Ultra-Gauge Set-Up & Calibration

[RichieRocket]

Continuing the discussion over here from the DIY forum...

Anybody find anything interesting?
The catalytic converter temp got up to 1300F today...


I've been messing around with the UG set-up.

- Set Engine size: 1.36 L
- Confirmed that the Sonic uses MAF Mass Air Flow
- I was getting the Voltage MAX alarm at 14.9 Volts so I bumped that alarm up to 15V
- I reset the page refresh rate to every 0.5 sec (default is 1.0 sec) Hopefully that will smooth out the turbo boost reading a little.

I wanted to "Calibrate Distance" as described on page 38. So I decided to head over to my local interstate and do a 5 mile drive to calibrate to the mile markers. Well there weren't any mile markers! LOL
About ten years ago, there was a big construction project that widened the interstate to three lanes and never re-installed the mile markers!

As BNRacing said, the Torque and HP values are calculated from engine parameters. They not real numbers but maybe could be used for comaprisons.
The max torque has to be set per page 39

 

[oldertech]

How'd you get 1.36L?
What power settings are you using to get it to shut off properly?

 

[wingman]

I set mine for 1.4, which I will be changing asap. Gonna change my refresh rate as well.

The sonics 1364cc rounds up to 1400cc, which is a 1.4. My ultra shuts off automatically after a few when car is turned off. I dont know exactly how long, or if that is even what you are referring to as "properly" shutting down.

 

[gsxr1000]

I set mine for 1.4, which I will be changing asap. Gonna change my refresh rate as well.

The sonics 1364cc rounds up to 1400cc, which is a 1.4. My ultra shuts off automatically after a few when car is turned off. I dont know exactly how long, or if that is even what you are referring to as "properly" shutting down.

it turns off when the dom light does and powers up when the doors open

 

[wingman]

it turns off when the dom light does and powers up when the doors open

Mine doesnt power off when dome light dims out

 

[oldertech]

I set mine for 1.4, which I will be changing asap. Gonna change my refresh rate as well.

The sonics 1364cc rounds up to 1400cc, which is a 1.4. My ultra shuts off automatically after a few when car is turned off. I dont know exactly how long, or if that is even what you are referring to as "properly" shutting down.

In my mind it should shut off within seconds of the car ignition going off under normal use. I have read on some other threads (Focus I think) that there have been issues with UG drawing too much power when the car is off. It seems Sonic's computer does a lot of activity on the computer buss that keeps it going. So I played with the "Power off detect mode." First I tried 2 and that didn't do it. Then I tried 3. That one is guaranteed to work, but requires the engine to be started to make any setting changes. Finally, I have it on 1, and that winks out a few seconds after the ignition. So I'm trying that.

The cool thing about adding this is that we are all in the same boat right now, and it's great to share this info on a new model car. I appreciate the cc info. Automotive advertising have historically rounded up engine sizes

 

[RichieRocket]

In my mind it should shut off within seconds of the car ignition going off under normal use. I have read on some other threads (Focus I think) that there have been issues with UG drawing too much power when the car is off. It seems Sonic's computer does a lot of activity on the computer buss that keeps it going. So I played with the "Power off detect mode." First I tried 2 and that didn't do it. Then I tried 3. That one is guaranteed to work, but requires the engine to be started to make any setting changes. Finally, I have it on 1, and that winks out a few seconds after the ignition. So I'm trying that.

The cool thing about adding this is that we are all in the same boat right now, and it's great to share this info on a new model car. I appreciate the cc info. Automotive advertising have historically rounded up engine sizes

Honestly I never bothered to hang around long enough to watch it shut down...it's cold out there (wife gets our one garage).

I think the manual said it uses 1/4 watt when sleeping, 1 watt active...doesn't sound like much ?

 

[Sonic Boomer]

I'm curious, does the UG calculate MPG and can it be calibrated for accuracy?
It would be nice to have a display that gave a valid calculation.

 

[omniman]

ScanGauge - Trip Computer + Digitial Gauges + ScanTools i have one of these it works great for fuel calculations also reads hp temp and about 28 other readings.also is a code reader and clears them.plugs in to dlc i have the scan gauge II.

 

[Sonic Boomer]

About ten years ago, there was a big construction project that widened the interstate to three lanes and never re-installed the mile markers!

If you go into Atlanta, you will see the same thing, except it is the friggin street signs that never got replaced. I pity anyone who ends up downtown Atlanta without a GPS. A road map isn't good for much if you can't tell what street you are on. :sadbanana:

 

[oldertech]

I'm curious, does the UG calculate MPG and can it be calibrated for accuracy?
It would be nice to have a display that gave a valid calculation.

There are procedures for calibration. I haven't tried it yet. So far mine seems to pretty much mirror what the DIC reads....optimistic. I haven't fooled with the procedure in the manual yet.

Has anyone gotten the scolding email from OnStar that they can't read the computer for monthly maintenance reports if you have a "third party device" plugged in? I wrote to UG and they said that GM has known about the UG for years but ignores it and probably considers it competition to their "service." I'm on the fence if I will continue OnStar, but it would be nice to have all of OnStar work if I'm paying for it. I don't want to unplug UG every night!

 

[laborsmith]

No, I have not received any such message, but since I am not impressed with OnStar and rarely let an opportunity go by to let them know, that could be the reason.

It did stop my radio once to tell me to press the button to hear the benefits but I just kept driving and the radio came back on.


Laborsmith

 

[SteveSonic]

I'll fire this thread up again ...

The UG has pages and pages of useful engine and trip tracking tools but these six (two, really) are the ones I'm using to fine tune my driving habits for max econ.

I have a six gauge layout on page 1. The first row (large) and most important gauges are instantaneous fuel consumption in gals per hour and % engine load. Row two is boost, then coolant temp. Third row; battery voltage and intake temp. In truth, I rarely look at boost.

If the instantaneous consumption is <1 then the miles per gal is greater than the vehicle speed. The exact MPG is not as important and I haven't found a measured mile to calibrate the UG, anyway. I try to keep the load under 50% as much as possible to attain the consumption.