RV Fuel Issues & Prices - Post 'Em Here!

Wow, high diesel costs have arrived up here. Prices are up to $4.39 to $4.59. Gasoline prices are running $3.74 to $3.79.

You should read the link provided and get yourself up to speed on the modern systems.

LindsayRichards wrote:
I guess that is why they call them idiot lights. The purpose of the gauges is to help evaluate how your actions affect your engine and your fuel mileage. You can also nip problems in the bud before they become major.

"My GMC and Chevy trucks have always been there to tell me of stuff and currently they watch most everything and report as needed."

This is a read out not an idiot light from the 80's. Why not go and checkout a 2013 and see where stuff has moved to? I think stuff from that era can get historical plates now LOL.

Heck you can stuff a 350 Chevy engine and trans in a 55' Chevy and have a car that is dependable and gets better mileage plus has all the sensors. Good deal, but still isn't anything like a new one as things like suspension, steering, brakes all are antiquated.

I guess that is why they call them idiot lights. The purpose of the gauges is to help evaluate how your actions affect your engine and your fuel mileage. You can also nip problems in the bud before they become major.

I guess I've never worried much about my TVs innards I worry most about the paint and keeping the windows clean with a lot of Rain X. If I had to worry about the engine and trans in the TV where as I would have to watch gauges and be an over land car mechanic I'd likely get another TV that was reliable. Of course with my limited driving while towing of only about 200,000 miles I guess there is some stuff I just didn't know I needed LOL.
My GMC and Chevy trucks have always been there to tell me of stuff and currently they watch most everything and report as needed. I think when on the road I am more concerned about where the cheapest fuel is (this is solved with a poi from Garmin) but most of the trip is just enjoyed listening to books or music not playing with gauges.

Read the link and you will see it isn't just a vacuum gauge.

And yeah, I remember vacuum gauges. I even had one. I suspect that they were only mildly accurate on carbureted engines, not so much on fuel injected engines.

My current Daily Driver was built in 1985, and it's the newest of my 5 vehicles, so I'm guessing that I don't have the right connector for Scan Gauge. I used to have a 1991 in my stable, but I got rid of it at the first sign of trouble. Well, maybe it was after the mysterious balky starting and the trunk fire and a couple things I've pushed out of my mind.

But years ago I drove several cars with vacuum gauges (and even some tow cars for race cars) and was pleased with the results (even in cheap gas times) so I'm interested. But my gas bills are so low these days that it's just an academic interest.

Around here you can get Autozone to read your codes for you. And, since I already have a code reader the scan gauge is for the gauges. But, I didn't pay for it, so... I do like it. :)

BTW, the knock sensor detecting a knock will reduce your ignition timing and therefore reduce your power and possibly your MPG. I would suggest that you attempt to determine what driving situation produces that code and avoid it. It does suggest that a higher octane gasoline would solve the problem. But, at today's prices I'd find another solution.

What I think is useful about the scan gauge is the relative MPH. It quickly points out what your actions in the drivers seat do to your mpg. You can get this info instantly. When driving on a flat expressway, I would change my driving style and it would tell me what affect it was having on my mileage. I bought it because I had a code and it was cheaper than a trip to the shop. I cleared it before my trip and then had another one on the causeway coming back from Tybee Island, GA on a Sunday morning. I pulled over and used the ScanguageII to get the code number. I have the code website in my favorites on my Smart phone. I brought it up and found the code (P0326 as I remember; maybe be off a little). This is an antiknock code and I have been told by my mechanic to ignore it. The whole thing took less than 5 minutes, but boy was I glad to have it. One problem I did see was that I tended to fool with the various gauges that can be displayed and look at the road less. This can be verified by my wife's yelling at me.