Hi all, I'm considering buying an Xgauge for my 2008 Prius... I'd like to fit it under the JBL stereo 6 disk unit.. where the CD cases would normally go, behind the little drop down door. Has anyone fitted it there ? Are there any blanking plates I can fit an Xgauge into for that slot ? Ta.
That's where mine is. I didn't use anything to hold it in place because the height of the compartment decreases a bit as you get to the back. You can drill a hole in the back of the compartment, push something flexible down through the hole and tape the small end of the plug to it and pull it back up.
Does it give you an accurate MPG reading ? Or does it replicate the MFD reading? Can it be switched to read imperial gallons per mile ? What's the advantages of having one? Very curious at the moment...
Just like Effwit said I drilled a 1/2 inch hole in the back of my CD storage box and the ScanGauge presses into place tidy as a pin. I did not have to dismantle the dash at all and ther were no clearance issues with the drill. I have only had mine a week, so I would also like to gain some insight into just how it can be used. So far, I am just enjoying having the full-data trip reports and seeing the ICE RPMs - with that alone, I am sure it is helping my mileage. I am going to buy gas for the first time with the ScanGauge today - actually looking forward to the experience of setting the gauge up.
I can't speak to the MPG display because I've never had that gauge displayed. The MFD value is good enough for me since I'm not comparing my MPG against anyone else. It's probably consistent and I'm only concerned about changes relative to what it's been before. I don't know if it handles imperial gallons or not, but you download the manual and check. It probably does, but I’m not betting my life on it. I got mine so that I can monitor things not provided on the MFD. At the moment it's displaying RPM, engine temp, coolant temp and the current going to / from the traction battery. I'll probably always leave the RPM and current gauges on and switch the other two from time to time. I'm going to establish a baseline of what the normal values are for me so that later on if I have concerns, I can check against the old values. The scan gauge can tell you your engine temperature if you’re blocking your grill in the winter so that you don't have to worry about cooking the engine. It can monitor the voltage of the 12 volt battery so that you can get an early warning that it's starting to fail. Many 12 volt battery failures are catastrophic, but I've used the sound of the cranking speed of my prior cars to know when it's time for a new battery. If it cranked fast in the winter, I didn’t worry about it. This trick doesn’t work on a Prius. Knowing the RPM is useful in keeping your MPG up. If the check engine light comes on, you can get the fault code and clear it if you wish. Other members have other useful tricks they use theirs for and most of all it's a fun toy!
Yes.. I like the idea of the engine data on the display.. eg: RPM and temps.. Sounds like I'll nag the missus into buying one!! lol
If a person is careful, what is the danger of snagging something behind the compartment when the drill goes through? Also, do you leave the scangage connected to the obd plug all the time?
It looks like you have a couple of inches in back of the compartment, but I still used as little pressure as possible when drilling. I leave the ODBII plug in all the time. Don't forget to change the engine type to "Hybrid" so the scanguage turns on and off at the right times.
