Questioning the Value of SGII

You can clear codes with it.

You can disable seat-belt, and reverse beeps with it.

You can monitor your coolant and MG temps with it.

Another neat gadget on the dash...

Use it in your other vehicles...

 

how can i disable seat belt beep,please

 

The more you learn about the car the more useful the gauge becomes. You cannot know engine temp, inverter temp, RPM, or even where or not you are in a true glide or why you cannot enter a glide etc. With experience comes even more questions and those questions can only be answered by the Scangauge. In time young Jedi.

 

Read through this thread.

There is a spread-sheet on Google with all the codes.

 

SGII is more entertaining than an iPod and costs less.

 

The biggest value to me is to learn what "normal" is the for many of the hybrid systems. Then when a problem does occur it will help me better troubleshoot and diagnose the problem.

 

OK HSI tells you rpm/coolant temp (not just engine but inverter for example), load, current going into and out of the main battery, 12V battery voltage, really want us to list a LOT if things which maybe relevant but HSI doesn't really tell you ...

For me just coolant temp and MPG worth it (well not really but ....) but these number is usually reported by average cars dam it.

 

I settled on some very basic gauges:

Accumulating mpg (since start up)
Instant mpg
rpm
coolant temp

I haven't switched gauges (intentionally) in months, but find those very handy. Instant mpg in particular, gives overall feedback as to how you're doing. RPM is more accurate than the dash indication of whether or not the engine is running. And since I'm using a block heater and grill blocking, coolant temp is handy. Also clues you into when the engine's warmed.

Now if the Prius had a tach and temp gauge the scangauge would be less useful, but...

 

Completely agreed! When I decided on grill blocking (first on my 2004) I was really worried about coolant temp. That is why I got scangauge ... and learned a few other things

Right on here ... most traditional car would have this info anyway. Not the 2004/2010 prius I had the touruing full package 2004 prius with bigger wheel colour screen backup camera etc that did not have it. But only pack 2. for 2010 so maybe the higher version has a little bit better reporting HSI IS an improvement but still rpm and coolant temp SHOULD be there.

cheers

 

If you already have an android phone try Tourqe you would need a bluetooth ODBC gadgaget but that still a lot less expensive then ScanGauge II. Also there is a cheaper version of ScanGaugE (which I have and reviewed it here somewhere on PriusChat ... no Xgauges !!!)

 

In this case YOU do not need SGII I found the Torque slightly more flexible and can report you entire trip (depending on dataplan for the phone). BUT it could be a lot more distracting ... I actually stopped taking my android tablet. I found myself watching it way to much in traffic ... SGe mounted leftish middle on dashboard just enough and I only change gauges at stop..

Did you try the eco-tree ??? that is fun to watch as well as the leafs are groing.

 

It is just fun ... not sure what it measures but as you drive "more" efficiently the tree grows and gives you nice encouragement I guess.

 

In the 2nd Gen a person could earn cookies for driving well. Does the 3rd Gen have a screen for this? I dont drive mine enough to remember if it does and am not home to check it for myself

Thanks,
Mike

 

The bar-based iMPG gauge does not offer enough resolution to accurately define mpg at a given time. It is very difficult to see anything finer than a 10mpg difference whereas the numerical iMPG display on Torque or Scangauge offer a much finer resolution. This is especially important when looking for small detail like AC impact or mpg over a given surface.

EV does not light up when you are in warp stealth over 42?mph. For example, on my work to home commute I drive down a long grade that allows me to "warp stealth" down the entire grade if I am lucky. I have no way of knowing if my car is actually in warp stealth or if the ICE is running and using fuel if I only use the factory displays. The Scangauge will show either 9999MPG in a GenII, or 960 or 992RPM in a GenIII, when I am in warp stealth. The EV indicator does not light up at these higher speeds. If for some reason I don't have enough SOC or the engine temp drops too low which is common in winter, the ICE will fire and mpg will go from infinite to 150-300mpg. These are things that you cannot observe with the factory displays. Furthermore, if I the ICE does fire, I would have no way of telling if it was due to engine temp or SOC unless I had an aftermarket gauge or the SOC was so low that you could see if on the factory display which again, is not very fine in detail.

 

That's interesting. Can I ask a question about that?

On my home to work commute, I drive down a long grade at speeds between 45 MPH and 50 MPH. I have a Four with the Solar Roof package, which includes the HUD. I have the HUD set to show the hybrid system indicator. If the traffic permits, I can often do a long glide at high speed. The EV indicator comes on in the HUD, and the bar shows pretty much nothing (its resolution isn't high enough to really tell).

Is that the kind of thing you are talking about? To tell you the truth I've never looked to see if the EV indicator on the dash is on. I will have to look now!

 

Interesting. Please do check and see if the dash light comes on. I checked it against yesterday and I didn't see it but I'll check again on the way home. I'm usually going 60-75mph down the hill on my commute.