ScanGauge II

ScanGaugeII “The Ultra Compact 3-in-one Automotive Computer”, that what written in the front of ScanGauge Box. The size of the ScanGauge II is 4.8"W x 1.5"H x 1"D, quite small just need a Velcro to put in your dash. The functions of this mini digital gauge are:

• Scan tool, retrieve codes and reset warning lights. Turn off the check engine light.
  
• Trip computer; display trip data with automatic trip-start feature. Trip data includes: trip distance, driving time, fuel consumption, maximum rpm, max coolant temperature, distance to empty, etc.
  
• Digital Gauges; display the current operating conditions of your vehicle in real-time.

ScanGauge installation is really easy, just plug and connect to OBDII* plug in your car. Starting from 1996 most of vehicles product have been equipped with OBDII plug, usually the plug located under the dash in driver seat side.

First time I saw this product in IPDUSA site, then I bought itaround 2 months ago and tried to install to my car. Here my short review:

• Volvo S60 2004, the ScanGauge works well, however the S60 already have the trip computer, so some of the ScanGauge capability is useless for this car. But ScanGauge is very good when retrieving trouble codes and the reset the engine check.
  
• Volvo S40 2001, this car have no computer trip, ScanGauge completely useful for this car. When the scangauge installed, I just realized that this Volvo can reach 6 ltr / 100 km fuel consumption with effective driving style, the Volvo fuel management is very efficient. Almost all function of the gauge are working, including engine loading (LOD) and throttle position setting (TPS).


• Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ, this car have no computer trip and MID, almost all off the ScanGaugeII function were working in this car. However the engine loading gauge is not works. This situation have been explain in the ScanGauge user manual, that not all vehicles given all information, its depend on the type of vehicles. I just realize why the AMC i6 4.0 liters engine is so thirsty, the fuel management is completely different with Volvo S40, when you push the throttle, the jeep will give 20 ltr to 25 ltr per 100 km (its normal) while the Volvo use 12 to 14 liter per 100 km, but when you release the throttle, jeep consumption is around 12 to 14 liters per 100 km however the Volvo only used 1 to 3 liters per 100 km, what a different.


• My old YJ Jeep, useless, no OBDII plug.

How much the price? I bought it for US$ 189 in my country, in US the price less than US$ 170. The capability of ScanGauge is very useful if your car is not equipped with computer trip or multi information display. After all I satisfied with this ScanGaugeII capability, it worth for its price.

OBDII* = on board diagnostic 2, implemented by 1st January 1996 in US

TYRE MAINTENANCE ; ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE

A wheel alignment is a process involved in making sure all yours tyres are pointing in the right direction. The biggest giveaways your alignment is out, is a wear pattern in the thread that is bias to one side more than the other due to incorrect camber. In some cases, the vehicles may pull to one sides or not willingly travel in a straight line. In certain Jeep line-up (CJ, XJ, ZJ and WJ), incorrect alignment and wheel balance may trigger a “Death Wobble”, the front wheel shaking unsynchronizely in normal driving speed.

Four-wheel alignment makes sure that the rear wheels follow the front wheels in a parallel path. Different manufacturers set different specifications for the angles created between the suspension, steering, wheels and the frame of the vehicle. When these angles are correct, the vehicle is properly aligned.

Before checking and adjusting any wheel alignments setting, it is good practice to check the suspension and vehicle ride height . Any bent or broken suspension component will mean that setting alignment will be at best difficult and at worst pointless.

The main reasons for correct alignment are to
ensure that the vehicle achieves:
● minimum rolling friction
● maximum tyre mileage
● stability on the road
● steering control for the driver.

Diagnosing incorrect alignments is usually just a matter of examining the:
● tyres for unusual wear
● wheels for damage
● steering wheel for position.

Four basic wheel settings or angles determine whether a vehicle is properly aligned.
● Camber is the inward or outward tilt of a wheel compared to a vertical line. If the camber is out of adjustment, it will cause tyre wear on one side of the tyre’s tread. Of the alignment settings camber will have the largest effect on tyre noise
● Caster is the degree that the car’s steering axis is tilted forward or backward from the vertical as viewed from the side of the car. If the caster is out of adjustment, it can cause problems with self-centring and wander. Caster has little effect on tyre wear.
● Toe refers to the directions in which two wheels point relative to each other. Incorrect toe causes rapid tyre wear to both tyres equally. Toe is the most common adjustment and it is always adjustable on the front wheels and is adjustable on the rear wheels of some cars.
● Offset is the amount that the rear wheels are out of line, or off set, with the front. Ideally, each rear wheel should be exactly in line with the corresponding front wheel.

Even your wheels are aligned, an unbalanced tyre produces vibration as it rotates and easily recognized by the driver. Wheel balances more important to driver comfort than tyre wear.

TYRE MAINTENANCE: ROTATION

Each tyre will have its own wear pattern, if this goes unchanged then mean it may render the tread long before it should. By rotating tyres at regular intervals, the wear pattern will spread out over all four tyres, and the result is much longer tyre-life expectancy. Non directional tyres should be rotated at 6,000 - 7,000 miles intervals. The diagrams below showing a rotation patern for non-directional tyres. For the directional tyres that can go on the one side of the vehicles should be rotated front to rear.

BUYING USED 4X4 VEHICLES

Buying used used 4x4 its fun and a bit tricky. Usually the person who have a plan to buy used 4x4 have also another plan in their mind: go to 4WD shop and looking for some additional accessories for the their 4WD.

Before you buy, take a little time for internet research, talk with your friend who have 4WD, then its good if you can decide what type 4WD that you want to buy. In this case its often someone want to buy a Jeep in their mind and back home with a Nissan Patrol.

If you serious about modification plan, consider your geographic area. In United States of course is a heaven for Jeep or Ford owners. In Aussie, jeep is minority and lack of available accessories, however its bunch and plenty supporting equipment for Toyota and Nissan. In Europe maybe you can looking for Land Rover.

There are some tips before you decide to purchase:
- Do a quick inspection for the exterior, looking for body damage, rust or maybe poor roof condition. Small dent and scratch is normal.
- Try to open and close all doors, make sure all doors can close properly. A poor door alignment is a sign that vehicle has a major crash previously.
- Open the engine hood, looks for any leaking from the engine, check for torn wire, check the fluids quality (engine oil, trans oil, brake oil, power steering oil).
- Check the radiator coolant, make sure there is no oil sign in the coolant.
- Go inside the car and inspect the interior, especially in the floor area. If the previous owner used this car for real off roading, there is always potential they used this car crossing a pond or river. A water could trap under the carpet and starting rust.
- Turn on the engine, let it idle for a while. Inspect for any strange noise from the engine. If you look at for diesel engine 4WD, took a close hear near the injector pump. This pump is one of the main consideration, it is costly to repair.
- Engage the gear, and ask for test drive. If you inspect an automatic transmission car push the gear lever to every position (P, N, D, 3, 2, 1 etc), feel the engine pulling before you push the throttle.

That the above tips actually can use for any car, not only for for 4 WD. For the 4WD car you might need to inspect more like: .....more