Is a Scangauge worth the $130+ investment as it will give me a constant OBD readout plus maybe give me a little better handle on fuel mileage - not so much as how good/bad but how long can I go before a fill up on a trip.

 

my 2012 XL has miles to empty... really ... miles to almost empty...

I will keep and eye on your post for replies.

 

That dash infoscreen(?) is often called a 'lie-o-meter' and isn't very accurate on my '11 Lariat .

 

Yes it is worth the money. I watch intake air temp, water temp, volts and any other that I feel necessary I have the 6.4 L

Bob C.

 

I have read about the lie-o-meter here.. but mine is within a few percent. for miles per gallon. anyway.
this 800 miles trip towing.. meter stated 9.1 and paper math was 8.9

but my question is the scanner .. is still using the same sensors for mileage and fuel usage.. so it many not be more accurate..

just thinking out loud..

 

That's exactly the reason for my thread.

I just looked at a couple You Tube videos and there is a bunch more 'stuff' that it will display. This one seems pretty good: - but..............

 

they MAY do a better job with the data than Ford...

sensor readings... (several) math, averaging (seconds, feet, miles) could be better...
gallons/divided by miles ,, etc.

not saying its a bad thing..

I had a gas computer back in the day.... came with its own sensors... pre computer cars. 84 Buick 225.. so 1987-88

 

Scangage has adjustable correction factors built in to the unit to really dial into the correct fuel mileage. On my VW Golf TDI it is right on the money. I read Load %, boost #, voltage and water temp. I also like having a code reader with me when I travel. For the $$ I think the Scangage II is a great product.

 

I'm a fan of the SG2, it gives good bang for the buck in terms of monitoring parameters that Ford neglected to include in the regular instrumentation. In particular in letting you know when you're in regen and need to cool it down before shutdown or perhaps more importantly before you park it in your field over dry grass.


Also being a scan tool only it doesn't give any chance of dealer argument over "programmers" on warranty stuff. It's also nice to be able to immediately read a DTC code if you have a problem on the road, though it doesn't give text details, these days you can find the DTC code info on your smart phone.

 

I have a SGII, and still have the original SG I bought on the shelf at home. I went by the Scanguage office and got my unit upgraded to the latest software a few years ago. The unit I have now is about 6 or 7 years old. The numbers are starting to fade a bit on the left side of the display. But it still works great. A very good investment.

 

I just ordered a ScanGauge from Dyers RV store. They have them for about $143 plus about $9.50 shipping - an 18 buck plus savings if I add in the @#$% state sales tax. Now I' have to figure out where to mount it along with a big 7" RV GPS and a TST TPMS. Constant monitoring of more points has to be better then the usual standard Bosch OTC OBD reader (which I will part with for a reasonable sum)

 

Run it up alongside the drivers side front piller, Dave. It then sits right at the bottom left edge of the windshield......

 

Worth a look at that corner. Can't see out of it with the NY State inspection and registration stickers anyhow

 

Finally got a few minutes yesterday along with some decent weather and installed the Scan Gauge - and in the corner as suggested. Thanks Bud. So far all I've done is a basic setup - and yes, it really works nicely. Last night I again read, or tried to, the full owner's manual. Amazing what this little gadget has the power to check and did get a throbbing headache with the amount of 'stuff' they expect an old codger to absorb. Made up my mind that the advanced things will be slowly added as I figure out the various control functions.

 

The Kiwi-2 is a lot cheaper (on sale now for $40) and gives you a lot more information.
I use one with the Torque app.