Review of the X-Gauge

Mod Description

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a pre-production X-Gauge, courtesy of Welte Engineering.

Mod Details

PremiumNo Difficulty Mod ID464 CreditEvilution Cost£ï¿½150 For Linkhttps://dev.evilution.co.uk/mod/review-of-the-x-gauge.htm Copy to Clipboard

Very Important Information

There are NO MORE X-Gauge’s left, they have all been sold.

The X-GaugeIs it all it’s cracked up to be?
How easy is the fitting?
Are there any problems or disadvantages?
Any tips?

All will be answered.

The first thing worth mentioning about the X-Gauge is the wow factor, as soon as you turn your car on you are greeted by a nice little intro. X-Gauge logo. Welte Engineering logo and then a picture of a smart city coupe. This start up can be shortened or turned off but why would you want to? it looks great.

The second thing is the information available to the X-Gauge is very impressive. Sure there are a few things that you may never use or understand but it’s all configurable to how you like it. The information may be displayed on a small screen but because the display is of such a high resolution and quality, viewing isn’t a problem.

How Accurate Is The Info?

As far as I can tell, it’s spot on. Overshadowing the mechanical gauges by a mile.

RPM – spot on
Coolant temperature – spot on
Intake pressure – spot on (taking into account ambient pressure too)
Throttle position sensor – spot on

This brings me to the vehicle speed display. We all know that the standard speedo reads fast (usually by 3mph) and to have an accurate reading you need to look to sat nav. I have news for you, the X-Gauge displayed the same speed as my Tomtom Go all the way up to the national speed limit. (I will test it higher when the road conditions are safe to do so).

Not only is it there for measuring performance, it can be used very successfully to get better Miles Per Gallon. I had ‘Average MPG’, ‘Throttle position’, ‘Engine load’ and ‘Boost’ displayed and found it was easy to balance these to get really good MPG. I also found it stopped me speeding in an attempt to get a decent petrol payback.

Another thing I noticed was that all the electric parts on the smart drained possible power from the engine. The heater used an extra 1% for every click on the fan speed selector, 1% or 2% for the head lights, 1% for the stereo etc. I don’t have air conditioning
but I can guess that’s going to suck power more than a big power sucky thing. Update from Matt – aircon adds 8% to 13% to the Engine load.

Whilst at a local Kent smart meet another smart owner Bubski commented that it would be possible to use the ‘air flow rate’ to measure the effective flow rate of different air filters. If only I could be bothered.

There seems to be so many possibilities, these are just a few I have discovered in the last week. I’m sure some of you dedicated smart weirdos can think of many more.

Fitting – Easy Or Not?

Easy, plus you don’t really need a whole bunch of tools.

From start to finish took just over 30 minutes, no swearing, no injuries, no head scratching. Following the instructions packaged with the X-Gauge and have a peek at my fitting pics.

The only discrepancy I found was feeding the wires through the pod, the hole in the base of the pod is too small and really needs to be drilled out a bit to allow the OBD pins to pass through.

The only part I found hard was clipping the module in place, scary amount of force needed to seat it properly.

Disadvantages To Using The X-Gauge.

The main problem is keeping your eyes on the road, with the gauge displaying its mesmerising yellow aura, the road comes second.

Look into the gauge, the gauge, not around the gauge, look into the gauge.

And you’re under.

So many parameters to choose from – I recommend deciding what you want displayed and where on the screen BEFORE you go for that first drive. Fumbling with menus whilst driving or at traffic lights isn’t ideal.

Problems With My Test X-Gauge

These problems will be reported to Welte-Engineering so they can be looked at before they are made for public sale.

The original clock has rubber membrane switches whereas the X-Gauge has micro switches. The micro switches are much more reliable and have a better tactile feel but I found the buttons rattle against them. Personally I hate rattles in my car so I put a bit of sticky
tape over the back of the pod which stopped them. I think a bit of rubber or foam between the button and the switch will sort this problem out.

One problem that I had is noted in the manual. There are a few parameters that are too long to fit next to each other so you may get part of the number flashing. Not a major problem, you just have to rearrange a few things.

Updates

Apr-20-2006 – Software version 1.5

The software version delivered with the first production units, adds the following new features from my beta unit:

– Tracking of maximum vehicle speed.
– Correction factor for vehicle speed (error compensation, wheel size adjustment).
– Turbo cool down timer.
– Constant ambient pressure value can be deducted from absolute intake pressure.
– Display can be switched between normal and inverse type.
– Deceleration measurement is no longer available.

I am proud to say that 4 of the new parameters were suggested by me.

July-16-2006 – Software version 1.6

I am happy to announce this update as it has been a setting that I have wanted to play with since first getting the X-Gauge.

– Horizontal and Vertical screen flip added.
– Start-up ‘FOR’ picture removed to free up memory.

I have been considering an H.U.D. (head up display) for the smart, I suggested it to Roland and thankfully it was easily added. Extra info and pictures will be added soon.

February-3-2007 – Software version 1.7

– Displays confirmed and pending error codes from the ECU.

Mar-03-2007 – Software version 1.8

The X-Gauge now works on 2004 onwards Fortwo CDI.

Feb-18-2010 – Software version 1.82

www.Evilution.co.uk passed on a useful piece of kit which allowed an exciting new update.

The newest firmware version is now capable of also displaying the following manufacturer specific parameters on a smart fortwo or Roadster with the petrol engine.

– Pulse rate per second of ABS sensor at left front wheel.
– Pulse rate per second of ABS sensor at right front wheel.
– Pulse rate per second of ABS sensor at left rear wheel.
– Pulse rate per second of ABS sensor at right rear wheel.
– Selected Gear Position [R, N, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] (manual and auto mode).
– Gearbox Temperature [ºC, ºF] (only the 600cc engine has this sensor.

Is It Worth Getting Then?

Hell yes, this is the most important product for the 450 and Roadster ever released.

There are 3 categories of people:
People who like how the X-Gauge looks;
People who like the information available to them;
People who don’t want one because they are desperately dull.

I think, as you have read this far, that you fall into the first or second category. I’m sure some will be both 1 and 2.

The most important things about the X-Gauge are that it’s cheap for what it is and very easy to fit.

I count myself as being very lucky to be the first X-Gauge owner in the UK but I am sure by the end of the year it will be the norm to own one if you are into modifying. Even if you aren’t modifying it’s worth getting as it gives you the opportunity to diagnose problems with your car simply by viewing the readouts on the display.

Start saving up your paper round and pocket money, sell your Mum’s best china and go on the game. If your birthday is soon ask for an X-Gauge. Don’t ask for one for Christmas because that’s too far away

When Is X-Gauge Day?

It has been and gone and now there are no more X-Gauge units left. If you want one you’d better get asking on the forums.