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RR24's avatar
RR24
Explorer
May 17, 2014

2008 F250 V10 question

To start this off, I just bought the 2008 F250 with the V10, and I dont care much for the idiot gauges. So what would be a good after market setup that I could plug into the obdii port to monitor the temps and pressures, for sure the tranny temp.

Thanks Wes

20 Replies

  • My 07 Cummins had some real gauges, some buffered. Engine coolant temp was dead accurate until a certain level, then, even as the actual temp continued to climb, the needle didn't. Then, once it reached another threshold, the needle would move 20% up in 1 second, then back to being accurate again. Oil pressure was also buffered. Its common. The scangauge I had gave the real/actual numbers.
  • Oil pressure in the Fords is a simple switch.

    The engine and transmission temperatures do get a sender signal, but the PCM buffers the signal so it doesn't fluctuate within the normal range.
  • They have what a lot of people refer to as "idiot gauges". They don't actually indicate pressures and temperatures. Instead a limit switch and the computer just directs the needle to point into a reasonable range unless there is a problem.

    It's not just Ford doing this. My GMC has an oil pressure switch. The computer calculates what pressure the "gauge" should indicate. If it drops below about 7psi the needle drops immediately to zero.
  • Thought all F250 V10s had gauges plus a tachometer. My 2002 and 2008 had gauges, including tranny temp.
  • Edge Insight CTS (color touch screen). More expensive, but more versatile and expandable.
  • A dongle is a small electronic item that plugs into a port.

    I also recommend a Scangauge 2. They are very useful devices in so many ways.
  • If you have a smart phone you can get an adapter (bluetooth or WiFi dongle) with that and an appropriate app this will give you everything the scangauge gives you and then some. I am using an Iphone 4 with the Dash Command APP and a WiFi dongle.
  • I think the SCANGAUGE would be my choice as it can be programmed to do several functions. I love mine on the V10.