Best OBDII Code Readers

ScanGauge II 3-in-1 Compact Multifunction Vehicle Computer with Customizable Display

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 2 inches ; 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• ASIN: B000AAMY86
• Item model number: SG2

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Description

The ScanGaugeII is a 3-in-1 automotive computer that combines a multifunction trip computer, diagnostic scan tool, and up to 37 digital gauges in one small package. It connects easily to your vehicle's On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) port and communicates directly with the vehicle's computer. Not sure if your car uses OBDII or Controller Area Network (CAN)? The unit will automatically determine which system to use and switch to it. The ScanGaugeII works on all 1996 or newer OBDII cars, including gas, diesel, propane and hybrid vehicles, as well as vehicles with the latest CAN systems. A detachable cable allows for easy transfer between multiple vehicles. Its menu-driven operation means there's no need to memorize complex sequences, and no tools are required for installation.


Gauges include:

• Horsepower
• Fuel Consumption Rate to 1/100th per gallon/liter
• Vehicle speed (MPH)
• Fuel Economy
• Cost Per Mile/Cost Per Trip
• Manifold Pressure (not available on some vehicles)
• Battery Voltage
• Engine Load
• Coolant Temperature
• Throttle Position
• Intake Air Temperature
• Ignition Timing
• Engine Speed (RPM)
• O2 Sensor Data
• Fuel Trim
• Hybrid Battery Charge (for Toyota Prius and Ford Escape)
• And many more, depending on your vehicle's sensor design

Amazon Customer Reviews

Very easy to install. Very informative gauge displays., 
November 23, 2009 
5 Stars

I bought this to read and clear trouble codes but the X-Gauge displays are great.

Installation was very quick. The OBD connector (at least in my Honda) is not buried in the wiring under the dash. It's mounted on the bottom edge of the dash sheet metal just above the gas pedal, very easy to find.

I mounted the ScanGauge on my steering column cover with the supplied velcro in a few minutes. It's very light so the velcro works and it blocks only part of my odometer.

It displays your choice of four gauges and many of the 'gauges' are things never available in a 'gauge' before like instant, trip and ave. MPG and intake air temp. The data is fascinating.


Paid for itself in <3 months, 
September 2, 2009
5 Stars

The device itself does not make any changes to your vehicle to improve fuel mileage. What it WILL do is show you how much fuel you are using based on your current driving habits. If you are willing to make changes to the way you drive based on the feedback this device provides, you might just experience some impressive increases in fuel economy.

Some vehicle models come from the factory with trip/mileage computers and for those vehicles this gauge MIGHT be redundant UNLESS you might also be interested in some of the other parameters this gauge might measure. One parameter in particular might be transmission temperature for those who tow and have automatic transmissions. Before you order, it would be a good idea to contact the Scangauge folks in Mesa, Az to see if this device will function with your model
vehicle for parameters in which you are interested.

I run this device on 2 different vehicles: 1) 1999 F250 Superduty with the 7.3l Powerstroke and 2) a 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5x with a 5sp manual transmission. To switch vehicles, engine displacement, size of the fuel tank and type of fuel have to be changed. Easy enough. The unit can give you bit of a headache setting it up, but after you've done it a few times, it really is a piece of cake. The tougher part can be setting up the XGauge, which allows
you to program the device to read certain parameters that your OBDII computer might be monitoring. It is important to note that not all vehicles will have sensors installed that will provide the data to the Scanguage. Also, the commands provided just might not work on all vehicles. However, there should be few problems measuring parameters associated with fuel economy.

Most of our driving could be considered a rural 35 mile commute to town. The Subaru gets that duty. Prior to using the Scangauge, we were getting a solid 27-28 mpg on our Subaru. We were really kind of pleased with that. After hooking the SG up and inputting some necessary information for our engine size, etc., it pretty much sustained what we already knew by calculating fuel consumption the old-fashioned way.

But then we started using the feedback from the Scangauge to adjust how much throttle we were applying under certain conditions. This is where it gets good. The feedback is instantaneous, so you don't have to wait til the next fillup to see how well you did. I had always believed that better fuel mileage could be obtained by shifting to a lower gear and not using as much throttle to go up a hill. The Scanguage showed me that was not always true and that it
was sometimes best to stay in the taller gear as long as you don't lug the engine.

I also decided that if there was no traffic bearing down on me, I would take A LOT longer to accelerate to reach highway speeds. The same went for slowing down. With no traffic behind me, I could take A LOT longer to DECELERATE making full use of engine compression to slow the vehicle down. Not only did our fuel economy improve to 31-32 mpg (14.3% better!), but I'm also still on the ORIGINAL brake pads...coming up on 135,000 miles!

I've done a LOT of driving in my time, much of it on the autobahns of Germany for 10 years and I know brakes. I still have 25% of the original brake pad material available which could conceivably put me at 168,000 miles before I do my first brake job on this car! Not only are the pads not wearing, but the discs look pretty good, too!

On the Powerstroke, results were even better. I was seeing an average of 13 mpg and that improved 23% to 16 mpg average for a local 12 mile round trips. On trips to the mountains I can get 18 mpg. Also, the Scangauge keeps me informed on my transmission fluid temperature when towing our 5th wheel trailer. I had also hoped that the Scangauge would provide information on torque at the torque converter (CTQ), Torque Converter Line Pressure (LPC), and Torque Converter
Speed Ratio (SLP), but my truck does not have sensors for those parameters. I also learned with the gallons per hour (GPH) feature that this truck would burn .6+ GPH sitting at a stop light with the transmission in D. By shifting into N, consumption dropped to .43 GPH, a 31% savings. The display can be set to show 4 parameters at once.

In summary, after you drive with this device for a while, you are likely to change the way you drive. These changes can become so well ingrained that you might find that you will maintain your fuel economy, even after you remove the device and put it in another vehicle.

This device does a few other things as well, so look the literature over and remember to contact the company to see if it will work for your intended application if you intend to use for more than just monitoring fuel econmomy.

The Scangauge II isn't for everybody. Folks who are not technically inclined might find it a bit laborious to set up and may not really be interested in the information it provides. Also, if you are already an experienced "hypermiler", you might have already honed your driving skills to the point where you might not see much improvement in fuel economy. You might even already own one of these!

It is easy to fault this device for a somewhat laboriously techie setup, etc. But, as you use it, you begin to appreciate the thought that went into it. There is only so much you can put into a small package and still make this thing useful and fit in the cockpit of your car. But really, once it is setup,
you really don't have to fool with it anymore. Changing vehicles is simple. It has already paid for itself in the first 3 months. It gets 5 stars from me.


A Delighted Scan Gauge User, 
May 17, 2009
5 Stars

I recently got ambitious and decided to install a Scangauge II. I purchased this particular device because of the positive reviews it had on Amazon. My unit was a little over a year old and although it had never been previously installed I sadly discovered that it did not work in my 2007 Hybrid Highlander. Nothing at all appeared on the screen. It was just dead. I called the company in Arizona to find out how much it would cost to get it repaired. I was amazed when they said the repair would be free. After all the unit was a month or two out of warranty but they said this would not a problem.

I sent the unit back to them last Tuesday, and on Saturday in four days I received the repaired (or replaced) unit. I was amazed by the prompt service. You can imagine how delighted I was when I plugged it in and it worked fine! I have been playing with the multitude of screens and settings possible. I took a brief drive and it seems to agree with my built in gauges but also includes much more information. I am sure it will help me desire to find the most fuel efficient route between home and work. I have several possible routes, but it is difficult to guess which is better for fuel consumption.

It is not every day that a supplier impresses me with service! After this good experience I thought I owed the company a very positive review.



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