Temperature gauge

PriAva · 05-02-2008, 12:34 PM

Is the Scangauge something that one with a fairly good technical background can install? Where does it hook up? I see it advertised with a standard length or long cable. Which is required?

Danny Hamilton · 05-02-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PriAva

Is the Scangauge something that one with a fairly good technical background can install? Where does it hook up? I see it advertised with a standard length or long cable. Which is required?

If you can plug in a lamp you can install a ScanGauge. It plugs into the ODBII port which is located on the underside of the dash in front of your right knee as you sit in the driver's seat. If you feel down there, you'll find it.

The length of cable needed depends on where you intend to place the gauge itself. I just coiled up the cable and put it in the storage space under the radio. Then I put the gauge in there in front of the coil of cable. Doing it this way I'm unable to close the hinged door on that storage space, and the cable comes out thefront of the storage space on the drivers side and goes down along the dash to the plug. This keeps the cable out of the way of my legs/feet while driving.

If you want a cleaner look, some people have disassembled the dash a bit to run the cable behind the dash panels and then drilled a hole where they wanted to place the gauge.

tsteineman · 05-27-2008, 11:57 AM

Does the dealer carry the scan gauge?

JimboK · 05-27-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsteineman

SO is this scan gauge a dealer item. HOw is it installed.

Nope, not a dealer item. It can be bought through the PC shop.

No installation is required, except to the extent you might want to mount the display box. It can simply rest on top of the steering column, though if you want something a little more permanent, you might search PC for mounting option ideas. No wiring is needed; it plugs into the car's OBDII connection just below the bottom edge of the dash, forward of the driver's right leg.

ph43drus · 05-29-2008, 03:57 PM

I'll probably buy a scangauge for next winter, specifically to monitor the coolant temp, for a couple reasons:

1. Interested in blocking off some of the front grill to keep the engine warmer (= better mpg), but paranoid about overheating.

2. Knowing when it's "safe" to use the heater.

That last might want some elaboration. I bought my Prius late last winter, and noticed a district drop in mpg if I ran the heater.

My commute involves a fair amount of stop and go; I tracked the problem to the Prius keeping the ICE going during stops when it ought to be shutting down. If I remembered to toggle the heat off before coming to a stop, the engine would shut down and mpg would be significantly higher over the course of the commute.

I figure if I could actively monitor the coolant temp, I could use the heater only when the engine was warm enough to tolerate stealing some heat without impacting mpg too badly and wring a little more performance out without freezing.

And yes, my wife thinks I'm crazy.

rfruth · 05-29-2008, 05:03 PM

How sensitive is the Prius to overheating (if you drive a little low on coolant might that damage the head or head gasket) ? On my Civic (not a hybrid) thank goodness there is a real analog temp gauge cause the block and head is aluminum (sp?) that and the head gasket is a little on the cheesy side, from what I hear if you drive a little on the hot side even briefly best to have a good pair of walking shoes handy

05-02-2008, 12:34 PM	#51
PriAva Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 10 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Temperature gauge Is the Scangauge something that one with a fairly good technical background can install? Where does it hook up? I see it advertised with a standard length or long cable. Which is required?

05-27-2008, 11:57 AM	#53
tsteineman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 6 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Temperature gauge Does the dealer carry the scan gauge? Last edited by tsteineman; 05-27-2008 at 12:20 PM. Reason: Answer already posted

05-29-2008, 03:57 PM	#55
ph43drus Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 24 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Temperature gauge I'll probably buy a scangauge for next winter, specifically to monitor the coolant temp, for a couple reasons: 1. Interested in blocking off some of the front grill to keep the engine warmer (= better mpg), but paranoid about overheating. 2. Knowing when it's "safe" to use the heater. That last might want some elaboration. I bought my Prius late last winter, and noticed a district drop in mpg if I ran the heater. My commute involves a fair amount of stop and go; I tracked the problem to the Prius keeping the ICE going during stops when it ought to be shutting down. If I remembered to toggle the heat off before coming to a stop, the engine would shut down and mpg would be significantly higher over the course of the commute. I figure if I could actively monitor the coolant temp, I could use the heater only when the engine was warm enough to tolerate stealing some heat without impacting mpg too badly and wring a little more performance out without freezing. And yes, my wife thinks I'm crazy.

05-29-2008, 05:03 PM	#56
rfruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 258 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 22	Re: Temperature gauge How sensitive is the Prius to overheating (if you drive a little low on coolant might that damage the head or head gasket) ? On my Civic (not a hybrid) thank goodness there is a real analog temp gauge cause the block and head is aluminum (sp?) that and the head gasket is a little on the cheesy side, from what I hear if you drive a little on the hot side even briefly best to have a good pair of walking shoes handy