Nitto Tire on Adam Carolla's CarCast

Never knew what a Jack Stamp was..... Now I kinda know.

Nitto Tire on Adam Carolla's CarCast

Nitto's William Hong and Tyler Tanaka talk turkey about tires on this week's show. They answer Adam and Matt's questions about how to get the most out of your

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Nitto Tire Ambassador Program

Kiwi MPG - Product Review

      Hey guys, I know it's been a long time since I've made a post in the blog. I just finished and graduated from Linn State Technical College, and other stuff going on, but I will talk about that later.

ONWARD!

      I have been wanting to do this product review for quite some time *Since like... What a Year now.. but my bad, I had no money* and now I finally got my hands on the product, I'd like to thank the awesome people at Carsponsors.com for hooking me up with a discount for this product.... Does that sway you enough that car sponsors.com is real? No? well contact me if you have any questions about them. They are MUCH better than those unsponsored Jips.... Ouuuh! Shots fired!

If you are interested in promoting various companies for a chance to earn free car parts, apparel, etc... Or 10%-100% off performance parts and accessories, Follow this link and fill out the application, pay a one time startup fee and the deals will really starting rolling in when you find the products you want. If you have any questions, talk to me about it. I definitely wouldn't mention something if it wasn't true.

http://www.carsponsors.com/dap/a/?a=21343


COMPANY BACKGROUND

PLX Devices is a United States based company that began in 2003. Since then they have been innovative in the aftermarket automotive industry with products that monitor various components and monitors in your vehicle.... Be your vehicle having OBDII or oxygen sensors. They have cool little multi gauge setups along with a ton of sensor modules to give your ride the cool funky fresh data logging race car look yo! For more information about the company, check out http://www.plxdevices.com/ for a huge selection of their products. "Bringing the Future" is there motto, and so far they're doing just that.

PACKAGING

      You receive the small package in a bigger box. Like you should... After all, it was shipped to you and you want to make sure the package is in great shape with no signs of damage.

PLX Devices Kiwi MPG in its packaging

 Un boxing the product you get exactly what you need to use the MPG analyzer properly.

1 - Instruction Manual

1 - PLX Devices Kwi MPG

1 - Packaging of (2) Zip ties and (2) Sticky Adhesive pads

That's all you need to operate the device in your automobile. The package is basic, shows and tells you what the product inside is supposed to do. There is no use of basing the review good or bad based on simple packaging.

INSTALLATION/SETUP

      Now comes time to setup the Device. This task is pretty straightforward due to the device being operated by plugging into your OBDII Port.

**Word of advice. OBDII is found in vehicles produced after 1995. Its tricky because you have 1996 models produced in 1995 which can still have OBDI, someone source me on this one. It may, or may not work on early 1996 vehicles produced in mid 1995-early 1996. I tried testing on my 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse *produced in the summer of 95 so it went on sale as a 96* and It would not read, most OBDII readers wouldn't read my car unless it had an OBDI feature. So make sure this supports your vehicle!**

The hardest part of this installation is routing wiring and making sure to keep the wiring out of the way of your vehicle operation. ***Serious harm or damage may occur if the wiring interferes with driver/vehicle operation.***

Find a suitable mounting spot for your hardware, the most common spot would be between your steering wheel and Gauge cluster like so.



      Now that the Kiwi Device is properly installed, start your car *Don't forget to start your car before turning on the product, they recommend this... I don't wanna know why, but just do it before starting the car*, and then flip the switch on the side of the Kiwi MPG to power it on. CLICK!

OPERATION

This little analyzer has a ton of features out of the box for $40 (My discount, normally $60+shipping) that will help you observe the efficiency of your vehicle and depending on your driving habits... save you gas. and even.... EVEN READ YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS! I'm not kidding.

When you start the Kiwi MPG Meter it starts in the basic Instant MPG mode where it... shows you or gives you a ideal of the instant MPG you car is using. Now you have two basic buttons. The "Mode," and "Set" buttons. There are 4 modes to choose from with their own set of functions. You can see how much fuel you have used on your current trip, how much fuel you have remaining, your RPM, vehicle speed, throttle position, coolant temp, etc...

The basic Instant MPG mode.  I can say that it is pretty accurate in readings as I tested it on a new 2014 Scion FR-S. It gives a faster instant MPG reading while the FRS updates its instant MPG every 3-5 seconds. The number ranges from 0 way past 100 MPG which is probably all you really need unless your car is some magical being power by wind and motivation for a cleaner future.  It also matched up well when it was tested in a 2010 Chevy Cobalt LT Sedan.

Using the Vehicle speed mode gave good results, but I'd be careful with this one if your wheel speed sensors are going bad as this could display differently than your normal speedometer.

I gave the Distance until Empty mode a try after I set up the Size of my Fuel tank in the device. It was pretty cool finding out that my Scion FR-S gets close to the same amount of fuel distance as a fuel efficient 2012 Chevy Cobalt. Why do I keep comparing A Cobalt to a FR-S? Because though the FR-S has a .6 gallon larger fuel tank, they are pretty close in EPA Fuel Economy ratings if you drive appropriately. 

Now this little device isn't perfect as it will not work with some 1996 vehicles produced in 1995. Also the fact that you only navigate and operate through the menu and make selections with 2 buttons... But the user manual clears up the confusion and you should get used to it after a while of using it. The device is very light, which will throw some people off, but thats not the problem, if you do not install the device properly the OBDII cable will drag and pull on the device possibly interfering your driving operation. Beware of that, but does it take away from the overall use of this Kiwi MPG? Not really. They are just small things I have noticed.


SUMMARY

Spending about a month with this cool little gadget, I am impressed with all of the features it comes with out of the box. Some will argue that some aren't necessary, the price is a little high, that it's different. But I say spend some time with this product instead of just plunking down the money and only using it once or twice. It provides you with some very nice info about how your car is running and gives you a basic rundown of your Instant and Average MPG. I am overall satisfied with the Kiwi MPG Meter as it actually works. Is it for you? Depends on what you are looking for in a product, there are many alternatives as now the Android and Apple market now have applications and Bluetooth adapters where you can view various parameters and information on how your car is running.

I know I took a little longer than usual to get this written up, as I may have missed some information. I will be working on a Video on how to use this product. If you have any questions or know something that I missed in this typed review, feel free to politely let me know as I will try to cover it in the video or comments section.

Interested in this device? you can get it  here from PLX Devices for $59.99 plus shipping:
http://www.plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=SCANKIWIMPG

Thanks for viewing, I hope to have more interesting posts to come.

The Winning Craigslist Commuter Car Is…

What would your primary/secondary commuter car be? Have any luck on craigslist when it comes to cars?

The Winning Craigslist Commuter Car Is…

Last December I shared my thoughts in “The Great Commuter Car Conundrum” on looking for a cheap, somewhat sporty, commuter car in order to keep miles off my Mitsubishi Evo IX [MPG: 25.7]. After months of planning, I finally had cash in had and was ready to pounce as I kept my Craigslist vigil. The leading candidates were Honda’s VTEC-e […]

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Nitto Tire Ambassador Program

Then and Now: 20 Years of Tuning

Then and Now: 20 Years of Tuning

A lot can happen in 20 years. Let’s see, 20 years ago I was single, entering my freshman year of college, driving an Acura Integra GS-R and had started my first “corporate” job working at a hospital. Fast forward and I’m married, have our first child, driving an Audi and have been at my current corporate job 17 years…yikes. Disclaimer: […]

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Nitto Tire Ambassador Program

Tuner Galleria Chicago 2014 [with Gallery]

Tuner Galleria Chicago 2014 [with Gallery]

For the 5th consecutive year, Tuner Galleria made its way to Chicago to host some of the finest cars the Midwest has to offer. Although the event took place right in the middle of winter, the snowy conditions and frigid temperatures did not stop enthusiasts from bringing their rides out to put on display. Powerhouse teams like EST, Shockwave, and Chii […]

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Nitto Tire Ambassador Program

Jason Scherer Ecstatic for Nitto Tires Win and...

Just something to keep an eye on. I love watching all types of motorsportsand vehicle builds!

Jason Scherer Ecstatic for Nitto Tires Win and...

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Nitto Tire Ambassador Program

A Reminder Regarding Respect in the Automotive Scene

I'm just going to take the time to talk about a very important thing in the automotive enthusiast scene.

Respect

The Car scene is something that anyone with a interest for cars can join. But the enjoyment of the car scene can easily be ruined by those who are immature and lack the understanding of respect. Where does it come from or where does it start? I don't know, it could come from those that simply don't know how to properly start a conversation, give a neutral opinion, or rationally has a bad attitude toward something different.

I'm always hearing about people thrashing someone because of what you drive. Might as well consider it racism in the car industry. It shouldn't matter what you drive because your car is "Your" Choice, not anyone elses... that is unless, they paid for the car for you, then in that sense... Why did they buy it if they didn't like it?. This is pretty common no matter what region you're from. You can kinda say the Car manufacturers are to sorta blame for this, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, BMW, Audi, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Ferarri, Lamborghini, etc... They can all be responsible for this by promoting the advertisement and self image that their vehicles are dominant on a certain level. Which is good for business, but then gets taken the wrong way by the consumer. Healthy competition is fun because it drives people to be better at what they do, but being good at trash talking and negative opinions are just a waste of time.  Like the never ending battle of Camaro or Mustang, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Subaru Impreza STI, I love all of them but I won't bash one of them because both of them are missing something. Yeah I would say one is better than the other if I was doing a car review, one has a certain driving style I like, while the other may be suitable for someone else. That's just how it works. You won't sell a magazine company if all the cars are winners.

Coming from my background, at the age of 4, I was plastered in front of the TV watching many disciplines of racing, from WTCC, to DTM, to GT1, American Lemans, Drag racing, and even Nascar. But because I like those things doesn't mean I like only one type of vehicle. I own a 2nd generation Mitsubishi Eclipse and I love working on V6 and V8 motors. I love the unique sounds of the Bmw M3 E46, and the styling of the Maserati MC12. That's just a preference and others should realize that not everyone is going to like the same things that you do. We're all different, come from other walks of life, and have certain tastes. I'm not going to instantly hate you because you don't like NASCAR or a certain driver... Ok, just don't keep coming to me talking about your hate for Jeff Gordon because your driver hit him and he wants to rip his head off... Who doesn't? Someone's life is at stake when a high speed wreck is involved. If you keep coming to me about your bad jokes, and disrespect for anything that isn't a Jeep you can keep walking before my NASCAR boys here have a little talk with you behind the shop... *That was a joke, I don't condone violence* 

Like the automotive class I'm taking, My Engine instructor is a Semi Pro drag racer and drives a 1960's Dodge Polaris and yet he doesn't bad mouth imports. It's his preference. I always have non bias conversations with him about tuning, ideas, and pros and cons of running a stock dodge neon motor at 20Psi of boost... *See thats another joke in two ways... because.... never mind.* If, you're like the student in my automotive program and only likes Ford and badmouths everything else because he never stopped and worked with everything else... I say good luck in finding like minded people like you, because even if you do, they probably think they are better than you. Try holding a job at the local Ford dealer when you only service Ford Focus' and Fusions.

The most important thing we as enthusiasts should remember, "If they don't like it, they can keep on looking and do their own thing." Time and time I always see and hear people bashing others because they want to do things different. When they do, they instantly get labeled as an "idiot," or "Ricer." Ricer is an evolving word and used to mean a person that would waste money on making their car look horrible. Now its used to mean that immature person in the car scene stirring up a scene. It's everywhere, even in car/brand specific forums. In the DSM (Diamond Star Motors) community, there is a ton of bashing itself just because of someone owning a base model non-turbo eclipse. Really guys? If someone couldn't find, afford, or doesn't want to own a turbo car, that is their choice. If they want to put money into their car, let them. If they want to make their car stand out in a good way by adding a wing, let them. Build their car for street-ability, drag racing, or track racing? OK. Don't just bash them and tell them junk it and get a turbo model... You know why? Because when they move on to another car and someone asks about their last car, they would probably say, "My last car? It sucks, the community sucks as well... Bunch of ricers."

Another thing is those who get into arguments and troll one another and threats go out about bothering people's cars, really? you don't mess with anyone's blood, sweat, and tears over a conversation or anything because you don't agree? What will you accomplish by assaulting someone, or even their investment because you all can't agree and or get along on something? That doesn't mean you have to be friends. That doesn't mean you have to get your feelings hurt, you can always leave. And if this is a issue inside of a car club, tell the leader or other members and work together on solving the problem. You can always settle your feuds with some healthy racing on the racetrack. If you can't back it up, don't say it because then you will be labeled and banished. You never know how seriously someone would take your comment. You will also never know when you will need someone to lend you a hand someday and because of your attitude, everyone leaves you hanging... That's on you.

The car scene should be something enjoyed by all no matter what you drive. Keep this community something sacred, no matter what part of the Earth you come from, Japanese, American, European, FWD, RWD, AWD. I may have sounded like I repeated myself many times in this post, but that's because as a car lover I just have to keep reminding people, "Learn to respect one another." Not by their car, but because of their attitude and behavior in the community. Don't be "that guy" showing up to a casual low key car meet doing burnouts, talking trash, trying to race and end up getting the cops called and ruining the car meet opportunities for everyone. Welcome the newcomer into the community with open doors and allow them to be comfortable, don't cast judgement until they sport their true colors.