Yeah, for techies, this is the kind of gadget that's just too hard to pass up. I'm thinking very hard of doing a roadtrip tomorrow and comparing all the data between the the GPS (for distance), the cluster's trip odo and how much fuel it will take to top it off; thus the calculated gas mileage, versus what the ScanGauge shows the mileage and fuel economy to be. Hopefully all the numbers pretty much agree with each other. Here's a picture of mine mounted next to my GPS:

http://www.autocrossing.com/misc/junk/scanguage.jpg

 

AZCivic asked:
I'll be finishing my review late his weekend.

 

This message is in response to questions about the ScanGauge:

For the "trip computer", everything works:
* Maximum Speed
* Average Speed
* Maximum Coolant Temperature
* Maximum RPM
* Driving Time
* Driving Distance
* Fuel Used (Gasoline engines only)
* Trip Fuel Economy(Gasoline engines only)

For the "Digital Gauges", I think everything or almost everything works. You can display 4 at a time, so usually I display Vehicle Speed, Fuel Economy, Coolant Temp, and Fuel Rate. Here is what I recall off the top of my head but I will cycle through them the next time I get a chance:
* Fuel Economy - Works
* Fuel Rate - Works
* Battery Voltage - Will have to check
* Coolant Temperature - Works
* Intake Air Temperature - Will have to check
* Engine Speed (RPM) - Works
* Vehicle speed (MPH) - Works
* Manifold Pressure - Will have to check
* Engine Load - Works (at least a varying number is displayed)
* Throttle Position - Works (at least a varying number is displayed)
* Ignition Timing - Will have to check
* Open/Closed Loop - Works

I haven't used the "Scan Tool" functionality yet since the check engine light hasn't come on.

As far as downsides to the unit, the unit generally works as advertised. The biggest issue for me is that the orange button lights reflect back at me from the slanted windshield at night if I have the backlighting turned on (as detailed in my initial post). It would be nice if the unit could retain multiple days of data and had a USB port to download it to your computer (rather than having to manually copy data from the unit), though perhaps thats too much to expect at this price point. For a behind the steering wheel placment, there is an extra 12-18 inches of cord which I hid by taping it underneath my dash. And finally, as with all gizmos in cars, be sure not to have an accident by focusing on the unit too much as you drive.

 

So does it seem to report the mileage correctly when your Accord goes into VCM mode and shuts down half the cylinders? I just completed a 200 mile roadtrip to confirm that sure enough, it's not getting accurate data when the ECU puts the motor in lean-burn mode. Honestly, I don't understand WHY it's not right, since fuel mixture is just a function of reducing the pulse width of the injectors, and I'd think that it would report back that it's injecting less fuel.

From my trip though, it overestimated fuel consumption by about 17% and thus reported that my gas mileage was only about 84% as good as it was in reality. I can't blame that on the SG though if the problem is that the ECU is feeding incorrect data to the OBD2 port. Everything else definitely looks about right. Generally when trying to analyze my consumption in realtime I have the RPM, MPG, GPH, and MP displays up so I can try to make sense of the data, such as if the fuel flow and manifold pressure are dramatically higher when going up a gentle grade and trying to hold the speed steady.

Anyway, I'll make a more detailed post separate from this one with the details of my trip today. I'm curious about how it handles VCM though. Does anyone know if the Accord Hybrid can do both VCM and also lean-burn?

 

Hi AZCivic:

___Lean burn is not available in the AH’s ICE …

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

 

AZCivic,
I posted my 2 page review of the ScanGauge on my website. I'm not sure if I'lll be able to post the article over here, but essentialy it covers some of what I've mentioned as far as liking the ScanGauge with reservations as far as the mpg calculations for lean-burn Insights and Electric-mode hybrids. It seems like a pretty good deal, although I agree it would be nice to export the data via USB. But hey, what do you want for $130, right?

Oh, and Rich, it makes sense Ron's wife wouldn't recognize me; I've never had the pleasure of speaking with her.

If you want to read my ScanGauge review in its entirety, feel free to check my profile. It contains my home page web address.

 

I just got my Scanguage today. While exploring the different screens, I checked the mode setting and it gave me PWM which is for Ford vehicles. My car is a 2003 Civic hybrid. Does this sound right?

Rich

 

Normally a Honda should be detected as ISO mode. Do all the functions still read in correctly? Mine says it's in ISO, but of course I have a 97 Civic, which is quite a lot older than yours. Still... it ought to be ISO, I would think.

 

I agree. I fully expected to see iso after reading the manual. I'll check tomorrow and force it if necessary to iso. I just didn't want to cause a problem such as the manual mentions if you set a GM car to PWM and vice versa.

Rich

 

A new day and all is well. I unplugged the Scanguage and started my car and then plugged the Scanguage in and it now reads iso mode. Yesterday I just turned the key to the on position and plugged the Scanguage in. I guess you can't do that even though the manual seems to indicate that you can. Everything seems to work just fine except the FPR, which the manual says works on very few cars. Since I have a HCH the MPG guage is off quite a bit. I went on a 16 mile test drive on flat roads at 50 to 55 MPH in 70 degree temps. My trip A showed 57.9 MPG and the Scanguage read 42 MPG. I guess that sort of shows what the IMA and lean burn contribute to improving your mileage. One thing that surprised me at first was watching the MPG guage go down as I coasted to a red light while the cars readout went up. All in all I'm very happy with my new toy.

Rich