MPG gauge
 

I've been looking to get an MPG gauge for my truck but the only ones available are for 1996 or later vehicles. However I found out about the mpguino device and wanted it for my truck

I have installed and calibrated the mpguino MPG gauge in my '89 F150 302! It reports on:

• instantaneous MPG
• tank MPG
• trip MPG
• gallons per hour (to 1/100)
• speed (digital speedometer to 1/100)
• distance (to 1/100)
• idle time
• idle gas
• and more

I found out about this device on the eccomodder site. From there I found an installation on an '95 Bronco 5.0 on the FSB site. I don't know if this site allows links. A fellow named Josh there did the install. His post was helpful, however he mistyped the VSS distance constant by over a factor of 12. I'll review my install and use here.

Already I have changed my driving habits a bit for in city driving. My last few drives I have been getting 19.8 MPG! Don't get too excited. I got a 1 mpg bump for the MAF upgrade and another 1 mpg increase for the MSD 6a box/new coil/regapped plugs/MSD wires. So the driving changes are worth about 3 mpg. I hope to improve more practice as time goes by.

Here is the device installed in my truck:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=64471

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=64472

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=64473

The color in the photo is a bit off. I used a polarizer for the shot. The paint looks a little more purple through the polarizer.

I attached it to a cell phone holder stalk that sticks to the windshield with a suction cup.

The installation is simple. There are four wires to hook up:

• constant, not switched 12v+ power (radio memory supply wire)
• ground (dashboard support bracket)
• vss (dark green with white stripe on cruise control computer )
• injector (non-common from any injector, I don't know the color, I rewired my harness with MAF upgrade)

The calibration consists of entering three values in the set screen:

• vss click count per mile
• microgallons of gas injected per second
• injector delay after start of injection signal

I will report on the values I used next time I go outside to my truck. The values are written down on the paper in my glovebox. It is pouring now! (it never rains in california?)

Calibration involves checking actual distance travelled (known course) against the Mpguino reported value and adjusting the VSS constant. Don't use your odometer. It could be wrong. In the SF Valley part of LA, the main streets are on EXACT 1/2 mile intervals. They are on old T&S survey lines from our agricultural past. The injector value is modified by gallons dispensed at the pump during fill-ups. A simple calculation with a calculator and you have modified value to re-enter. A couple of runs and I was almost perfect. The third value is the delay in microseconds from the arrival of the electric signal and start of the gasoline delivery. I have mine set to .000005 seconds. Most folks have it set at .000072 seconds. That means on long hard accelerations I might over report the gasoline used by a bit.

The gauge was $55. The project box was $6. The (red not red/purple) paint was $5. The cell phone holder was $10. The telephone cable for hook-up was $2.

I hope this helps with coping with the current gas price rise. ($4.19/gallon last fill up)

Here is the ecomodder site: OpenGauge / MPGuino FE computer - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com
Here is where I bought it: http://opengauge.org/mpguino/
Here is the Mpguino wiki page for installation and calibration info: MPGuino - EcoModder

Hope this helps.

wow this is the coolest mod I have seen in a while. Thanks for all the information, a very nice investment.

Here are my two setup values:

VSSpulsepermile 15065 (1:3.55 diff, 28 inch tires)

MicrosecGallons 153191733 (8 cylinder, 19 lb Ford racing injectors)

You can use these as starting points with stock size tires, injectors, and 3.55 diff. If you don't have those, use a simple algebraic ratio to get your value.

It's simple. If you need any help, just ask.

We need to save gas for our own pocketbooks and an independent foreign policy.

I have been looking at the mpguino device for a while now, just haven't fully been motivated to get it. Guess I'll get one too!

Looks good where you have yours. I'm going to install mechanical guages and thinking about making up a gauge pod right on top of the dash.

I did try the a factory Ford MPG/clock unit from a older 5.0 Merc/Lincon car, but the trucks did not have the fuel out line programmed in to the ECU( I installed the wiring for it).

this is deffinately a mod i would like to do! the only reason i wish my truck was newer was so it would be obd2 so i could get all the super cool scanners and gauges lol.

how did you go about making that box? or did you buy it?

The project box I bought from Fry's electronics for about $6. I made a cardboard template that matched the size of the Mpguino board and tried that with all the project boxes. I made a few measurements and cut the opening with an exacto knife. I drilled the button holes with a 1/8 bit, using my fingers, not a motor. I got satin finish plastic paint at the hardware store. I got a windshield mount cell phone holder and attached it to the back.

Radioshack has project boxes too, but they are ugly.

I also wish my truck was ODB2 also for the same reason.

This also monitors the speed. You can display a digital speedometer! But why?

I've been wanting the Mpguino for over a year. When I saw where the gas prices where going, I pulled the lever. I've picked up over 3mpg by watching the gauge. That's a lot of extra miles per tank.

So it shows u the gas mileage ur getting at the very moment while driving down the road depending on ur conditions?

Yes. At that second, the mpg of that second.

thats sweet!! this deffinately just got moved up on my priority list!

Hey joke i have a 96 with a digital gauge thing and its nothing to be jealous of. It doesnt have that many gauges to view like the newer cars do. Just thought i'd make you feel better bought not having a obd2.

Have you try add vacuum gauge to help you keep light on gas pedal possible?

Way cool thread. Very well written and laid out THANKS ! This will show me what Im burning plowing for the city too (or parked under that bridge hiding from the city formen:)) Looking into it forsure ~

+Rep and 5 star thread rating

I want a vacuum gauge as well. Just not sure where i want to put it

I put on end of driver side on dashboard near cab It work for me.

Vacuum Gauge would help you improve little but try doing in rush traffic worst.