A Gaggle of Gauges
Auto Meter's Ecometer ($69.99) is a low-cost fuel economy gauge that uses the CAN protocol found on newer vehicles. It displays real-time fuel consumption in both a radial graph and an easy-to-read digital format. Four different modes are available to the driver, including average fuel economy, instant fuel economy and instant fuel economy with a digital tachometer or speedometer display.
Auterra's DashDyno SPD ($329.99) is a full-featured measurement and scanning device that works with any OBD II vehicle. In addition to displaying instant and average fuel economy, it can log data from engine sensors, measure horsepower and torque and even diagnose a "Check Engine" light.
The DashHawk ($299) from MSD Ignition is another full-featured measurement device that includes real-time fuel system status. It uses the CAN protocol and is available online as well as through MSD retailers.
PLX Devices offers three products geared toward fuel-conscious drivers. The original Kiwi ($299.99) is a full-featured meter that works with OBD II vehicles and incorporates "Green Driving" lessons to help you improve your fuel-sipping driving skills.
The company also recently introduced the Kiwi MPG ($89.99) that displays instantaneous mpg, trip mpg and dollars of gas consumed in an easy-to-read digital display. If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can use the Kiwi WiFi ($149.99). It plugs into a car's OBD II and wirelessly connects to an iPhone or iPod Touch so it can send info to compatible auto-performance apps such as Rev by DevToaster and Dash Command by Palmer Performance Engineering.
The ScanGauge II ($169.95) from Linear Logic is popular among hypermilers and has been used to judge hypermiling competitions at events such as the MPG Challenge. The ScanGauge II is designed for all OBD II vehicles and displays any four of 12 built-in gauges at a time. Plus, it has a full-featured trip computer that logs 11 parameters and also functions as an OBD II error-code scanner to diagnose Check Engine lights.
Regardless of which fuel economy meter you choose, you'll likely be making your purchase online, as availability is limited at local auto parts retailers. Several of the meters mentioned above can be purchased directly from the companies' Web sites or through online retailers such as Amazon.com, Summit Racing and JC Whitney. ScanGauge also recently introduced a program with the AutoZone parts chain that allows you to special order the product and pick it up at a local AutoZone store.