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I just got my ScanGauge II a few days ago. Nice unit, and I even read the first few pages of the manual before plugging it in. But after a little while with it I wasn't very satisfied with its performance. It would blank out periodically and sometimes wouldn't work at all after I starting the car. Worst of all, although it did show MPG and other useful stats, it only updated about every 30 seconds -- better feedback than waiting until the next fill maybe, but not exactly the real time feedback I was hoping for.

As it turns out, buried in the back of the SGII manual is a short instruction saying that if you have problems with the display not updating properly, you should select MORE -> MORE -> MODE -> PIDS and change the setting from ALL to SUPPORTED. Interestingly, it specifically mentions 1995-1999 Subarus as requiring this setting, and this is the only mention of a specific vehicle in the entire manual. I guess Subaru's first try at SGII must use a slightly nonstandard communication protocol or something.

Anyway, I entered that setting last night and it now works flawlessly, with updates every second or two, and the display is on whenever the engine is on. Took some baseline runs with it last night, and I'm pretty sure I can use the information from this thing to get my MPG up over 30.

Hope the mods don't mind this thread -- I thought this information might be helpful for any other 95-99 Subaru owners who might be lurking, since it is buried in the back in the ScanGuage manual, is not very obvious, and is absolutely essential to getting the SGII to work in your car.

Hi WriConsult:

___I not only don’t mind a thread like this, I encourage it! Thanks for posting the workaround for your particular Subaru so others can follow your lead. Can you post this to the SG-II review (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/reviews/t-cleanmpg-reviews-the-scangauge-ii-4495.html) as well? There is an FEH workaround by forcing a BUS setting but these little tips and tricks for a specific vehicle were a bit beyond the scope of the review?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Yes Subaru must have fixed the problem because I had no problem with my Scangauge on my 2003 Subaru.

And I've been getting over 30 on long trips (33.5 on a trip to Boston for example) and around 30 sometimes on errands once it's warmed up. Trouble is I use it for a lot of short trips so I don't think my tanks are that good.

I passed my ScanGauge around to various people I work with to let them try it and to try to spur interest in mpg techniques. Might be a good idea if some of us tried that now that gas prices have their attention!

And I've been getting over 30 on long trips (33.5 on a trip to Boston for example) and around 30 sometimes on errands once it's warmed up.That's awesome, and gives me something to shoot for. I used to have a 2000 Outback MT myself (sold it when my wife entered med school, still miss the butt-warmers) and it got 1-2 mpg less than my current Outback (rare 2.2, rated 22/29mpg) so hopefully I can match that with more practice. What speeds are you going to get that kind of highway mileage? Are you doing steady speed, DWL or are you mixing in some P&G?

I did some very preliminary runs last night, just to get a baseline idea of the effects of various techniques. Posted in this thread (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/fuel-economy/t-very-preliminary-non-hybrid-sgii-results-pg-speed-effects-accel-climbing-4819.html#post30218) in the FE forum.

I do a LOT of NICE-ON coasting, and coasting in gear clutch down. On the highway my base speed in the 'Ru is 55 and, depending on traffic, I P&G (ICE-ON) around that. Wider variation, say 65-50-65, when nobody is around, 55-50-55 in heavy traffic.

It would probably do better if I turned the engine off for the glides but I personally don't feel comfortable about engine-off steering or brakes in this car. As Wayne recommends you should find a deserted stretch of road and try it at a moderate speed to see what you think.

We are blessed with good terrain around here. Lots of rolling hills so P&G is just natural, plus slowing a bit on the upticks is expected by traffic.

As I've said elsewhere, hazard flashers are your friend in dealing with trucks coming up behind you. Pop them on when the truck is 1/3 to 1/4 mile back so they can find a slot in the left lane to breeze by, no fuss. I sometimes use them for particularly manic SUV's as well.

I'm embarassed to say that I haven't raised the tire pressures on it yet and I have rowing shell racks on the roof. But except for when I need to carry a bost, I use the Insight for commutes and longer trips.

It would probably do better if I turned the engine off for the glides but I personally don't feel comfortable about engine-off steering or brakes in this car. As Wayne recommends you should find a deserted stretch of road and try it at a moderate speed to see what you think.I do quite a bit of FASing when I'm approaching stoplights where I know I'm goint to turn the engine off anyway. Fortunately you get 4-5 good pumps out of the brake pedal before the assist goes away, and 1 pump is all you need to make a full stop from speed.

I'm starting to get a feel for when the assist dies, because when it does it's really hard to brake a car this size. I do also do some long FAS glides on downhills, but only on stretches that have minimal traffic and cross streets. Fortunately there are a number of places on the various versions of my commute that allow this. I'm still pretty careful about it, and either abort or avoid the FAS if there's any question at all about the safety of doing it.

I've learned I'm quite comfortable with the handling without the power steering. It's still quite easy to maneuver at anything above parking lot speeds. I've had several non power steering cars in the past so it doesn't feel weird to me.

I wonder if anyone on the forum has taken the effort to install an electric vacuum pump so they'd have power brakes even with the engine off. I tell you, if I have this car for several more years I'd consider it. Would be nice to convert the power steering pump to electric too, although that's less critical and probably a bigger drain on the battery.