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Topic: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage? (Read 317 times) previous topic - next topic
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Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
If you only drive in the flatlands, this should not be a concern to you.

When we got our LD in 2007, Scanguage's were being tooted here as one of the must have gadgets. Not wanting to be the only ones one on the block without one, we ordered one. I have not seen them mentioned here in several years. Perhaps you don't know what they are? They are NOT engine tuners. They plug in the diagnostic port under the dash and allow you to monitor items not shown on your instrument panel. Our model allows four things to be monitored at a time. Our setup is for MPG, throttle pressure, air temperature at the intake manifold and transmission temperature. The last one is the most important to us when climbing steep grades. If the temp exceeds 210 degrees, I think about pulling off and letting it cool down or  un-hooking the toad. Transmissions rebuilds are expensive and if yours gets too hot, you will find out how how expensive.

MPG and throttle pressure give instant feedback to allow you to save a little fuel. You see it show 2.9MPG up a grade and 20+ down the grade. [Unless your engine is braking due to the steep decent] [We get 8.5 on the flats towing]



I would not be surprised to learn that they are other brands, perhaps better ones than ScanguageII on the market. Perhaps some of the learned gear-heads will post about them.

/Scanguage web site
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
Reply #1 –
There are many options for monitoring the OBDII bus including Bluetooth devices, that plug into the OBDII port, which utilize a smart phone for the read-out.
I have tried a couple of them and have had continuous problems keeping the OBDII Bluetooth device and smart phone synced.
Plus, it requires keeping the smart phone constantly in the monitor mode.
I prefer separate devices, that work well, instead of lumping many functions on one device and having to keep changing modes.
Too much driver distraction.

I have a ScanGuage in the LD and a UltraGauge in the Jeep.
I find the ScanGauge to be much easier to use and program.
Two UltraGauges have been given to me by frustrated owners who gave up on the programming. 
The base model UltraGauge does not have the capacity to read the transmission temperature, one of the major reasons why I want a gauge. in the LD.
The more expensive ScanGauge does have transmission temperature capability.

BTW, a transmission temp of 210 is not hot,  it is well within the normal operating range of a modern automatic transmission.
240 and above is when I start slowing down, primarily because the engine coolant temps is going be getting high at this point, both temperatures are very related to each other.
The 'charts shown in various magazines pertaining to transmission temperature and transmission life are the same bit of misinformation that were published 40 years ago. Short term elevated temps do not harm the transmission or its oil. Long term overheating is a different animal.
If you are really concerned, bigger transmission coolers are available.
The one shown below has twice the cooling surface area of the stock Ford cooler (which isn't small).
Transmission oil cooler | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
Reply #2 –
I have a Scan Gauge. Please refresh my memory. At what temp is the water temp reading too high.

Jim
Re: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
Reply #3 –
I wouldn't waste time monitoring water temp, as the dash gauge is fine for noting any problems. Our ScanGauge I set for trans temp, intake temp, instant mileage, and average mileage.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
Reply #4 –
To answer my own question. I found this which seems pretty helpful.

"Your engine's cooling system is filled with a 50/50 mixture of water and ethylene glycol antifreeze. The coolant will boil at 225 degrees unless it is held under pressure by the radiator cap. A 15 PSI radiator cap will increase the boiling temperature of a 50/50 coolant blend up to 265 degrees F. If the concentration of antifreeze to water is upped to 70/30 (the maximum recommended), the boiling temperature with a 15 psi radiator cap goes up to 276 degrees."

On this webpage.

Engine Overheating
Re: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
Reply #5 –
Jim

The highest temps I have observed was 235, which occurred on a 110 degree day, pulling the Jeep, on a very long, upgrade in the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California. Trans temp was about the same.

The engine's computer will go into LIMP mode if the temps exceed 250, so there is nice margin of error.
In LIMP mode, the computer shuts of the fuel to one side (bank) of the engine at a time, pumping just air for a period before restoring the fuel flow, to the bank, and shutting off the opposite head for a period to cool.  The engine can continue to run, with the power highly reduced, even without coolant. Nice if a hose pops and you don't notice the rapid increase in the coolant temperature.
The LD will probably go no faster than 10 MPH, but it will get you off the road and it also prevents the engine from burning up. This is the main reason why few, if any V10s,  have reported serious overheating or heat-related failures on the forum.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
Two UltraGauges have been given to me by frustrated owners who gave up on the programming. The base model UltraGauge does not have the capacity to read the transmission temperature, one of the major reasons why I want a gauge.

My experience with the UltraGauge has been much more positive. First, I bought the UltraGauge MX 1.3 ($80), which reads my Ford engine's transmission temperature without needing me to enter any special codes--I just chose that parameter from a menu. And in general, I found the UltraGauge no harder to set up than the ScanGauge. (I have one of those as well, currently living in my Subaru Forester.)

What I like about the UltraGauge is that it shows much more information (up to eight measurements, or in my case, four in medium-sized type and two in large type), and shows it much more legibly. Compared to the ScanGauge, the UltraGauge's display has more readable numbers thanks to its higher resolution, and much higher contrast. For me, the UltraGauge was a big step up in overall usability.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 

BTW, a transmission temp of 210 is not hot,  it is well within the normal operating range of a modern automatic transmission.
240 and above is when I start slowing down, primarily because the engine coolant temps is going be getting high at this point, both temperatures are very related to each other

Good to know. I will stay with 210 simply because I thought 220 was in the danger zone and it may be a few minutes until a pull off can be found. Pull offs in some states are far and few between.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Towing in the mountains - Do you have a Scanguage?
Reply #8 –
I have the scangauge reading Avg mpg, MPH,   Water Temp and Intake temp.   When hitting a grade, I swap the intake temp for Trans temp.   Scangauge and Garmin usually agree w/in 1 mph, and much lower than speedometer.   I've been thinking of the Ultra and its additional parameters onscreen.  SG water temp seems more sensitive than the dash steamgauge. Besides, on the top of the dash, it's easier to see.  IMO, worth the investment, same as the TPMS system.
 
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE