Your car has secrets. Learn them with a ScanGauge II.
Written: Mar 17 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to install; easy to use; easy on the eyes.
Cons: Hard to find.
The Bottom Line: If your car is 1996 or newer, I fully recommend buying this.
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| hyundai_fan's Full Review: Linear Logic ScanGauge II |
I have been obsessed about gas mileage since I started reading up on hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. One of the main reasons why they're so appealing is their interactive displays showing what the car is doing and how the driver's actions affect their gas mileage.
Until I buy a hybrid car, though, I knew I wanted something similar in my 1999 Toyota Camry LE. While it is not as fancy as those in said vehicles, the Linear Logic ScanGauge II is an amazing piece of equipment for your 1996 or newer car.
Cars that use the ScanGauge II
Since 1996, all cars made for North America are required to have what is called an OBD-II system, or On-Board Diagnostics, second generation. If you've had your Check Engine Light turn on, you might have noticed your mechanic hooking up a hand-held device to something underneath your car's dashboard. That "something" under the dashboard is the OBD-II connector. When he does that, basically the car's computer gives him vital information regarding the vehicle's electrical system and other parts pertaining to the car's overall "health". He then takes what the car has given to him and then translates the codes to what is going wrong with the car. For example, he might get a code numbered "P0440", which represents one problem, or "P0446", et cetera. He then "clears" the code, resetting the Check Engine Light so it doesn't stay on afterwards.
Some vehicles actually came with an OBD-II system before 1996, such as a few Audis and other higher-end vehicles. For a complete list, please visit www.ScanGauge.com.
Installation
The ScanGauge II connects to your OBD-II system in the same way the mechanic does with his own hand-held stuff. After plugging the ScanGauge II in with the included 6-foot-long cord, you can then place it in an area that's not distracting but yet easily readable. The manual recommends places such as on the center console or underneath the dash (for periodic inspection when parked). I have placed it on top of the dashboard using the two strips of Velcro included.
All the power the ScanGauge II needs comes from the OBD-II system, so you do not have to plug a separate cord in the car's power outlet.
After inserting, it is recommended to turn the ignition to "ON". This allows the ScanGauge II to connect to the car. Afterwards, you have to input your car's engine size, gas tank size, if it's a hybrid, diesel, or gas-powered car, and if you read standard or metric units. Later on you will need to calibrate the speedometer, trip odometer and fuel use gauges on the ScanGauge II.
Fortunately it is simple to go through the numerous menus on the screen. The device uses a menu-driven interface and using the four soft buttons allows for easy navigation. A fifth button, with a red circle surrounding it, sends the user back to the home screen in case they get lost.
The screen on the ScanGauge II can be lit up using 63 different background colors with two intensity settings. The Camry I drive has yellow-green gauges and so it easily blends in with the rest of the dashboard.
Size
The ScanGauge II is about 4.5 inches long, 1.5 inches thick, and 2 inches high.
Features
Code Reader: It can read your car's trouble codes and erase them for you in the comfort of your own driveway. Since mechanics typically charge a good amount to do this, you can effectively save more money than what it costs to buy the ScanGauge itself. If the car's Check Engine Light turns on while driving, it can instantaneously save the exact RPM, engine load, throttle position, engine temperature, and speed driven, so you can later take the car to the mechanic and show them what the conditions were that triggered the trouble code.
Trip Computer: The ScanGuage II also doubles as an expensive trip computer seen in higher-end cars. It will record information like average trip MPG, tank MPG, average speed per trip, average speed per tank of gas, miles to empty, miles driven on tank, and more. This was the main selling point for me.
Instant Gauges: The ScanGauge II can display up to four different bits of information about the car at the same time. Using the four soft buttons surrounding each gauge, you can toggle through a variety of gauges such as:
*Instant MPG
*Instant MPH
*Instant RPM
*Closed/Open Loop
*Intake Air Temperature
*Water Temperature
*Fuel Pressure (may or may not work)
*Gallons Per Hour
*Engine Load
*Manifold Absolute Pressure
*Throttle Position
*Battery Voltage
http://www.ScanGauge.com has a full list of what the Scangauge II can do.
Depending on the car, the "refresh rate" may be slower or faster. The Camry uses the "Fast" setting, though some cars may only work on "Normal" or possibly even "Slow".
Price
The phrase "you get what your pay for" applies well to the ScanGauge II, and at $170 is not too cheap. However, the ability to clear your own codes, as well as other benefits, can pay for itself over a short period of time.
For example, say your Check Engine Light turns on three times in a year. Rather than pay $40 or so for a mechanic to clear it, you can do so yourself and save $120 right off the bat.
Secondly, with the gas mileage gauges, I have been able to significantly improve my gas mileage just from simple observations of how my driving affects fuel use. Initially I only got 11 MPG per trip just driving home from school, since for one thing my trips are short and the engine never warms up by the time I reach home. With changes in my driving habits, I have improved it to 14, even 16 MPG. As for overall gas use per tank, I have improved from 19 MPG to over 22 MPG.
I have not been able to find these at local stores like AutoZone, but they are easily available online. One online dealer actually sold me one for $130, new, thanks to a special Toyota discount they had going on at the time.
Overall
If your car is 1996 or newer, and you really want to learn more about your car's internals, I fully recommend the Linear Logic ScanGauge II. It seamlessly incorporates three different devices into one, easy-to-use black box. It takes only seconds to install, and can save you a lot of money either through gas savings, checking trouble codes, or spotting potential problems before they turn serious. This is a must-have for the car enthusiasts and novices alike.
~Scott
(Special thanks to dkozin for adding this product to Epinions.)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
hyundai_fan
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Member: Scott K
Reviews written: 107
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
A gay, Subaru-driving Vermonter.
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