ScanGaugeII Observations

acadianbob · 03-27-2011, 02:58 PM

While on the 16 hour tow back to MN a couple of days ago, I decided to experiment with the ScanGaugeII. Specifically, I brought up LOD; which measures the % of total engine capacity currently being utilized at current engine RPM; and CTQ or Computed Torque figures. Generally I ran at about 80's of percent load. I used cruise control to keep steady speed and RPM (until a downshift happened). I noticed that, as a grade presented itself, the CTQ would rise as more throttle was fed. Also the LOD percentage would go up. Then as LOD hit 99%, you could observe the maximum CTQ (torque) that the engine was able to produce at that RPM. Any further throttle would product no result. It was at that point that the transmission would downshift. That, of course, raised the RPM. The higher RPM allowed the engine to produce the additional torque required to meet demand. The transmission programming is smart; allowing for peak torque production. You could essentially plot a torque curve then by doing the experiment at different selected initial RPMs. Torque does tend to begin to fall off in the higher RPM ranges so it may be different at 4,000 RPM and above. But most of my towing is 1,800 to 2,500 RPM and it seemed to be very consistent up to about 3,500 RPM. I personally refuse to run my engine any harder than that for any length of time. It seems easier on everything just to back off a bit and reduce demand when it gets to that point.

Well, I had to amuse myself SOMEHOW during that long grind home!

MtnGuy · 03-27-2011, 04:50 PM

I am going to have to check that out next time towing. I usually have the torque converter slippage, gear ratio, transmission temperature, and miles per gallon displayed on the gauge. Do you just scan the options with the buttons to get the LOD and CTQ ??

lbrjet · 03-27-2011, 06:39 PM

I haven't been able to get CTQ to work on my truck. Not sure why.

acadianbob · 03-27-2011, 07:39 PM

Yes. Just keep pushing the button. CTQ and LOD. What do you use for torque converter slip Chap?

MtnGuy · 03-28-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Yes. Just keep pushing the button. CTQ and LOD. What do you use for torque converter slip Chap?

If you mean what are the initials, I think SLP is the default, but I think that can be changed.....I haven't messed with that for a while.

If you mean why do I monitor that, I keep an eye on it to see when it locks up. I have learned a lot on how the truck works by watching the scan gauge. For instance, the 1st downshift that I feel from OD is not the transmission shifting from 4th to 3rd, but rather the torque converter unlocking. The next downshift is then 4th to 3rd. When turning off the OD while in 4th gear, the tranny shifts to 3rd as well as the torque converter unlocking, but if the truck is not under much load the torque converter will lock up again almost immediately. Of course, the torque converter should be unlocked any time the tranny changes gears.

Watching the SLP and gear ratio reading, I can keep up with what is going on with my gearing.......I do sometimes miss having a manual transmission.

Goomph · 03-28-2011, 07:52 AM

Does your SLP stays at 0.99 indicating a torque convertor lock up easily ? Mine stays at 0.99 almost all the time. Seeing a 1.00 is quite rare !

MtnGuy · 03-28-2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goomph

Does your SLP stays at 0.99 indicating a torque convertor lock up easily ? Mine stays at 0.99 almost all the time. Seeing a 1.00 is quite rare !

Yes, same here....seldom see 1.00. I figure .99 is close enough to be a full lockup. I don't think it has ever gone below .99 while locked up, but will see it go over 1.00 going down a step hill.

Goomph · 03-28-2011, 08:04 AM

Same here, has to be going downhill or really really ease up on the gas. I love my ScanGauge II though ! If I had the money I would have purchased one more

acadianbob · 03-28-2011, 09:04 AM

Well that is INTERESTING! I was inquiring about the code but the discussion was very helpful. I was not aware of what that code meant. Chap, you are exactly right about how the transmission works. When I am towing in OD, and if I see a hill that I know it won't be able to hold, I lock out overdrive (temporarily). The reason is that I'd rather be in 3rd with lock than in 4th with it not locked. I think that generates less heat.

I'm with you. I sure miss my 5-speed manual that I had in my last F150. But, when you are towing, an automatic really makes sense. And the 5 speed didn't have the load handling capacity to handle the larger motors. Oh well . . . .

Chap, I think the new 6 speed with select shift does a lot better job of staying locked up. If I understand it right, it will, for example, shift from 6th with lock to 5th with lock; rather than unlocking in 6th. That seems a lot more efficient to me. I suspect that Ford's strategy with the 4 speed autos that we have is to make up for the lack of more "gears". Unlocking allows more revs; simulating a lower gear.

MtnGuy · 03-28-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Well that is INTERESTING! I was inquiring about the code but the discussion was very helpful. I was not aware of what that code meant.

OK, I think I know what you are referring to now. If you go to X Gauge on the website, you will have a page of codes (http://scangauge.com/support/pdfs/XGAUGE.pdf). There are some Ford specific codes near the bottom for X Gauge functions. If I remember correctly when I set mine up, there were 2 sets of Ford codes, and of course I used the incorrect 1s 1st, and couldn't get them to work. After a call to Scan Gauge, they set me straight........"just try the 2nd set of codes, dummy".......well, they didn't add dummy, I did that.

There was an interesting article on the GMA show a couple of weeks ago on how to stretch your fuel mileage (hypermiling). In that segment, they showed a scan gauge, and mentioned that it was a great tool for improving your fuel mileage simply by watching the gauge and trying to maximize the MPG numbers.

Goomph · 03-28-2011, 10:58 AM

I surely use my SG-II to improve my mileage ... Going uphill sometimes I see that my current mpg is around 5-6 mpg, and I backoff till I see a more preferable number. Some of those hills are 4-10 miles long and I have no intention of burning a few gallons of gas just because I am going at 60 miles an hour. Climbing that hill or the next at 40 miles an hour makes my precious gas last a tad longer

We are going camping , and I am not in a hurry, and travelling is part of the experience !

My only wish is, I hope one day they come up with a better display showing more things at one time, rather than the LCD display.

And I also programmed mine using the x-gauge stuff to show the transmission temperature, actually that is the strongest reason I purchased one.

MtnGuy · 03-28-2011, 11:21 AM

Goomph, I also purchased my ScanGauge II mainly to monitor my transmission temperature, and even called beforehand to make sure it would work on my truck for that.

But on the open road, I seem to monitor my gas stats more than the engine stats, to try to maximize my fuel mileage. I will mess with my "current mileage" and the reset button to see what I can get on the next section of road. Speed, and stop and go traffic are the big killers.

Goomph · 03-28-2011, 12:52 PM

Yes It is very interesting that speed kills mpg more than the hills. On our way to Florida this past winter from Syracuse to Washington DC, I averaged around 10.1 mpg going over the mountanious, hilly terrain. Speed was around hovering around 60 mph, not exceeding it much. Once I was on the straight roads in an effort to make distance I stepped on it, 67 mph or so an hour on straight roads, and out of a tank of gas got 9.4 mpg, which was an eye opener. Eased up a bit good mileage returned. I averaged 10.4 mpg, and that is thanks S+G-II, for the whole trip from Ontario to Orlando and back. I think I did around 3,200 miles or so. If it wasn't for it, I am sure I would be getting much worse .....

I hate driving in stop and go traffic with my truck (My only vehicle) without even towing. When I go for groceries I come back home with an 6 mpg average

Yeah I combine ALL my driving needs ....

MtnGuy · 03-28-2011, 01:00 PM

I always presumed that the mountains and hills around here killed my mileage, and it does make a slight difference compared to flat land towing....but not much. The gas that is sucked through the engine going uphill, is averaged out with the gas you save going down the other side of the mountain.

prof_fate · 03-28-2011, 04:00 PM

scanguage is soooo last year

ScanTool.net LLC - OBDLink Bluetooth OBD Interface Scan Tool - ScanTool.net

Uses your smartphone w/ a bluetooth adapter. $149 too.

lbrjet · 03-28-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prof_fate

scanguage is soooo last year

ScanTool.net LLC - OBDLink Bluetooth OBD Interface Scan Tool - ScanTool.net

Uses your smartphone w/ a bluetooth adapter. $149 too.

Don't have, need or want a smartphone and the SG II is proven technology. It has a wire, but so does my internet router, so last year's technology (or last century's for that matter - router is 15 years old) fits me just fine.

Goomph · 03-28-2011, 07:50 PM

I am not using my 500 dollar smartphone continuously to see what is going on with my truck, especially when my SG-II can do it for 149 dollars. If they had their own display unit they could communicate with via bluetooth all for 149 dollars, yeah then it would be something nice. The PC diagnostics part does not interest me at all.

Having said that, it would be nice not to have the cable going to SG-II. I guess I will suggest that to them. No doubt it will make it more expensive but it might be a neat option to have.

acadianbob · 03-28-2011, 08:06 PM

OK, my ScanGaugeII does not have an SLP display. I wonder if I have an older gauge or if I need to go back in and add the code you were talking about Chap . . . .

acadianbob · 03-28-2011, 08:49 PM

OK, got curious, went out and found the documentation in the truck. Discovered that the code had not been entered. Probably 1 of 3 different reasons; 1) I missed it 2) I thought it was uninteresting at the time 3) I didn't understand what it was so skipped it

ANYWAY . . . it's in there now and it works. I got readings ABOVE 1.0 when backed off the the throttle and coasting toward a red light . . . well, another fun thing to look at. These things can be worse than texting on your cell phone if you aren't careful !!!

acadianbob · 03-28-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prof_fate

scanguage is soooo last year

I think that you could have raised everyone's attention to this alternative product without being potentially insulting; don't you? New technology is cool but it is not always superior. But thanks for raising awareness of this product. It's always fun to see what is out there . .

Looks like Android only? Looks like it only reads out what is required by law in every vehicle? So, would it be able to display transmission fluid temperature which is not required but available in Ford products? I wonder how easy it would be to read the small display in a moving vehicle in bright light . . .

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