going forward. Ron

markopolo · 08-23-2008, 05:06 AM

Tonight, I had the gauge showing:

RPM..........................MPH

MPG..........................TPS

TPS is throttle position setting (how far the accelerator is pressed) - I hope it will train me to have a "light" foot!

I'll probably try it in my RV this weekend.

I'd like to show KPH (kilometers per hour) with MPG but I think it'll show LHK (liters per hundred kilometers) if I choose KPH from what I've read.

Fun stuff! My wife says it must be a guy thing

markopolo · 09-07-2008, 06:14 AM

Scangauge reports 11.1 mpg on a recent 3hr drive in my Chevy B+ (small Class C) 6L V8. Lots of hills and some 70 mph driving but mostly 60 mph or less.

It looks like I'd have to stay around 55mph to get 12mpg.

Ron J. Moore · 09-18-2008, 02:02 AM

Marko, we took the RT on the road for afew days and used the S/G...the MPG and TPS were eye-openers. The area we travelled is really big on hills and rough roads - it would show as low as 5.9 to highs of 18.9 to 23.7. I find myself really paying attention....great toy, but good teacher!
Oh yeah, the wife put in her share of driving.....and I would hear a sigh, oh wow....no more comments forthcoming from that side of the aisle, ha. Ron

Mike · 11-10-2008, 10:43 PM

Gents,
Looks a cool toy, for sure. I see it can display RPMs as well as the other displays. Do you know if it will display RPMs if the vehicle doesn't have a tachometer? My Roadtrek Chevy chassis (3500 Express van) didn't come equipped with a tach. I've always had tachs on my previous vehicles and kind of miss it in the RT. From an engine stress point of view, I like to know how hard the engine is really working at any given moment.

Mike.

markopolo · 11-11-2008, 04:40 PM

Yes, it should.

There's no tach in my Chevy or my Toyota and it displays the rpms.

Mike · 11-11-2008, 10:18 PM

In that case, I REALLY want one. Don't suppose you know if they're available at retail oulets, or just online? I'll google them, but just thought you may have already looked into it. We're off to Florida tomorrow to see if we can catch the shuttle launch Friday. Then we hope to just lollygag around the state for a few days. Might stop by Mickey's place, if we have time. Just a big kid at heart, I guess. :P

Mike.

lzcamper · 11-14-2008, 11:17 PM

I have a Scanguage II on my '06 Sprinter. It's a great tool that will help you modify your driving technique to increase your MPG and take a load off your engine (LOD function) when it's under stress like driving up a hill or pulling a trailer. There are many times when you put "the pedal to the metal" that you could let up a bit, go almost the same MPH, take a load off the engine (LOD function), and increase the MPG. It's an amazing gadget! You can see that driving 55MPH instead of 70MPG will give you a nice boost in MPG.

Rick

Mike · 11-23-2008, 07:01 PM

I was just watching CNN (Sunday Nov. 23 around 14:30 EST) regarding gas prices and big versus small cars now that gas has cheapened up, and I'm sure they were playing with one of these things to measure gas mileage. Looked very nice. I'm still thinking about getting one. Maybe when the economy recovers........

dutchduo1990 · 01-02-2009, 02:41 AM

Can you use one of these Scangauge units on a 1990 Dodge B250 van.

markopolo · 01-02-2009, 03:21 AM

No. It's not on the list of compatible vehicles.

http://www.scangauge.com/support/Compat ... cles.shtml

You must have an "On-Board-Diagnostic version 2" (OBD2 or OBD II) connector. They weren't required on vehicles before 1996.

Barman · 01-06-2009, 08:59 PM

I have a scangage II that I purchased last fall and am still learning how to use it. I like to watch the RPMs, MPG, volts, and I have recently heard that you can see transmission temp also, but I don't know how to do it yet. I do plan to find out because that one is pretty important to me. I use it exclusively on my RT 190 V.

You may also like: