Auto Meter 9100 ecometer MPG gauge

[Pilota]

I have installed the Ecometer in a 2009 F-150 and the av. MPG reads high, as most seem to do. I have misplaced the instructions on how to 'calibrate' the device. Could anyone post those instructions for me? As I recall, I need to briefly unplug the device from the truck's computer.

Also, just one time, the 'av MPG' seems to have reverted to a lower number. It did not appear to be a 're-set' since the readout did not change (except over a prolonged period of time) making me think that it was still taking an good average reading, but at that suddenly lower number. I had been comparing the Ecometer with the truck's internal av. MPG readout.

Thanks for your help!

[gone-ot]

...there really isn't a "calibration," just an "efficiency value"--100 is what it comes with from the factory. I had to lower it to 90 for the Vibe.

...the Instruction Manual is needed because it's NOT exactly intuitive as to what must be done to set/reset the "efficiency value"

[Pilota]

O.T.M.,

Thanks for the reply.

I don't have the instruction manual anymore (misplaced) but I think I recall reading that the thing needs to be unplugged from the truck's computer while some sequence of buttons are pushed, after I have calculated the 'factor' that needs to be applied.

Can you post that part of the instructions from the manual?

Thanks.

[gone-ot]

If your ecometer displays a different average MPG value than your calculated value, you can fine tune the ecometer to match the condition of your vehicle by following these steps:

1) Unplug the ecometer plug from your vehicle's OBD port.

2) While pressing down the left button on the ecometer, push the ecometer plug back into the OBD port on your vehicle.

3) The display will show DSP or EFF depending on the type of sensor the vehicle has.

4) If the display shows EFF proceed to step 6. If DSP is on the display, presss the right button once, the current engine displacement (in liters) should be displayed.

5) Press the left button once.

6) The display will show EFF.

7) Push the right button again and the display will change to a value. The ecometer comes pre-programmed from the factory at 100.

8) If the ecometer is calculating too low of a MPG value, push the right button and hold to increase the value to read between 100 and 140. After you have selected the new vehicle efficiency value, press the left button which will save this value and return to operating mode.

9) If the ecometer is calculating too high of a MPG value, push the right button and hold until the display shows a value between 60 and 100. The display will first move from 100 to 140 and then start increasing.

10) Re-run the verification procedure (gas-tank fillup and MPG calculation).

[Pilota]

O.T.M.,

Those instructions were exactly what I was looking for.

I am reading too high at this point and will make the adjustment prior to the next fill-up & will let you know in about 500 miles after that.

Thanks for your help!

[gone-ot]

...hope you have better luck than I did.

...I'm beginning to suspect the problem was due to the Japanese electrons used in the computer (wink,wink).

[Atom Suit]

I just got my ecometer today and i also notice alot of jumping around on the instant MPG and RPM. Also some sort of a delay when i accelerate hard ill see the red bars 2 sec later. as for the avrage mpg ill have 2 wait and see. i have a 2006 toyota tacoma 4cyl

[Nels]

I'm just hitting this thread to ask if any more positive information has been gathered on this unit. I have been looking into buying one, but I hesitated after reading this thread. Maybe a plain old vacuum gauge would be a better use of my $$. Those are a bit cheaper anyway. The plug-in installation and general 'geek factor' kind of pulled me in this direction.

Oooooh, a shiny thing . . . . . . .

[ATaylorRacing]

Originally Posted by jago25_98

Sounds interesting. I wonder where yo got it from.

I'm looking for a cheaper alternative to the Scangauge but I don't want to get into soldering and wiring. It would be much nicer to just plug into the ODB-II port. I really don't want anything other than average MPG.

edit:
I can already plug my Vagcom cable in with my laptop and get some readings, but I can't find anything giving me mpg readings. (cheap vagcom ebay cable, not the real thing)

Try this....I will be getting one. Plugs right in on 96 and newer cars:

Kiwi MPG - Diagnostic Computer Saves Gas, Improve MPG, Fuel Saver, Reset Engine Trouble Codes, Drive Green

[gone-ot]

...it would really be useful to see a "side-by-side" comparison table on these three units, the Kiwi MPG, the AutoMeter 9100 and the ScanGaugeII.

...as they say, "...every dog has his fleas...," and so do different MPG units.

...anybody seen a published "table" comparing these three MPG units?