Vehicle monitoring

For those of you that have vehicle monitors like Fixd or ScanGauge 2 or something similar, what parameters do you monitor and why did you choose those?
I want to set up a monitor and am thinking of what to monitor.
Thanks in advance.

Hi Stan,

We have a 2007 2350 built on a 2007 E350 chassis with V-10 engine.
I installed a Scan Gauge-II which allows me to display 4 data-types
My focus with my ScanGauge-II is fuel economy.
1) average MPG
2) real time MPG
3) TPS (throttle position sensor)  one of my favorites
4) MPH

TPS is an odd readout for a new user, but after getting familiar with that number, it has helped in improving our fuel economy.  It reminds me if I am over compensating with the throttle when climbing, or during a strong head wind.  It trains me to back off the accelerator a bit to adjust the sweet spot under those particular driving conditions.

Here is a common hypothetical example.......
Slowing down by 3 mph lowers the throttle position by 33%.  So slowing down by 4% saves 33% of fuel.  Again the example is hypothetical and draws an inaccurate conclusion, but regardless, it helps improve our trip average fuel economy.

I don't make a science project out of it and I am not anal about it.  Displaying the data I selected helps train me to drive smarter without additional thought.  I find myself automatically glancing at it about half as often as I do the speedometer, and adjusting my throttle when required.  Mounting it above the rear view monitor as shown has been a friendly location.

When I shut off the engine, my trip average number resets so my ScanGauge-II never draws a conclusion for the entire trip.  I am sure there is something that can be done to change it, but I am most comfortable tracking my trip average fuel economy the old fashion way.

Ron Dittmer

transmission temp, water temp (I never trust dummy lights) RPM and avg mileage.

transmission temp, water temp (I never trust dummy lights) RPM and avg mileage.

Same here

I am thinking about buying one, but a couple questions

You can use this to see your average miles per gallon?  You can use this to see how much fuel you have left in your gas tank?

Is this correct?

Thanks

I am by no means an expert but I believe the parameters available are dependent on the model year of the vehicle and the OBD2 scanner you buy.
I have a FIXD bluetooth scanner with the FIXD app on my android phone.
Using these on my 2004 E350.

Serrano, if I recall there were some settings you could set such as fuel tank capacity etc but as to accuracy I have no idea.  All I do Is watch my avg which I’ve found to be pretty accurate overall and deduct the amount of fuel used from the assumed tank size. Heck I’m not exactly sure how many gallons are tank really holds.

It’s a rare occasion I let my gauge hit the 1/4 tank mark. Also I don’t like it when I need more than 35 gallons. Too many places shut my card down at $100 and some places at $75 and I want to head out from each stop with a full tank. I know I can go inside and start the card over but I don’t like doing it.

Don't forget that it is unwise to run your tank below 1/4 full.  This is because as the fuel level lowers further, the fuel pump inside the tank is no longer submerged in fuel.  It then runs hotter reducing it's life expectancy.  This rule applies in any vehicle with the fuel pump inside the fuel tank.  And that is almost every vehicle made since the 80's.

Don't forget that it is unwise to run your tank below 1/4 full.  This is because as the fuel level lowers further, the fuel pump inside the tank is no longer submerged in fuel.  It then runs hotter reducing it's life expectancy.  This rule applies in any vehicle with the fuel pump inside the fuel tank.  And that is almost every vehicle made since the 80's.

I did not know this fact, but it does make sense...why is this not mentioned in the owners manual, or is it mentioned and I missed it?

Lucky,  it should be but its not on any vehicle manual that I know of. I had a friend burn up the fuel pump in a gold wing by running it too low too often, over heated and burnt out. No fire hazard that I'm aware of other than burning a big hole in your wallet.

Quote from: Ron Dittmer on December 18, 2019, 06:57:45 pm

Don't forget that it is unwise to run your tank below 1/4 full.  This is because as the fuel level lowers further, the fuel pump inside the tank is no longer submerged in fuel.  It then runs hotter reducing it's life expectancy.  This rule applies in any vehicle with the fuel pump inside the fuel tank.  And that is almost every vehicle made since the 80's.

I did not know this fact, but it does make sense...why is this not mentioned in the owners manual, or is it mentioned and I missed it?

Apparently the design falls within normal life expectancy along with all other vehicle components.  But the practice is simply being smarter about it.  Never run below 1/4 tank and you have a much better chance of never having a problem with a fuel pump.

Actually, some cars have shallow but wide fuel tanks.  My 2014 Nissan Altima has a strange fuel tank shape to utilize the available space to increase the size of the tank.  The tank is also shallow compared to most. So I refill that car when the tank is 1/3 full.

Here is a picture of a 2014 fuel pump assembly.  1/3 keeps the pump motor submerged and running cooler.


But that is not the case with the E350/E450.  1/4 full minimum is best practice.


If only I could get this through the head of our youngest son.  He loves to drive his car with the "Low Fuel" warning light on.  If only he would hear this from a stranger.  Any advise coming from Dad is too much preaching.

I am thinking about buying one, but a couple questions

You can use this to see your average miles per gallon?  You can use this to see how much fuel you have left in your gas tank?

Is this correct?

Thanks

I just installed the Christmas present from my navigator/editor...an OBDLink MX+. So far I think it will be a great addition to the driving experience and economy.  There is a free app for all phones and Windows, free lifetime upgrades, and has an App add-on for all the sensors on many vehicles, Ford E350/450 included. You can add gauges to your "dashboard" (once you figure out how to.)  It is Bluetooth, so there are no wires.

The pic attached show some of the gauges I picked to add on an old 10" tablet I rarely use, you can scroll over to more screens for more gauges. You can pick either analog or digital style. 100's to choose from.

One I think I will really like is the fuel tank % gauge...most likely the main contributing factor in the varying MPG we calculate. That 92.6% shown is really a fresh full tank minus 7 miles...obviously not really full to begin with.

No trips yet to try it all out.  Costs about the same as half a tank of gas.  Or a 1/4 tank in CA.

Dougn....PS Thanks Santa!