Princess Auto - Maxitrip - 98.88$ (Similar to ScanGauge II)

[XlaSerX007]

Princess auto is having the Maxitrip in special again.
Pretty good price if you can't pay for the ScanGauge II.

SKU : 8237844
http://www.princessauto.com/tools/automotive-tools/diagnostic/8237844-maxitrip-auto-computer

or
direct manufacture link http://www.auteltech.com/4in1.htm

http://www.princessauto.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/8237844.jpg

[wildchild22]

just got one works perfect . Thanks for the deal.

[careener]

Does anyone know if this will work on a Mazda 3..they use the CAN bus diagnostic protocol

[Chrno]

Thanks OP.. will pick one up!

[davebert]

For those who wants to look before you buy, here is the link to the user manual.

http://www.alpha-bid.com/media/Product-Pics/MXITRP/MaxiTripManual.pdf

[eelfliw]

OK, I gave in and bought one.

Yes, it does give instantaneous mileage, sort of. There is about a 1 second delay. And it can be MPG or in LHK (litres per hundred kilometers). When you're stopped at the lights, it gives fuel consumption as litres per hour. And when you drive off, after about a second or two, the readout switches to litres per hundred kilometers.

This is very useful info when you're driving @ steady speeds. But not too useful in the city as speeds change so much. I was able to confirm that, at 90km/h, my car consumes 7.8LHK, and, at 100km/h, my car consumes 8.9LHK. That is a real life lesson of why it's better to drive at 90 instead of 100 for better fuel efficiency as the % reduction in speed results in greater % reduction in fuel consumption. That said, no one drives at 90km/h on the highways. Not even 18-wheelers.

The Maxitrip also gives you lots of other good info as well. Especially the VBB (vehicle black box) that records at either 2 or 3 second intervals your vehicle speed.

Then, problem struck. After about 20 minutes of usage, the unit turned itself off. Pressing the left arrow powers the unit back on. But all of the trip info was gone (leaves today, tank & total info).

I thought it was a lose plug. So I pulled over and pushed the OBD2 plug tighter. When I started the car and drove away, I noticed that the transmission won't shift. 4000RPM at 60km/h isn't too good for mileage. Then, the check engine light came on too. So I put the transmission into semi-auto mode and shifted with the buttons. That allowed it to go into higher gears. After another KM or so, the transmission was able to automatically downshift without me hitting the shift button. Eventually, the transmission was back to normal. But the check engine light was still on.,

I pulled over again, trying to read the trouble code. But Maxitrip showed no error code. After a few more starts & stops, it eventually popped a P0700 code (faulty transmission). I clear the code with Maxitrip and kept on driving. It was fine for another 30 min or so until the transmission problem came back. It seems that if the unit powers itself off, then it screws up my transmission software.

Eventually, I made it back to Princess Auto and returned the unit. The transmission has been fine since.

I think there may be a lose connection somewhere that causes the unit to shut off and screw up my transmission software. Either that or the unit is buggy.

That ends my long weekend experiment with Maxitrip. I had contemplated getting a ScanGauge instead. But the lack of local dealers with good refund policy carrying ScanGauge kept me from buying ScanGauge. What if it's the same as MaxiTrip? At least, I can return the MaxiTrip at Princess.

Doesn't anyone make a good fuel consumption meter? I love the one in the old BMW 325i (it's a dial). Readings aren't precise. But it's instantaneous.

[eelfliw]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the OP's picture is missing a USB cable. You can plug the unit into your computer via USB.

[growler]

OK, I gave in and bought one.

Yes, it does give instantaneous mileage, sort of. There is about a 1 second delay. And it can be MPG or in LHK (litres per hundred kilometers). When you're stopped at the lights, it gives fuel consumption as litres per hour. And when you drive off, after about a second or two, the readout switches to litres per hundred kilometers.

This is very useful info when you're driving @ steady speeds. But not too useful in the city as speeds change so much. I was able to confirm that, at 90km/h, my car consumes 7.8LHK, and, at 100km/h, my car consumes 8.9LHK. That is a real life lesson of why it's better to drive at 90 instead of 100 for better fuel efficiency as the % reduction in speed results in greater % reduction in fuel consumption. That said, no one drives at 90km/h on the highways. Not even 18-wheelers.

The Maxitrip also gives you lots of other good info as well. Especially the VBB (vehicle black box) that records at either 2 or 3 second intervals your vehicle speed.

Then, problem struck. After about 20 minutes of usage, the unit turned itself off. Pressing the left arrow powers the unit back on. But all of the trip info was gone (leaves today, tank & total info).

I thought it was a lose plug. So I pulled over and pushed the OBD2 plug tighter. When I started the car and drove away, I noticed that the transmission won't shift. 4000RPM at 60km/h isn't too good for mileage. Then, the check engine light came on too. So I put the transmission into semi-auto mode and shifted with the buttons. That allowed it to go into higher gears. After another KM or so, the transmission was able to automatically downshift without me hitting the shift button. Eventually, the transmission was back to normal. But the check engine light was still on.,

I pulled over again, trying to read the trouble code. But Maxitrip showed no error code. After a few more starts & stops, it eventually popped a P0700 code (faulty transmission). I clear the code with Maxitrip and kept on driving. It was fine for another 30 min or so until the transmission problem came back. It seems that if the unit powers itself off, then it screws up my transmission software.

Eventually, I made it back to Princess Auto and returned the unit. The transmission has been fine since.

I think there may be a lose connection somewhere that causes the unit to shut off and screw up my transmission software. Either that or the unit is buggy.

That ends my long weekend experiment with Maxitrip. I had contemplated getting a ScanGauge instead. But the lack of local dealers with good refund policy carrying ScanGauge kept me from buying ScanGauge. What if it's the same as MaxiTrip? At least, I can return the MaxiTrip at Princess.

Doesn't anyone make a good fuel consumption meter? I love the one in the old BMW 325i (it's a dial). Readings aren't precise. But it's instantaneous.

After reading your experience with the unit, I've decided there is no way I'm going to purchase the unit and use it on my vehicles. Thanks for posting your experience.

[Chrno]

Wow, that doesnt sound good... Was it only the transmission that it screwed with? If so I might still give it a whirl since my car's a manual

[Goomph]

I took my F-150 to the dealer because 4X4 light was blinking three times periodically .... Turns out it was the maxitrip :( I am going to return it tonight but I have no receipt no box anymore. It cost me 100 bucks for the diagnosis ! This sucks ! I also felt that the transmission was sort of slipping and not locking with the unit connected. Now that it is disconected it drives much better . Do NOT buy this unit ... I wrote to the manufacturer but heard nothing so far ....

[MattyDK23]

Looks like the Maxitrip is on sale again at Princess Auto, this time for $78.88, starting November 17th.

Luckily, I did a search and saw your guy's experiences. No way, no how am I putting this in my vehicle. Thanks eelfliw, Goomph... probably saved me a big headache.