Vacuum gauge behaviour for a VVTI engine

[Colinq]

Just fixed a vacuum gauge for my Estima (Toyota 2AZ-FE)

 

It has a tendency to go into a rapid flutter (fluctuation is about 5 in Hg) though it goes through the normal movements in response to the throttle

 

Is this normal?

 

There are times when the flutter is absent and the needle just moves smoothly. Can't notice any pattern

[Madarmour]

Dun mind me asking but why did you install a vacumn gauge in a NA car? Any benefits? I always thot it's useful in a TC engine. Thanks!

[Colinq]

it gives a pretty good indication of how heavy your right foot is

 

I use it as my 'fuel conscience'

[Madarmour]

OIC, usually my fuel consumption tells me how heavy footed I had been!

 

Thanks!

[Colinq]

ha ha ... the difference lies in 'hindsight of knowledge' in your case versus being able to do something about the fuel flow rate

[Madarmour]

So is there a 'green' band on the meter where it's most fuel efficient?

[Colinq]

basically keep the vacuum as negative as you can - when you lift off throttle, you will see the needle swing to about 22-25 in Hg

 

when you floor the throttle, the needle will drop to 0 in Hg

[Madarmour]

OIC..........thanks!

[Tantt70]

ColinQ, I was very keen to install the vacuum gauge for the simple reason it will look good in my car interior... but I have no idea how they read the meterand they bloody audio shop does not want to tell me (like as if its a top secret).

 

So did you do those that require the hosuing on the right of the driver? How much did you pay for it... may be I install first then learn from you how to read the vacuum meter?

[Colinq]

Hi tantt70

 

the simple way to use the vacuum gauge is to try to keep the vacuum high - as negative as possible. When you step on your accelerator, the vacuum will drop towards zero. Lift off and it will rise towards minus 15-20. When you are cruising on the expressway, you can lift off your throttle just enough to maintain a high vacuum. Roughly speaking, low vacuum (nearer zero) = more fuel going into your engine. Some gauges have colour markings - red zone near zero, green at the other extreme and yellow in between - the idea would be to keep it in the green as much as possible

 

My gauge is installed in a single pod which is stuck in the space next to my front quarter glass window. Can't give you a price for it alone as I put in a voltmeter and fuel-air ratio gauge at the same time and total cost was $200+

 

If you are driving a Civic, you can get one of those A pillar pods which looks quite neat. Alternatively, the single pods like the ones I am using can be stuck onto your windscreen too.