Aftermarket Gas Mileage Computer?

[USMC_Family04]

Anyone seen an aftermarket gas mileage computer? I like that computer in my wife's van. I tells how many gallons are left, how many estimated miles you have left, and your average fuel consumption. It will tell you what mleage you got per trip, or it will give an instant gas mileage as well. I would like to install something like that in my 03 tundra. Anyone ever seen anything like that?

[Buzzard]

I had a factory unit in an 89 Ford van. It was very seldon correct. IMO it was just a toy to play with. It was part of the deal when I bought the van---I would not pay extra for this if I had a choice. Just my opinion. Maybe the are more accurate now. ---Buzz

[USMC_Family04]

I think they are more accurate now. The one in my wife's van is pretty dang close to what I calculate on my own. I just don't know of an aftermarket on I can install.

[toyotafreak]

Our Sequoia came with it. In a nutshell, it's optimistic by 0.9 mpg over one tank. To get this figure, you've got to reset the thing when you fill up. By the time the tank's done, it's off by point nine. And that's true miles, not indicated. With the 265/65-17 tires, you've got to multiply the odometer miles by 1.047 to get true miles. Then divide that by number of gallons burnt and you'll get true mpg. This true mpg will be 0.9 worse than what the AVG indicator says. Now...DTE (distance to empty) must be based on AVG mpg, so your DTE will be optimistic, too. And the longer you go between resets, the more innacurate the AVG is. My wife does use the DTE though ("damn, we only have 11 miles left.")

It would be helpful to know over what period of time or distance the AVG integrates. Like, it averages mpg over the past 1000 miles, or three tanks or 30 days or truck-to-date or something. Then at least I'd know when that last trip to Havasu towing the boat (10.5 mpg) has been forgotten about.


But this is just an an ex-squid's opinion ;-) An airdale squid at that.

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by USMC_Family04

Anyone seen an aftermarket gas mileage computer? I like that computer in my wife's van. I tells how many gallons are left, how many estimated miles you have left, and your average fuel consumption. It will tell you what mleage you got per trip, or it will give an instant gas mileage as well. I would like to install something like that in my 03 tundra. Anyone ever seen anything like that?

Aftermarket? Seriously doubt it. This is a low volume truck (~100K units per year) and there really hasn't been much aftermarket interest in general. Furthermore, there really aren't many aftermarket trip computers anyway due to the need to interface tightly with the electronics of each vehicle.

However, Toyota apparently made a Trip Computer available as an option starting with the '04s (at least on the Double Cabs). It might be retrofittable to an '03 though I certainly wouldn't be holding my breath. You might want to check with your dealer's parts department about ordering one of the '04 trip computers.

I concur on the handiness of the things...had one on a mid-80s Audi...they give you a pretty good idea of enroute fuel burn rate and about much farther you can go before a fuel stop is needed. Would be nice to put one on my '03.

[pcaraway]

I have used a scanguage for two months now. It allows you to adjust for tire size as well as gallons used to set a % of error. It is a little large and I used velcro to attach it underneath my ashtray. It plugs into the OBDII port underneath the dash. It can also reset and read codes and give other info like water temp. I find it reasonably accurate and helpfull for saving gas. It can also be moved from car to car easily.

[dialup_2001]

LISTEN EVERYONE, if you want a DESCENT trip computer to fit in your dash (I de-gutted mine and made it fit IN my Mercedes W124 Coupe Dash!!!) then check out trip-computer.co.uk amazing site with aftermarket trip computers and very helpful chap!!! I bought a JIMS trip computer and was amazed by accuracy and features!!!!

[confederate2]

I just installed the ScanGauge II in my 03 Tundra for just the reasons you described but mainly to help me control my driving habits for maximum mpgs. It works great and gives instant feedback. It does everything you are wanting and way more. It is also a diagnostic tool as well for OBDII vehicles.

ScanGaugeII - Scan Tool + Digital Gauges + Trip Computers

Good luck
Sammy

[jamesjr4750]

About fricken' time

THANKS!!!!!!! very cool

[scavoj]

Originally Posted by confederate2

I just installed the ScanGauge II in my 03 Tundra for just the reasons you described but mainly to help me control my driving habits for maximum mpgs. It works great and gives instant feedback. It does everything you are wanting and way more. It is also a diagnostic tool as well for OBDII vehicles.

ScanGaugeII - Scan Tool + Digital Gauges + Trip Computers

Good luck
Sammy

Awesome! Thanks. I just ordered one.

I love this forum...

[confederate2]

I think both of you will like it. It is amazing how much your mpgs can go up if you just keep your foot of the truck and do more controlled stops and starts and monitor the rpms in each gear. Not to mention a neat little gadget and a scan code tool as well. If either of you are interested I mounted mine using the enclosed velcro right on top of the steering column dead center so it doesn't block any gauges or the odometer and you can quickly remove if you need to. I also have it moved as far forward as possible. I am 5'10 1/2" and can just see the odometer to the right and have to look around it to the left to see the cruise light. So if you are taller you will be good to go with this mounting position, if shorter you might have to move it around to get it just right. Good luck.

Sammy

[scavoj]

Originally Posted by confederate2

I think both of you will like it. It is amazing how much your mpgs can go up if you just keep your foot of the truck and do more controlled stops and starts and monitor the rpms in each gear. Not to mention a neat little gadget and a scan code tool as well. If either of you are interested I mounted mine using the enclosed velcro right on top of the steering column dead center so it doesn't block any gauges or the odometer and you can quickly remove if you need to. I also have it moved as far forward as possible. I am 5'10 1/2" and can just see the odometer to the right and have to look around it to the left to see the cruise light. So if you are taller you will be good to go with this mounting position, if shorter you might have to move it around to get it just right. Good luck.

Sammy

Yep, that's the only place I could find to mount it. I ran the wire between the steering column and the dash. I'm 5'7'' so I have to sit up to see the odometer.

I think it's very inexpensive for the functionality. I've only had it a couple of days but so far I love it. I'm still on my first tank since resetting the FILLUP counter so I don't know how I'm going to have to adjust the % for the DTE calculation. I think it's also great that they included a speed % adjustment for off size tires. Although you still can't change than in the ECU, it will at least give you an accurate speedometer.

[blackrain]

SCANGAUGE II Look it up..... Does all of that and more!

[LifeTech]

Scan guage II is smaller now and sits nice on my steering column cover.
Two months later, this is the best out there for the price and ease of install.
And , their tech dept. is great.

One thing I haven't figured out is that the OBD II "mode" type comes up ISO, But the Scan guage tech dept says I have "Can" in my 2006 Highlander. If I go to force Can Mode, it won't Connect.Mine is a March 2006 production date. He is mistaken fo rsome reason. Any way the scan guage works exactly as stated. Great degree of accurracy and fine tuneablility

[craven]

Is this scanguage difficult to install? Does it void the warrantee?