For anyone who says they can't afford a ScanGauge... - Page 5 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

solarguy · 09-23-2009, 01:42 PM

Their compatibility chart suggests that the scangauge would correctly report my FE on my '04 diesel jetta vw.

Could anybody confirm that?

Since I burn biodiesel 90% of the time, I have no good way to evaluate fuel economy even at fill ups.

Thanks,

troy

PaleMelanesian · 09-23-2009, 02:14 PM

Unfortunately, no. The scangauge uses air flow and calculates fuel usage from that. If the car runs on a different fuel/air ratio, or like yours, a variable ratio, it will be incorrect. The problem is that the actual fuel injector information is not an OBD-II spec data point, so none of the carmakers report it.

Can you not measure the Bio as you fill it?

Ryanrpm · 09-23-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christ

...

You probably get this a lot.......but why did you choose your username to be "Christ"?

Christ · 09-23-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easy

Christ,

This is from the scanguageII compatibility list:

1997 WORKS ON ALL EXCEPT: Ford, GM and Dodge trucks with diesel engines.

Ford Explorer and Ranger - No Speed, Distance or Fuel Economy information (MPH, MPG, Miles driven).

1998 WORKS ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT: Ford Explorer and Ranger - No Speed, Distance or Fuel Economy information (MPH, MPG, Miles driven).

Oh yeah, mechanical components... mibad - I forgot Ford was behind the times at that point.

Christ · 09-23-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryanrpm

You probably get this a lot.......but why did you choose your username to be "Christ"?

It's my real name, minus a few characters. Chris is entirely too common, although it revels the same pronunciation as Christ, when you silence the T, as most do.

The way my name is pronounced leaves the I as a short vowel instead of an enunciated long vowel. In other words, it's Chris with a "t" sound at the end. Christ. (The T sound mimics the sound at the end of words like "At", "Eat", "Bat".)

I'm agnostic - it has nothing to do with religion.

solarguy · 09-23-2009, 05:29 PM

"Can you not measure the Bio as you fill it?"

Not accurately. Cheapo flow meters often are inaccurate at low flow rates like I would have. Also, biodiesel damages a number of common polymers and would likely eat a cheap flow meter in a week. Gas cans hold approximately five gallons, but how do you estimate that last half can? I have a volumetric flask, but filling the tank one liter at a time would be, ahhhh, tedious to say the least.

I'm open to suggestions if I have overlooked an accurate and inexpensive and elegant solution to measuring my fill ups.

Finest regards,

troy

ps, Oh yeah, I cook my own biodiesel, so this is not from a commercial station with a certified pump/meter.

tr

rmay635703 · 09-23-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtpmike

I put that JC Whitney coupon in and shipping was not free. $127.99 then $20 shipping. There is another code to enter in order to get free shipping, but it only allows one code per order.

The JC Whitney thing should be posted as a sticky.

Anyway DO NOT USE OLD CODES, you need to search on google for the current 20% off and free shipping code IT DOES CHANGE but is always posted somewhere on the internet, remember that it DOES NOT RUN EVERY MONTH BUT ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH, be patient and JC Whitney will deliver,

Save yourself money and take 5 minutes to look up the current codes, occasionally they have even beter coupons, also remember that free shipping is only on specific shipping methods, you pay for speed and if the special isn't running this month, wait till next month and it will.

Also free shipping is not to Canadia or anywhere but the lower 48.

Cheers
Ryan