Toolboxes for Tow Vehicles
By Bill Siuru
Durability and Accessibility
The digital gauges mode provides – in real–time – fuel economy and rate, battery voltage, coolant and air–intake temperatures, engine and vehicle speed, manifold pressure, engine load, throttle position, and ignition timing. The scan tool feature displays trouble codes to diagnose potential problems before they become larger and more expensive to repair.
The ScanGaugeII functions like a conventional scan tool and can be used to read error codes, as well as help trace other conditions present when the error occurred. It can also turn off the "Check Engine" warning light.
Installation and Operation
Installation of the unit is quite simple. Just connect the cable to a vehicle's OBDII port, turn on the ignition, and the ScanGaugeII is automatically linked to the vehicle's computer. To locate the port, consult the owner's manual. It is usually under the dash and just to the right or left of the steering column. Once operating, enter the engine size, gas tank capacity and type of fuel used. The unit allows you to choose between English or metric measurements.
The unit is 4.8" wide, 1.5" high and 1.0" deep, and can be attached to the dash using the pieces of Velcro included. The detachable cable allows for easy portability from vehicle to vehicle, and you can purchase extra cables.
Using the unit is also quite easy, accessing the menus via four soft keys. For those who like to read computer instructions, there is a 32–page manual that shows how to get the maximum amount of information available from the OBDII system, as well as how to troubleshoot. However, the print in the manual is quite small.
You can add up to 25 more "gauges" by returning the unit to the company for an update. Settings are automatically saved after the engine is shut off. The nonvolatile memory will store data up to a day, such as how fast and far your teenager drove, and if it was disconnected. Other features include slow, normal and fast update rates; "Home" key to return to the start screen; user–set backlight display colors; back–lit display and keys; yesterday, today and tank trip data automatically saved; and automatic power–up when the engine is started.
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