SG2 worth it for a xa? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

hyperhall · 10-02-2008, 10:25 AM

I ordered a Scan Gauge 2, then I started to look through all the issues with them. Now I am worried that it will not be worth my time. I see that people are having a hard time getting them to be accurate. I have a 2006 xa is it accurate for my car?

dcb · 10-02-2008, 10:44 AM

Here's another ecomodder with an XA and a scangauge.
Scion XA in PA

I expect it would pay for itself in short order.

Daox · 10-02-2008, 10:47 AM

Its definitly worth it. You won't be sorry.

What issues are you concerned about?

groar · 10-02-2008, 11:12 AM

Even if your SG2 isn't accurate, it will give you ideas of what is happening in your engine.

Imagine that the SG2 is in an unknown unit but linear with your reality. If you maximize SG2's counters, you maximize your fuel economy. This is what people driving with a vacuum gauge are doing.

How many miles do you drive by week ?

For anyone who says they can't afford a ScanGauge...

You will always be able to lend it, rent it or sell it. In all cases another people will save gas and it will be added to the gas you'll save.

I would like to be able to see inside my engine in real time. Now I'm only seeing it every two weeks, and to have such a high frequency I fill at half tank.

Denis.

hyperhall · 10-02-2008, 12:23 PM

well, I was concerned about the accuracy of the sg2. Right now I out of work due to a knee injury. I stumbled upon this site while recovering. I have been driving quite a bit for appointments and rehab. Since money is tight I decided to try to drive smarter.

After taking off my aftermarket wheels and taking my time I have Increased my milage quite a bit. I was getting 31 mpg, now I'm almost at 37 mpg. I figured with a SG2 i could maybe get another mile or so out of my car.

My car was never built up as a eco car. I built it for more comfort and looks. wheels, sound system, sound insulation, lowering springs, strut bar, and some interior lighting. I never put any performance mods on the car like headers or a intake.

i_am_socket · 10-02-2008, 12:32 PM

You should be able to hit 40 with a SG (or any other instrumentation) providing real-time feedback. I'm pretty anxious to get mine going.

Z man · 10-02-2008, 06:33 PM

I just got one and it's definitely worth it. You wont regret buying one. It's not accurate yet but I kind of like when it overreports my mileage, I like seeing it say 55 or 60mpg when I'm just cruising down the road. I made it more accurate after the last fill and it now reports 35-45mpg. I feel like that isn't good but I'm probably doing just as well. It works instantly for improving FE.

It does make you want to drive slowwww.

hyperhall · 10-02-2008, 07:33 PM

well, I guess I will see how i like it. they do offer a 30 day return period so..... I think it is a win win situation.

NeilBlanchard · 10-02-2008, 09:50 PM

Hi,

I have an xA and a SGII, and it is very helpful. It took a few tankfuls to calibrate it, but that is the case for any car. I mapped one of the X-Gauge readings (average MPG) so that I can have it on the main screen along with the instant MPG. I also use the throttle position, and the coolant temp; which helps a lot since the xA doesn't have a temp gauge.

You'll be glad you got it! Check out my thread on aero mods for the xA. The grill block and fog light lens helped a lot, as did the zigzag tape at the top of the windshield.

Z man · 10-02-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hi,

I have an xA and a SGII, and it is very helpful. It took a few tankfuls to calibrate it, but that is the case for any car. I mapped one of the X-Gauge readings (average MPG) so that I can have it on the main screen along with the instant MPG. I also use the throttle position, and the coolant temp; which helps a lot since the xA doesn't have a temp gauge.

You'll be glad you got it! Check out my thread on aero mods for the xA. The grill block and fog light lens helped a lot, as did the zigzag tape at the top of the windshield.

Average MPG? I need to program that one.

I don't see the codes for it on http://www.scangauge.com/support/pdfs/XGAUGE.pdf.

NeilBlanchard · 10-03-2008, 11:41 PM

Hi,

On page 28 of the manual, it is 0 -- it's the instructions on the pages that precede this that are tough to follow.

They should have average MPG pre-programed since it is virtually the main thing that you want to see all the time.

azraelswrd · 10-04-2008, 02:20 AM

topic: yeah, it's worth it if you give it a chance but remember that it's not Holy Writ when it comes to accuracy. Nothing beats tank-to-tank/odometer calculations for tank mpgs.

Takes about 2 tanks to be "accurate" but the instantaneous feedback on fuel consumption is critical, especially if you use it to curb or alter your driving habits. As for xgauges, I prefer to have my TANK AVG MPG visible. The codes for them are either in the manual or on the linear logic website.

...and yes, I drive an xA. Before scanguage, my best mpg was 38. After scangauge, my best was 43 mpg.

hyperhall · 10-04-2008, 10:07 AM

It should be in the mail today. Can't wait to get down to the post office to find out. just yesterday i filled up and I got a record high of 38 mpg, which i think is great for me. Before I was only getting around 32 mpg. If the scan Gauge makes it possible to get 40 mpg I will be happy.

NeilBlanchard · 10-04-2008, 10:21 AM

Hi,

I'm sure that you can hit 40mpg. You can get int to the low 40's just by driving right. If you add the front grill block (especially during the winter), and cover the fog light openings, then you might add 3-4mpg on that. The next best mod, IMO is the zigzag tape on the top of the windshield, and possible the mirrors, as well.

My summer goal is 50mpg, and I'm going to try to keep my winter mpg average above 40mpg. Before I knew how to ecodrive, I got as low as 32mpg in the winter, and the best summer mpg was just shy of 42mpg.

What RPM's does your automatic give you at 55mph?

hyperhall · 10-04-2008, 11:35 AM

my 55 mph RPM is around 2200. As far as the grill block and the fog light covers, i think they really make the car look silly. I might fab up a new grill made of aluminum them paint it to match. Also I recently had to replace my bumper cover (cracked it last winter) and I'm using my front plate as a partial lower grill block. Right now I'm thinking of a good way to cover the fog holes. The 06 front bumper is a lot different.

hyperhall · 10-04-2008, 01:39 PM

I got the sg2 in the mail and installed it. Will try to get some pictures up later. It was easy to set up but I'm slightly confused about the speed calibration. I'm going to go for a drive in a bit to see how it works out for me. Will post my results later.

hyperhall · 10-04-2008, 03:18 PM

I lied about the rpms.... just went for a drive and my 55 mph rpm is 2450 ish. The Scan gauge seems to be working well. the speed is right on. If im going 60 on my dash it says 60 on the SG. I think the mpg is just about right as well. On the high way going 55 it said i was getting around 45 mpg. The only concern i have with the unit is that some times going down hill it will read 9999 mpg. I think that needs to be adjusted but i have no idea how.

groar · 10-04-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperhall

The only concern i have with the unit is that some times going down hill it will read 9999 mpg. I think that needs to be adjusted but i have no idea how.

So it works well. This is the fuel cut-off, aka DFCO. When you are decelerating and the rpm is over a predefined threshold then the injectors are stopped by the ECU. You are then consuming no gas

Denis.

TestDrive · 10-04-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperhall

The only concern i have with the unit is that some times going down hill it will read 9999 mpg. I think that needs to be adjusted but i have no idea how.

Probably not.

In Gear + Throttle Closed + Engine RPM above xxxx = ECU automatically stops injecting fuel

hyperhall · 10-04-2008, 03:43 PM

well, that is good to know.