Lack of Gauges – Shock and Disappointment
Mach 1 Member
Joined: February 24, 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Metro Charlotte, NC
so you bought a base mustang without all the bells and whistles and are upset it is missing a bell???????
you didn't verify this with the dealer ahead of time?
the roush bent pod is fine and looks very OEM. maybe you should just do that and move on and enjoy your car.
you didn't verify this with the dealer ahead of time?
the roush bent pod is fine and looks very OEM. maybe you should just do that and move on and enjoy your car.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: April 14, 2013
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 111
From: CT
Another option - get a Scan Gauge and find a nice mounting place. My friend with the Boss 302 LS has this and you can set alarms for critical parameters, and you can monitor 2 parameters live on the screen at any given time.
I plan on putting one of these in right away (can use it on my Jeep when I tow to the track too to watch tranny temp, oil temp, etc)
Or just put in a set of gauges... I looked at the track apps, but I wasn't overly impressed with the info available. Opted to monitor the car through other means
I plan on putting one of these in right away (can use it on my Jeep when I tow to the track too to watch tranny temp, oil temp, etc)
Or just put in a set of gauges... I looked at the track apps, but I wasn't overly impressed with the info available. Opted to monitor the car through other means
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: May 6, 2012
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I've just started to look into this and haven't formed a strong opinion yet.
seems a lot of folks here use this particular one
http://www.aeroforcetech.com/products_interceptor.html
again, not ideal.
but if the size is right (2 1/16") perhaps it can mount it in between the speedo and tach low and tight to the that flat surface there.
There doesn't appear to be but a few lights below the factory fuel/'temp' gauges except turn signals, parking brake, and bat (that I've quickly noticed on start up) so with the field of view it may not interfere.
it would allow cyl head temp and oil pressure (with new sender) or other combinations. and I could monitor other inputs as well if I felt the need.
I'll look at something when i get home and if i have a spare gauge to show what I'm thinking later.
A friend has a ScanGauge that i'm going to borrow just to see if I like that type of functionality
something like this
this seems interesting and appears to have a very shallow body depth which could be useful
again, not ideal as I don't like adding something at this point w/ a brand new car
And to the others, yes, i bought a base mustang. no, I didn't notice the lack of gauges before. No, I haven't brought it up to the dealers attention because it wasn't due to any false advertising or misrepresentation on their part.
yes, having a 'high performance track car' with NO real gauges is ridiculous.
just because there are a bunch of idiots out there that can't understand gauges and many of the mfgs have defaulted to dummy-only gauges doesn't make it right for everyone or every car.
I've been a GM ONLY guy for the past 20 years. I drove my f-body for the past 12 and have had corvettes and trucks along the way too. For the most part they have ahd fully functional oil pressure, water temp, and volt readouts.
I currently still have a camaro and firebird.
seems a lot of folks here use this particular one
http://www.aeroforcetech.com/products_interceptor.html
again, not ideal.
but if the size is right (2 1/16") perhaps it can mount it in between the speedo and tach low and tight to the that flat surface there.
There doesn't appear to be but a few lights below the factory fuel/'temp' gauges except turn signals, parking brake, and bat (that I've quickly noticed on start up) so with the field of view it may not interfere.
it would allow cyl head temp and oil pressure (with new sender) or other combinations. and I could monitor other inputs as well if I felt the need.
I'll look at something when i get home and if i have a spare gauge to show what I'm thinking later.
A friend has a ScanGauge that i'm going to borrow just to see if I like that type of functionality
something like this
this seems interesting and appears to have a very shallow body depth which could be useful
again, not ideal as I don't like adding something at this point w/ a brand new car
And to the others, yes, i bought a base mustang. no, I didn't notice the lack of gauges before. No, I haven't brought it up to the dealers attention because it wasn't due to any false advertising or misrepresentation on their part.
yes, having a 'high performance track car' with NO real gauges is ridiculous.
just because there are a bunch of idiots out there that can't understand gauges and many of the mfgs have defaulted to dummy-only gauges doesn't make it right for everyone or every car.
I've been a GM ONLY guy for the past 20 years. I drove my f-body for the past 12 and have had corvettes and trucks along the way too. For the most part they have ahd fully functional oil pressure, water temp, and volt readouts.
I currently still have a camaro and firebird.
Last edited by y5e06; Apr 24, 2013 at 10:31 AM.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: September 10, 2009
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Boston
I am trying to understand the need for fully functional gauges for oil temp, voltage? the car as is will tell you if any of the conditions they are measuring moves into an abnormal state. Is it needed for anything more than letting the driver know there is a problem?
Mach 1 Member
Joined: February 24, 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Metro Charlotte, NC
I think we're beating a dead horse here. OP is not happy that his car doesn't tell him as much as it should even though he thought it would because he read it on the internet.
OP also doesn't want to change anything on his car because it won't look factory (so future modding is out of the question, I guess).
OP is/was a GM guy.
OP hasn't commented on the rest of the car, like performance, ride, how awesome the recaros are, etc.
We're probably not setting a good example to a new member, but you can argue coming in and moaning about the gauges may not be the best impression to make neither.
it's 65 degrees and sunny today. I'm going to go out and enjoy my Mustang now...
OP also doesn't want to change anything on his car because it won't look factory (so future modding is out of the question, I guess).
OP is/was a GM guy.
OP hasn't commented on the rest of the car, like performance, ride, how awesome the recaros are, etc.
We're probably not setting a good example to a new member, but you can argue coming in and moaning about the gauges may not be the best impression to make neither.
it's 65 degrees and sunny today. I'm going to go out and enjoy my Mustang now...
Bullitt Member
Joined: February 27, 2012
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
I picked up my 2014 Track Pack & Recarro GT this past Saturday after much anticipation. I’ve been contemplating one of these cars since 2012 and almost pulled the trigger on a Boss last year.
This model year began with the great discounts available from Ford I decided to go ahead and order what I wanted. I was looking in February when the 2014’s just came out. I even read a number of the documents available online including this one, below, which highlights the changes for 2014. Much to my surprise the Track Apps was indicated as now standard on the base GT. This really spurred me to order a ’14 base instead of pick up an on-the-lot 2013 premium, which would likely not have the track pack or recarros. At the time even much of more subtle details on the official web pages weren’t updated. I specifically remember trying to determine of the Track Apps was indeed on the base GT or Premium only and didn’t find an answer other than this pdf.
I made my decision to order and finally placed the order in early March. When I picked my car up I thought it was great, with all the excitement it looked perfect. It wasn’t until yesterday after reading the manual and trying to figure out what 5-way selector button it was indicating for the Apps that I realized I didn’t have Track Apps! ARRGGGG! I’m sure I’m not the first, a big mistake on my part (see below links).
However, not only that I realized my car doesn’t have ANY real critical gauges. What a huge, and I mean HUGE, disappointment. I don’t really care as much about the Apps performance stuff but lacking any real gauges is a major issue. A track pack car with no gauges? Are you kidding me?
-Tach and speedo? Sure
- oil temp? No.
-oil pressure? No.
-real water temp? No, just a dummy gauge.
-volt meter? No.
Anyway, I suppose this was just a rant. I’m quite disappointed as you may be able to tell. Sure I could add an aftermarket AC Vent gauge pod (Rousch) or some ricer type A-pillar pod, but these won’t look right for me. The car is brand new and I don’t want to just tack those on and have something nowhere near my tastes for a brand new car.
Anyone else experience this? I was planning on keeping this car for 10 years, driving the hell out of it, and tweaking the suspension along the way but not doing something like this. This lack of basic gauges is absurd in my book.
Well, rehashing all of this for this post I think I ended finding part of my problem. It seems I didn’t pay the attention I should have. I used these documents https://themustangsource.com/f726/20...9/#post6480334
Instead of these
https://themustangsource.com/f726/20...9/#post6480334
Of course I just NOW saw what I highlighted at the bottom of page 1….
That explains the Track Apps, but the lack of real, basic gauges is causing a bit of a sting. Not something I noticed on a test drive.
This model year began with the great discounts available from Ford I decided to go ahead and order what I wanted. I was looking in February when the 2014’s just came out. I even read a number of the documents available online including this one, below, which highlights the changes for 2014. Much to my surprise the Track Apps was indicated as now standard on the base GT. This really spurred me to order a ’14 base instead of pick up an on-the-lot 2013 premium, which would likely not have the track pack or recarros. At the time even much of more subtle details on the official web pages weren’t updated. I specifically remember trying to determine of the Track Apps was indeed on the base GT or Premium only and didn’t find an answer other than this pdf.
I made my decision to order and finally placed the order in early March. When I picked my car up I thought it was great, with all the excitement it looked perfect. It wasn’t until yesterday after reading the manual and trying to figure out what 5-way selector button it was indicating for the Apps that I realized I didn’t have Track Apps! ARRGGGG! I’m sure I’m not the first, a big mistake on my part (see below links).
However, not only that I realized my car doesn’t have ANY real critical gauges. What a huge, and I mean HUGE, disappointment. I don’t really care as much about the Apps performance stuff but lacking any real gauges is a major issue. A track pack car with no gauges? Are you kidding me?
-Tach and speedo? Sure
- oil temp? No.
-oil pressure? No.
-real water temp? No, just a dummy gauge.
-volt meter? No.
Anyway, I suppose this was just a rant. I’m quite disappointed as you may be able to tell. Sure I could add an aftermarket AC Vent gauge pod (Rousch) or some ricer type A-pillar pod, but these won’t look right for me. The car is brand new and I don’t want to just tack those on and have something nowhere near my tastes for a brand new car.
Anyone else experience this? I was planning on keeping this car for 10 years, driving the hell out of it, and tweaking the suspension along the way but not doing something like this. This lack of basic gauges is absurd in my book.
Well, rehashing all of this for this post I think I ended finding part of my problem. It seems I didn’t pay the attention I should have. I used these documents https://themustangsource.com/f726/20...9/#post6480334
Instead of these
https://themustangsource.com/f726/20...9/#post6480334
Of course I just NOW saw what I highlighted at the bottom of page 1….
That explains the Track Apps, but the lack of real, basic gauges is causing a bit of a sting. Not something I noticed on a test drive.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: April 14, 2013
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 111
From: CT
My previous car was a 2002 Audi S4 - it was twin turbo and I lived by the oil temp gauge at the track. I would exceed 275 oil temps before I put in my external oil cooler, and if you know a bit about oil, that temp level is bad... Coolant temp would be normal though with high oil temps, so without a gauge I'd never know. I'd regularly come down pit lane for a couple minutes to cool things down a bit, which I would never know to do without the right monitoring equipment. I ended up blowing the turbo in the car, but not due to high oil temp (due to me pushing boost too far... oops)
I completely understand the need for a gauge that reads multiple parameters or a number of gauges to get this job done - it's not for everyone (not for most) but some of us need them!
Anyone coming from the Corvette world knows the importance of monitoring oil pressure with many of the LS series engines....
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: April 14, 2013
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 111
From: CT
You'll never see high temps or low oil pressure in auto-x... courses are too short and not fast enough to pull very high g-loads (well over 1.0)... not to say it's not a blast though!
Mach 1 Member
Joined: December 27, 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 1
I've had the Aeroforce Interceptor gauge in 2 of my cars, including the Mustang. Love it! 
I also have the ScanGauge, it was in my Miata, but "needs change" and now it's in my Dodge Pickup. It can tell you a lot, but does NOT show the Trans. Temp. for the Dodge, which is one thing I really wanted. The ScanGauge is more of a "generic" readout. It will show some values for many vehicles, and some extra values for other vehicles. Some other values can be programmed in to it, there are several forums that give you the codes for these.
"Real" gauges in a pillar pod or dash pod are another alternative.
Good Luck with it!
I also have the ScanGauge, it was in my Miata, but "needs change" and now it's in my Dodge Pickup. It can tell you a lot, but does NOT show the Trans. Temp. for the Dodge, which is one thing I really wanted. The ScanGauge is more of a "generic" readout. It will show some values for many vehicles, and some extra values for other vehicles. Some other values can be programmed in to it, there are several forums that give you the codes for these.
"Real" gauges in a pillar pod or dash pod are another alternative.
Good Luck with it!
Mach 1 Member
Joined: February 24, 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Metro Charlotte, NC
Some of us want the additional gauges because we drive the cars hard in track environments (myself included) and monitoring cyl head temp, oil pressure, oil temp are critical parameters when pushing the car for 20+ minutes on open road courses.
My previous car was a 2002 Audi S4 - it was twin turbo and I lived by the oil temp gauge at the track. I would exceed 275 oil temps before I put in my external oil cooler, and if you know a bit about oil, that temp level is bad... Coolant temp would be normal though with high oil temps, so without a gauge I'd never know. I'd regularly come down pit lane for a couple minutes to cool things down a bit, which I would never know to do without the right monitoring equipment. I ended up blowing the turbo in the car, but not due to high oil temp (due to me pushing boost too far... oops)
I completely understand the need for a gauge that reads multiple parameters or a number of gauges to get this job done - it's not for everyone (not for most) but some of us need them!
Anyone coming from the Corvette world knows the importance of monitoring oil pressure with many of the LS series engines....
My previous car was a 2002 Audi S4 - it was twin turbo and I lived by the oil temp gauge at the track. I would exceed 275 oil temps before I put in my external oil cooler, and if you know a bit about oil, that temp level is bad... Coolant temp would be normal though with high oil temps, so without a gauge I'd never know. I'd regularly come down pit lane for a couple minutes to cool things down a bit, which I would never know to do without the right monitoring equipment. I ended up blowing the turbo in the car, but not due to high oil temp (due to me pushing boost too far... oops)
I completely understand the need for a gauge that reads multiple parameters or a number of gauges to get this job done - it's not for everyone (not for most) but some of us need them!
Anyone coming from the Corvette world knows the importance of monitoring oil pressure with many of the LS series engines....
just sayin'...
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: May 6, 2012
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I don't have to validate to you why I specifically need the gauges and how it is a shortcoming.... but it is a TRACK PACK car.
this is my other track car if you feel everyone needs to justify their complaints with their past experiences and reasons for quality instrumentation.
just sayin'....
oh and i got a chuckle out of this dig.
so therefore I can't point out a shortcoming because the mustang is for TEH WIN no matter what. I guess because I haven't been drinking the kool-aide my whole life I should thank the stars I was finally allowed to buy a Ford and quit b!tchin'.
the car is f'ing awesome (oh, and I really mean that). there.
... except for the gauges of course.
just sayin'....
oh and i got a chuckle out of this dig.
so therefore I can't point out a shortcoming because the mustang is for TEH WIN no matter what. I guess because I haven't been drinking the kool-aide my whole life I should thank the stars I was finally allowed to buy a Ford and quit b!tchin'.
... except for the gauges of course.
Last edited by y5e06; Apr 25, 2013 at 08:10 AM.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: April 14, 2013
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 111
From: CT
Mach 1 Member
Joined: February 24, 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Metro Charlotte, NC
wunderbar. thanks for validating by showing your track car.
Dude, you're not going to make friends by coming in as a new mustang owner (especially as a former GM guy) and moaning incessantly about gauges or lack thereof.
Add a gauge and move on or trade your car in for another vette. having these cars is all about modding, so complaining you don't want to add stuff to a brand new car won't sit well with this group.
seriously, welcome to the board and I'm glad you're actually enjoying your new car, but let's move on. maybe you want to create a new thread like: "what's a good add-on to the stock gauges?" so we can all get on the right foot.
Dude, you're not going to make friends by coming in as a new mustang owner (especially as a former GM guy) and moaning incessantly about gauges or lack thereof.
Add a gauge and move on or trade your car in for another vette. having these cars is all about modding, so complaining you don't want to add stuff to a brand new car won't sit well with this group.
seriously, welcome to the board and I'm glad you're actually enjoying your new car, but let's move on. maybe you want to create a new thread like: "what's a good add-on to the stock gauges?" so we can all get on the right foot.
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: May 6, 2012
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
[Deep Breaths] come on with me, breeeeaatthhh [/Deep Breaths]
back to cordial exchanges:
ok, ok. I'm not trading for a Vette. Even as much as my wife would like me to... I considered buying one briefly but it was a distant 2nd to the Coyote, which is more my type of car.
besides, you could see from space the grin on my face on day1 of ownership (and day2, and day3, and day4...) I think my face is still sore.
I like the idea of the premium gauge swap and I may consider a Rousch vent gauge pod for real oil pressure readings.
I did place a 2 3/8" gauge in that space between the speedo and tach last night. It was a bit too big and wont work. width was fine but it totally blocked the turn signals and lower parts of the fuel and temp guage as well as a good bit of the bat & oil lights.
Maybe the 2 1/16" one would fit better and be acceptable with some creative massaging but that seems like a good place if some kind of ~2.5" wide x 1.5" tall type digital display could be found.
I suppose this thread had run its course. I'll figure out a solution at some point
back to cordial exchanges:
ok, ok. I'm not trading for a Vette. Even as much as my wife would like me to... I considered buying one briefly but it was a distant 2nd to the Coyote, which is more my type of car.
besides, you could see from space the grin on my face on day1 of ownership (and day2, and day3, and day4...) I think my face is still sore.
I like the idea of the premium gauge swap and I may consider a Rousch vent gauge pod for real oil pressure readings.
I did place a 2 3/8" gauge in that space between the speedo and tach last night. It was a bit too big and wont work. width was fine but it totally blocked the turn signals and lower parts of the fuel and temp guage as well as a good bit of the bat & oil lights.
Maybe the 2 1/16" one would fit better and be acceptable with some creative massaging but that seems like a good place if some kind of ~2.5" wide x 1.5" tall type digital display could be found.
I suppose this thread had run its course. I'll figure out a solution at some point
NOT CURRENTLY ACTIVE ON THIS SITE! DO NOT USE PM FEATURE!
Joined: October 25, 2010
Posts: 5,279
Likes: 16
From: Dearborn, MI
I picked up my 2014 Track Pack & Recarro GT this past Saturday after much anticipation. I’ve been contemplating one of these cars since 2012 and almost pulled the trigger on a Boss last year.
I made my decision to order and finally placed the order in early March. When I picked my car up I thought it was great, with all the excitement it looked perfect. It wasn’t until yesterday after reading the manual and trying to figure out what 5-way selector button it was indicating for the Apps that I realized I didn’t have Track Apps! ARRGGGG! I’m sure I’m not the first, a big mistake on my part (see below links).
I made my decision to order and finally placed the order in early March. When I picked my car up I thought it was great, with all the excitement it looked perfect. It wasn’t until yesterday after reading the manual and trying to figure out what 5-way selector button it was indicating for the Apps that I realized I didn’t have Track Apps! ARRGGGG! I’m sure I’m not the first, a big mistake on my part (see below links).
GT Track Package (Coupe with Manual Transmission only)
• Brembo™ Brake package content plus the following
– TORSEN® helical differential with 3.73:1 axle ratio
– Boss® 302 Radiator
– Engine oil cooler
I recommend you speak to your dealer and see what other options you may have.
Deysha
