Newbie from across pond-scangauge2 novice!

[jcp123]

UltraGauge is nice in some ways, but more difficult to use. It took a couple of months for me to nail down how to set up gauge screens and calibrate it properly and quickly at the pump. I do like it slightly better than the SG, but I do dearly miss having the "current" trip reading.

For me the biggest advantages are the fact that it has more PIDs than the SG (having fuel trim data is super awesome for diagnostics!), and the ability to display up to 8 PIDs at a time.

[francis69]

Hi Metro, Yep, already bought the unit. Maybe it is my impatience getting the better of me! Am already thankful for the code reader to let me know if any probs with car etc and the money this alone it will save.

JCP, What are PIDS and fuel trim levels??? Please remember, am at novice level when it comes to using SG2! Have had to rely on pen, paper and calculator until now!

Finally, I emailed SG direct and they replied:

The ScanGauge will convert the fuel economy data from gallons to liters but the tank size will not convert. You cannot enter the tank size in liters and have the data report in gallons. You will have to set it the ScanGauge to either liters or gallons. We recommend that you round down if the tank size is not a whole number. The ScanGaugeII uses Gallons as a unit label, not a unit of measurement. Because of this, it can read in either US or Imperial Gallons without conversion. Make sure all units entered into the ScanGaugeII are consistent, and the readings should remain accurate for US or Imperial Gallons.

So it is upto me whether to set fuel tank at 10 gallons (exact would be 9.7) or round down to 9 gallons, but both of which would give false economy readings...wouldn't they!?

[francis69]

Having just posted the above last post, is there not a function deep within the SG2 electronics that allows the user to make % changes to allow for these types of discrepancies? Similar to the ones gthat I have read where you can take into account the size of the tyres and the like?

My only problem is working out whereabouts on the SG2 menu I find this and obviously the calculation or formulae I need to obtain as precise a readout as possible!!!

Hopefully am onto something, and even more hoping somebody can clarify this and helpout!!!

[MetroMPG]

There are settings to fine tune your speedometer/odometer, and to fine tune fuel consumption. But not tank size.

[jcp123]

Sorry. PIDs = parameter IDs. Strictly speaking, this is any data read directly from any sensor on the vehicle by the computer. Examples would be throttle position, ignition timing, coolant temperature, and the like. I use the term more loosely to include anything a UG or SG would display, including numbers calculated from those raw sensor inputs like MPG, engine load, and the like.

ScanGauge on its own has 16 "things" or PIDs it can display (xgauge capability is completely different, based on advanced "mode 6" diagnostics, and will be ignored for now. It is best for ASE master technicians and advanced ecomodders). UG can support up to 77 different "things" or PIDs to display. More data = better, because even if you don't understand how to use it now, you can always learn at some point.

Fuel trim is basically your computer's compensation for real world conditions. It shows how much % of fuel it has to add or subtract from the computer's baseline, pie-in-the-sky, ideal conditions programming. As a budding DIY mechanic, it is a really good basic piece of information to use in diagnosing problems. Even pro technicians will usually use it as the first thing they look at after check engine light trouble codes to help diagnose a lot of running problems, especially where misfires are concerned.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by francis69

So it is upto me whether to set fuel tank at 10 gallons (exact would be 9.7) or round down to 9 gallons, but both of which would give false economy readings...wouldn't they!?

It will only affect your distance to empty.

[jcp123]

I stay on the conservative side...11,9g tank plus I stuff it for a grand total of ~12,7g. But I set my UG for 11,3, partly because the guess gauge doesn't work right. It's good to know you have some reserve in the tank.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

It will only affect your distance to empty.

Right. No impact on instant/average MPG readings.