ScanGauge : which gauges you choose?

[Jack-MTL]

I have a ScanGauge II, about 6 years old. I will have it's firmware updated soon and I was wondering: which gauges do you usually put on display.

Currently, I have LHK and LPH permanently displayed. For the other two, sometimes it's average fuel economy (current trip), sometimes Engine load or TPS.

I'd like to know which gauges you watch and the reason behind the choice to try to help me choose good gauges to better my efficiency!

Thanks!

[mcrews]

Welcome Jack!
Don't forget to raise your psi also.

did you try a search. several threads on this topic.

Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - Search Results

also the first link in my signature

[Jack-MTL]

Thanks for the quick reply and the very interesting thread you suggested! I'll raise my PSI as soon as I go to a gasstation that isn't charging 1$ for air, propably this weekend.

[mcrews]

I bought a small compressor at a discount store "big lots' in the states.
also Harbor Freight has them.

[cbaber]

LOD - Whatever driving style you prefer, monitoring engine load is important. I have learned to control the amount of engine load up hills to limit wasting gas. For example, keep a lower engine load up a hill and allow speed to taper off, rather than hold speed the entire way up.

VLT - I display battery voltage primary because I plan to implement my alternator delete project soon, and will need to monitor the charge to not damage the battery.

MPG - Instant MPG is helpful just to gauge how you are driving. Instant MPG is not as instant as LOD, so I usually use LOD to control how much throttle I apply. But MPG is helpful when you want to know how current conditions are directly effecting MPG.

LB - I have entered this xGauge to monitor the primary o2 sensor reading. This is useful on lean burn engines because it will tell you when lean burn is engaged. It's not useful for non lean burn cars.

[Jack-MTL]

Originally Posted by mcrews

I bought a small compressor at a discount store "big lots' in the states.
also Harbor Freight has them.

That's not really doable for me as I live in a third floor appartment and I wouldn't have any place to store it.

As soon as I buy a house, I'll buy my own for sure!

cbaber, LOD is a good idea, my van doesn't do lean burn, but it does DFCO and I see it on the LPH setting when it drop to 0.00.

[101Volts]

Top Left: Instant MPG Top Right: GPH
Bottom Left: AVG MPG Bottom Right: IGN/LOD

That's how I have it today. I recently started using the GPH gauge.

*Note - IGn/LOD meaning that I might have it at one or the other.

[Occasionally6]

Originally Posted by Jack-MTL

That's not really doable for me as I live in a third floor appartment and I wouldn't have any place to store it.

As soon as I buy a house, I'll buy my own for sure!

cbaber, LOD is a good idea, my van doesn't do lean burn, but it does DFCO and I see it on the LPH setting when it drop to 0.00.

I don't know what mcrews was referring to but you can buy adequate compressors suitable for inflating tires that will fit in a shoe box. They run off 12V so you can use the cigarette lighter/accessory plug in the car or clamp onto the battery posts.

They do draw quite a lot of current, (mine draws 20A) so consider that if your battery is old or marginal or the accessory plug is rated at less than that. Most aren't.

Avoid the really cheap -like ~$20 - compressors as they are noisy and slow to inflate the tire. The ones I'm describing have a die cast cylinder and fairly substantial construction.

Re. Scan Gauge display:

Instantaneous MPG

Current trip MPG

MAP

Coolant temp..

The MAP is the most useful in allowing driving with the right amount of engine load. (LOD isn't as easy to interpret for me.) Instantaneous MPG is not really useful, except for when coasting, where it gives an indication of open loop operation (0 MPG) and consumption vs coast speed while idle coasting, but is interesting. Current trip MPG tells me how I'm doing and my car doesn't have a coolant temp. gauge.

[HyperMileQC]

-Engine loading (LOD)
-Throttle position sensor (TPS)
-Water temperature (°cWT)
-12v Battery voltage (VLT) / Engine RPM / Intake air temperature (°cIA)

I wish TPS and LOD had decimals...

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Jack-MTL

That's not really doable for me as I live in a third floor appartment and I wouldn't have any place to store it.

As soon as I buy a house, I'll buy my own for sure!

cbaber, LOD is a good idea, my van doesn't do lean burn, but it does DFCO and I see it on the LPH setting when it drop to 0.00.

No,a little small one that plug int your lighter. About 15-20 dollars.