ultra gauge what are your thoughts
- Thread starter t4r4life
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chris360hawks
New member
I went ahead and ordered two.
BrianSD_42
New member
post a pic of how you mounted it.:boink:
the reason I am going to get the scan gauge is because of it its size vs. this one. This one seems to be the size of a GPS and is mounted on the glass in a similar fashion. I already have my droid as the nav console and don't really have room for another 4" device.
the reason I am going to get the scan gauge is because of it its size vs. this one. This one seems to be the size of a GPS and is mounted on the glass in a similar fashion. I already have my droid as the nav console and don't really have room for another 4" device.
Martinjmpr
New member
9 months with an Ultragauge...
As Mad69 said, I've been running an Ultragauge since October and love it.
No transmission temp reading - remember this is an OBDII scanner, if the information is not reported to the OBD computer, the gauge can't read it. AFAIK 3rd gens don't report trans temp to the OBDII.
They have a trans temp warning light but if I understand correctly (corrections welcomed!) that's basically an on/off switch. I.e., it doesn't measure the actual temp, it just has a setting that if the temp gets too high it turns on an idiot light. So if you want trans temp you have to get a separate gauge.
Here's another clue about mounting: Look at Satellite Radio mounts. The "inverted T" on the back of the UG is the same as the one on my XM radio mount. I couldn't get the UG suction cup thing to stick to the window of my DD (97 Mazda Protege) so I got a satellite radio mount that sticks to the dashboard and it works great. In fact, it works so great that I'm thinking of getting one for the 4runner as well since I don't like suction cups - they have a tendency to fall off at inopportune times (although I have to be fair: I did a 10 day trip to Death Valley and my UG suction cup never came off once!)
I actually "shuttle" the UG between my DD Mazda and my 4runner. I'm thinking of throwing down another $60 to get a second gauge, though, so I don't have to do that. The problem with 'shuttling' is that it takes at least two full fill-ups before you get an accurate reading of MPG which is the main thing I use the UG for (well, as a substitute fuel gauge, really. DTE = Distance To Empty.)
As Mad69 said, I've been running an Ultragauge since October and love it.
No transmission temp reading - remember this is an OBDII scanner, if the information is not reported to the OBD computer, the gauge can't read it. AFAIK 3rd gens don't report trans temp to the OBDII.
They have a trans temp warning light but if I understand correctly (corrections welcomed!) that's basically an on/off switch. I.e., it doesn't measure the actual temp, it just has a setting that if the temp gets too high it turns on an idiot light. So if you want trans temp you have to get a separate gauge.
Here's another clue about mounting: Look at Satellite Radio mounts. The "inverted T" on the back of the UG is the same as the one on my XM radio mount. I couldn't get the UG suction cup thing to stick to the window of my DD (97 Mazda Protege) so I got a satellite radio mount that sticks to the dashboard and it works great. In fact, it works so great that I'm thinking of getting one for the 4runner as well since I don't like suction cups - they have a tendency to fall off at inopportune times (although I have to be fair: I did a 10 day trip to Death Valley and my UG suction cup never came off once!)
I actually "shuttle" the UG between my DD Mazda and my 4runner. I'm thinking of throwing down another $60 to get a second gauge, though, so I don't have to do that. The problem with 'shuttling' is that it takes at least two full fill-ups before you get an accurate reading of MPG which is the main thing I use the UG for (well, as a substitute fuel gauge, really. DTE = Distance To Empty.)
t4r4life
Elite Member
just got mine took 2 days, super fast, first impression
mounting was better than i thought, it came with adjustable neck that can be bent into any shapes, the suction cup is also very good it locks, not like my gps falling off every 10 seconds, first thing it did was vehicle info so you enter engine size and fuel capacity, and i guess it takes a while for the gauge to get use to the truck because right now im getting 5.49 mpg lol but i only drove it around my appartment once, ove all im happy oh and one thing this thing looks awesome very modern looking.
Love my Ultragauge. Mounted dead-center in the gauge cluster... wired it in when I had the dash panel off so it looks clean. MPG, instant MPG, range, temps... it's awesome. For $60 it can't be beat... had mine about 3 months now, and I'm buying another for my other vehicle since I hate not having it there.
t4r4life
Elite Member
i know i freaking love it :banana:
t4r4life
Elite Member
i did it like this not my pic but u get the idea (just got back from the gym too lazy to get out and take pics)
cj80cruiser
Senior Member
Ok, heres a dumb question probably, but will it tell actual fuel level even if my OEM gauge is fawkd up?
MAD 69
New member
As long as your sensor is working the UG should be able to read it. Remember, you can always return it if it doesn't work...
One guy mentioned the size, the UG is about the same size as an iPod touch, maybe a little smaller/thinner.
Martinjmpr
New member
No. It will NOT show fuel level.
Remember the UG can only display information that the factory computer provides. The computers on 3rd gen 4runners do not track the fuel level, so the UG will not show that.
What the factory computer does provide is fuel consumption. So, the computer in the UG can calculate the projected DTE (Distance To Empty) based on the size of the gas tank (which you put in manually) and the average MPG.
To do this you have to calibrate. First you calibrate distance (easiest way to do this is with a GPS unit.) Once you've done that, fill the tank and zero the average MPG. Ignore the MPG as it's displayed as it will not be accurate. Drive it around for a few days (the longer the better) then fill the tank again and this time, do the MPG calibration as explained in the manual. Now you will have an accurate MPG reading.
If you normally fill your tank all the way to the top, you can "double check" to make sure your MPG reading is correct. Mine is within .02 % or so, which is close enough for me.
jrm
New member
A couple of calibrating questions
When you set the tank size do you use the actual size of the tank as in the manual or do you take a gallon or two off b/c of the pick up location not being on the floor of the tank?
When do you set "distance" is it being the increment of time thats being measured like mph/kph? or times the wheels turn over times?
:infidel:
When you set the tank size do you use the actual size of the tank as in the manual or do you take a gallon or two off b/c of the pick up location not being on the floor of the tank?
When do you set "distance" is it being the increment of time thats being measured like mph/kph? or times the wheels turn over times?
:infidel:
Martinjmpr
New member
Not sure what you mean by this. The tank capacity is 18.5 gallons, and the amount that's non-usable is certainly less than a "gallon or two." I can confirm that I have pumped 18.3 gallons into my tank before and others have pumped in as much as 18.8 (which accounts for the filler neck, too.) I suppose if you are worried about running out of gas you could set it to 18 gallons so it would give you a half gallon 'cushion.' I prefer to set the actual tank size and simply not let it get below 50 miles DTE (Distance To Empty.) Actually, at ~18mpg average, 50 gallons DTE means that there should be at least 3 gallons in the tank, so maybe 25 miles DTE is a better "absolute fill up" goal.
Incidentally, one of the cool things about the UG is that if you want to you can set an automatic audible alarm for things like that. So you could set it up to where it starts beeping when you get to a certain DTE.
Okay, I don't understand that question. The OBDII computer reports distance traveled to the computer. It also reports speed. It's draws its information from the speed sensor (which I think is in the transmission) and it should be about the same as what the odometer shows (which is why you can't "calibrate" the distance with the odometer.)
IOW, the speed sensor is set so that X number of revolutions = Y distance traveled, and Y distance traveled / Z time = speed. On pre-OBD cars this was done mechanically but on OBDII vehicles the computer does the calculating, and the UG is only reporting what the OBD computer calculates.
The reason you need to calibrate is because most odometers are off, even with stock tires, and if you have non-stock size tires the odometer is definitely off.
Best way to calibrate IMO is with a GPS unit. Most GPS receivers have a trip meter in them, so you set the trip meter on the GPS to zero, then set the trip meter on the UG to zero. Drive for a while and then compare the two (the UG instruction manual explains how to do this.)
Some will argue that a GPS is not 100% accurate, either, and that's true but it's "close enough for government work" as we like to say in the government.
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GottaBeTRD
New member
been lookin at getting one of these mmmhmm. so the scanguage II does do a trans temp but this one doesn't?
t4r4life
Elite Member
99-02 has trans temp in obd2 96-98 doesnt so this is a good deal for me
GottaBeTRD
New member
hmm i may have to bite the bullet and buy a trans temp guage or something too.
gosh i was watching all the youtube videos lastnight of this thing and it seems pretty sweet!
T4r4life hows it workin for you have you changed your driving habbits and saved any gas from it?
gosh i was watching all the youtube videos lastnight of this thing and it seems pretty sweet!
T4r4life hows it workin for you have you changed your driving habbits and saved any gas from it?
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