Scan Gauge II new owner questions

[daveleeprius]

OK folks, got the scan guage II now installed in our 2007 Prius. Neat little gadget I must say.

I've not yet read the entire manual so forgive me if I am asking neophyte questions.

What do I have to enter into this thing, and how do I enter it, to get the most out of it?

And do you all just leave this plugged in all the time? If I unplug it does it lose whatever settings it has, such as gas consumption, trip milage, etc? I am tempted to leave it plugged in and for now am just going to leave it between the seat and the center console, out of sight, but the black cable is still there, highly visible with the bisque interior to anyone looking in, and I'm a little concerned about someone breaking in to steal it.

We've got a lot of new users here, hopefull this thread can be a good starting place for us.

Dave

[Skwyre7]

Just a quick reply, I doubt anyone would steal it. If they did, would they know what it is, or what to do with it? They would probably rather steal something they can easily use or sell.

And of course, read the manual...it's not that long.

[glenk]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Skwyre7 @ Mar 23 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]411014[/snapback]</div>

Just a quick reply, I doubt anyone would steal it. If they did, would they know what it is, or what to do with it?
[/b]

I don't know. At night, the display stays on for a period of time and it stands out and says "Steal me!" It may pique the interest of any thief passing by just to see what it is. Steal first, ask questions later.

The Scangauge itself gives users more useful operating information, predominantly coolant temp and battery voltage and RPM. I haven't decided what fourth gauge reading would be very useful.

However, if and when your car develops a problem that generates a error code, you'll be able to read it and be more informed when talking to the service advisor. Also when your other car, friend's or neighbor's car has a "Check Engine" light, you'll be able to scan those as well and be a hero when you tell them to tighten up their gas cap and clear the error light for them. Or tell them their O2 sensor heater is open, so on and so on.

[engworks]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(glenk @ Mar 23 2007, 06:49 PM) [snapback]411206[/snapback]</div>

However, if and when your car develops a problem that generates a error code, you'll be able to read it and be more informed when talking to the service advisor. Also when your other car, friend's or neighbor's car has a "Check Engine" light, you'll be able to scan those as well and be a hero when you tell them to tighten up their gas cap and clear the error light for them. Or tell them their O2 sensor heater is open, so on and so on.
[/b]

There are up too 200 possible error codes just for the battery, don't know if this scan gauge 2 tool will read those, the factory tool to date for Prius is a Vetronix Mastertech, loaded with Toyota software. Also possible errors codes on a Prius in general are probally 800 plus including body, nav, abs, brakes modules, And most service writers probally wouldn't have a clue about errors codes on hybrids at this time as they are very new to our industry.

Eric

www.engine-works.com

[tdmalek]

A few things you will probably want to enter to get the most accurate fuel readings:

Go to MORE>SETUP>ENGINE and set to 1.5 liters.

MORE>SETUP>FUEL>TYPE and change to HYBRID - If you dont change this, the unit will shut off when the ICE stops.

MORE>SETUP>FUEL>TANK SIZE - I entered 11 here although Ive never been able to add more than 8 gals on a fillup.

Read the instructions on pages 18-19 carefully. It explains what to do when you fillup your tank.

[Rangerdavid]

Most of your questions would be answered in the manuel. Actually the little blue book (manuel) that came with it has writing to small, I can hardly read it, so I'm attempting to attach the PDF I downloaded here which is much easier to read. Good luck!!

[David Beale]

I only worry about theft in certain locations (shopping malls, theater parking lots, "bad side" of town). I just pull the Scangauge off the dash and put it on the console or floor. It's just fastened with velcro - that's what makes it so easy. Idiots (theves) will often think it's a radar detector, and they know they can get money for those, so if they see it on the dash you can loose a side window and the Scangauge. Curiously, the window costs more than the Scangauge!

Leave it connected all the time. It doesn't do any harm. It doesn't seem to loose its' settings after disconnecting however. I removed mine when the anti-Prius (see below) was in the body shop for a month and a half. When I plugged it back in it still had all the settings in memory (engine size, fuel tank size, engine type).

[Ari]

Here are the mounting pics for my brand new scangauge

I stuck it on the dash as far left as I could without interfering with the small air vents next to the driver side window. The cable installation is somewhat 'stealth' and completely reversible since I just jammed it between the rubber molding that goes around the door frame. I only used one zip tie under above the foot well to hold the extra 1' of cable in place.

Now I can clearly see the gauges while driving and also reach the buttons if I need to adjust something. (The pictures don't really do it justice - the SG "blends in" quite nicely since there are already several digital displays in the vehicle.)
[attachmentid=7072]
[attachmentid=7073]

[Rangerdavid]

Nice work Ari, I like that. Real clean look.

[NoMoShocks]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rangerdavid @ Mar 24 2007, 02:49 PM) [snapback]411624[/snapback]</div>

Nice work Ari, I like that. Real clean look.
[/b]

I like Ari's location as well, May I have permission to use that? Any royalties needed?

I can understand the concern for theft if a cable is running across the carpet. A thief that sees it might think it is connected to an IPOD or such and break the windows just to see what it goes to. With Ari's installation, it is clearly not an IPOD, so may reduce the risk.

For a completely steath installation, I have noticed that Scan Guage II fits snuggly into the small compartment (cd cubby?) under the radio such that no velcro would be needed to hold it in place. If installed there, and not pressed in too deep, it will be completely hidden when the compartment door is closed, and visible when the door swings down to open. If you push it in too deep, the top line of the readout starts to be hidden by the bollom of the radio. Only problem is you do need to make a hole for cable to ender from the back. Maybe in the top corner of the compartment way back were it will not be noticible later if anyone decides not to use the compartment for Scan Guage any more.

As far as the 11 gallon setting, I am thinking that I will do an experiment by letting the feul get down to last segment flashing, and then see how much I can get in as many have said the bladder may only accept about 8 gallons. This could cause an inacurate Distance Till Empty readout if the meter is set for 11 gallons.