Gas Mileage Devices
Improve Gas Mileage by Tracking Best
Fuel Economy
Gas mileage devices show us how to save money
on gas by providing immediate, measured feedback on how to
improve gas mileage and get the best fuel economy
possible. Most people know intuitively that
how they drive affects fuel
economy. But we
forget...
Gas Mileage Devices - Our Friendly
Reminder 
Gas mileage devices are like an electronic post
it note on your dashboard reminding you of your goal (a new big
screen TV instead of filling up your gas station's
pockets?). They constantly track a myriad of variables
including things like average speed, fuel used, distance to
empty and trip fuel economy - your personal gas mileage
calculator. With gas mileage devices, we can almost
automatically adjust our driving styles to improve mpg in
realtime. Some gas mileage devices also track detailed
data on everything from battery voltage, coolant temperature,
engine load, and fuel rate to ignition timing. Others can
check your engine for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) so you
can address a potential 'service engine soon' problem before it
becomes a reality, they can even turn off your check engine
light for you.
Who Can Use an Electronic Gas Mileage
Device?
Pretty much anyone who drives a 1996 and newer
car or light truck. Vehicles were mandated then to be
equipped with an OBDII (on-board diagnostics) connector that
measured what the engine was doing emmission-wise. Gas
mileage devices are basically gadgets that plug in to the OBDII
connector that provide all kinds of information on engine
performance and how to save money on gas. Parents with
teens like gas mileage devices because they can track how far
and how fast their teenager drove their car last
night!
The Best Gas Mileage Devices
It's widely held that the best gas mileage
devices, also known as scan tools, data loggers or performance
meters, are the ScanGaugeII and the Auterra Dyno-Scan DashDynoSPO. Both
mount in your vehicle and log your engines data.
DIY hho guys recommend the Auterra Dyno-Scan, but
both will work. The DashDynoSPO also
includes GPS info, with Palm pda software and Google Earth
vehicle playback. Scan tool prices depend on the
coolness factor.
Installing Gas Mileage Devices
How do you find the plug to connect the gas
mileage device? The OBDII connector is a 16-pin connector
that should be located within one meter of the steering column
inside your vehicle. In most cases it is under the dash
slightly to the left or right of the steering column.
Sometimes it's concealed behind the ashtray or a plastic
cover. If you're really looking for how to
save money on gas, gas mileage devices can definitely take out
the guess work.
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