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"Does the ScanGuage work when the key is off?"
I've only performed EOC a handful of times and my SG turned off after about 5 seconds, which is what it normally does when I park and shut down. My assumption is it can't record distance since it reads from the ECU and if the electrical is shut down, then so is the ECU, thus no data from the EOC period. I will say I am not certain on this, perhaps there's a short period after shutoff where the ECU continues to register data, but I doubt it.
"Secondly, am I damaging my transmission by coasting in gear with the engine off when it is cold? It doesn't seem like it."
I'm no transmission expert, by any stretch. However I recently had to replace the valve body on my VW 01M transmission and have researched my transmission extensively, so I have a basic understanding of how mine works, which may vary greatly from yours.
In general, I have not employed EOC because I was concerned about damaging the transmission during long coasts (minutes at times) by not having the added benefit of fluid pumping as efficiently as with the engine on. I monitor my tranny fluid temp with my SG and know that even coasting in neutral with the engine on creates a temporary bump in TFT by 2 to 5 degrees. As a rebuilt/new transmission repair is expensive, I don't take the chance of the TFT rising even higher by going EOC. Perhaps I'm overly-cautious, but I know that sustained high TFT can do significant harm.
That said, there are plenty of hypermilers employing EOC daily with high-mileage vehicles with no apparent adverse effects. My guess is it probably has more to do with specific transmission tolerances, the amount of time during EOC periods and driving conditions' effect on higher TFTs. (Going EOC during winter months probably produces lower TFT increases than doing so in sweltering heat.)
I look forward to reading others' differing opinions. Welcome to the forums! (I'm a Noob, too!)
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