Just wondering, and if you can explain what it is, how it works and would you recommend getting one for a Truck if it doesn't have one?

 

Without being technical, it shows amount of air pushing thru your turbo, therefore amount of fuel burning. I'd definitely recommend one!

 

It wouldnt hurt to have have. But is it a must have?? NO not at all

 

It is a MUST have as it shows the health of yoru TURBO system. If the readings are too high or too low, something is wrong. I recently drove in Alberta in very low temps and with strong winds, so my turbo boost (PSI) were too high. I slowed down and dropped gears until the PSI were where they are supposed to be. Get one for sure. It'll also tell you if you have leaks in the air-to-air, after you learn what you usual PSI number is. The other two important gauges are: exhaust temperature (to protect the engine from blowing the lid off) and the fuel pressure gauge (shows when it's time to change fuel filters). I have the first one (turbo) but I have yet to installl the latter ones.

 

As mentioned, a great fuel economy helper. The higher the boost for a given driving style, the more fuel you are burning. Keeping the boost gauge away from the top with a moderated fuel pedal will use less fuel for what you are presently doing, than pegging the boost.

Old timers will remember the use of vacuum gauges on gasoline cars hyped for this same purpose back in the 70/80's.

I agree with the EGT and fuel pressure gauges too!

 

Nice to have, but by no means necessary. I've driven plenty of trucks that haven't been equipped with any of those gauges and got by just fine. Most fleet trucks don't (or at least didn't) have any of them. As far as fuel economy goes, sound will tell you just as much as the boost gauge will. But it can clue you into possible problems earlier than you might otherwise notice them. If I had an older truck that didn't have one, I probably wouldn't put one in. Spec'ing a new truck, no brainer.

 

you mackmen with your new volvo moters definitly need 1,In our companies new granite it tells us when to replace turbo ,haha like twice just under 100,000ks

 

I've been curious about something for awhile. You can't use a Scanguage II in a truck, can you? I use one in my car and I love it.

 

I'd highly reccommend one, it is a huge help.

 

I'd like to get the new Power-pup Bully Dog has for the big rigs. It's just like their truck versions so you can mount it on the dash, see all your perameters as your going down the road and adjust them too..... down side is they are about $3500