Chevy & GMC Vans

I know there have been discussions about OBD-II scan tools, but I don't remember seeing this one talked about. (I'd be lying though if I said I'd read those threads carefully!)

http://www.scangauge.com/

I read about this in a recent issue of Four Wheeler and it caught my eye because of the general info it can display during normal driving. And given the price, it seems a real bargain!

i think 3 or 4 people here have one haven't heard any complaints yet i intend to pick one up for the new stro in the family
Phrisket and ihatemy bike are the first two names that come to mind... not too sure tho

Cobra wrote:Phrisket and ihatemybike are the first two names that come to mind

Yep, we both have them. Does a fine job of reading/clearing codes. On my '97 and '99 I've cleared codes while driving. The trip computer keeps stat on several levels (current trip, day, yesterday, tank, etc). My fav is the gauges though. I run with the RPMs, Throttle Position Sensor, Current Trip MPG, and Current MPG shown when I drive Grumpy lets me see what I'm doing to the engine and adjust for better MPG. It's nice seeing a trip avg MPG of 20+ for local non-highway trips. Not bad for a misfiring AWD van that needs front wheel bearing replacement and an alignment. In Green I switch the Current MPG to Gallons Per Hour, since Green has the info center to display the Current MPG. I highly recommend getting two cables, one for permanent mounting in your van and another to hook up to friends' cars when they need help. I actually want to buy another so I don't have to move mine between Green and Grumpy.

How do I get 20+ mpg?

All the AWD shafts are out, I try not to go over 2K RPM, I use the cruise (a lot), I adjust my speed as to not spend much time at traffic lights and stop signs (yes, I'm the idiot doing 35 in a 45 to not stop at that red light ahead), coast when I can, Grumpy's tires are BFG Radial TAs inflated to 40 psi (aside from the one with the slow leak that gets aired up to 45 psi).

I'm not able to pull that kind of mileage every trip, but it sure makes me happy when I do.

ihatemybike wrote:How do I get 20+ mpg?

All the AWD shafts are out, I try not to go over 2K RPM

Okay the shaft are out ... nope I wont be doing that! Not go over 2K RPM? Nope not that doing that either cause golly I love running down some of those younger drivers darting in and out of traffic ... "lane closed!"

I've got a ScanGuage II as well. so does Astro4x4 I believe

My buddy Brian with the Sportsmobile (E350 Powerstroke 4x4) has one and is very happy with it.

phr1$k37 wrote:Okay the shaft are out ... nope I wont be doing that! Not go over 2K RPM? Nope not that doing that either cause golly I love running down some of those younger drivers darting in and out of traffic ... "lane closed!"

Yeah, I like shutting down the idiots too. I want to put Grumpy's shaft back in, but the diff needs repaired first, but Green needs repaired before that. Sigh, such is life. Anyway only got 18.2 mpg today, got caught behind a city bus making stops everywhere for the last 5 miles coming home.

Well, I seem to be late to the party regarding the Scan Gauge II... Sounds like the consensus is it is a great accessory/tool!

It is a great tool, can't wait to pick up another.

I get it...It's cool to keep an eye on these things...but to tell the truth, I wish my van didn't have the computer sometimes....being obsessed with Avg MPG's and so fourth has only made things seem worse than they are.
My DD, an '03 Escape doesn't have the computer and I'm glad it doesn't. Just my 2 cents....

pffft i probably wouldn't have that display up only engine stats and tranny temp the way i drive most of the time good MPG is impossible. it's not unusual for my van to be above the 3000 rpm mark

Being obsessed with avg mpg took Green from roughly 410 miles per tank to 520 miles per tank. I used to start sweating, worrying about running out of gas whenever I went over 410 miles. Now I want to see if a 600 mile tank is possible. That would require Green to do 25 mpg, leaving a gallon in the tank to get to a gas station. Can't wait till Green's transmission is rebuilt.

Being obsessed with avg mpg took Green from roughly 410 miles per tank to 520 miles per tank. I used to start sweating, worrying about running out of gas whenever I went over 410 miles. My best avg so far was 24.04 mpg. Now I want to see if a 600 mile tank is possible. That would require Green to do 25 mpg, leaving a gallon in the tank to get to a gas station. Can't wait till Green's transmission is rebuilt.