What works in your car, what works with your phone, and what it doesn't do. If something here doesn't answer your question, email us.
It needs an OBD-II port, the diagnostic plug under the dash. Every car sold in the US since 1996 has one.
For live engine data, the car's computer has to talk a language called CAN. That covers nearly every car sold in the US from the 2008 model year on, and many from 2004 to 2007.
In an older OBD-II car the gauge still powers up, and the clock, navigation, music, weather and notifications all work. The engine readings show "--".
It shows what your car reports, and cars differ. Almost every car reports RPM, speed, coolant temperature, throttle, intake air temperature, engine load, battery voltage and fuel trim.
Oil temperature, boost, measured air-fuel ratio and fuel pressure are only reported by some cars. The app's Data tab shows which readings your car sends, so you only pick ones that work.
Hybrids and electric cars report fewer engine readings.
No. It reads data the same way a mechanic's scan tool does. It never changes settings, tunes or software in your car.
The one thing it can send is a request to clear check-engine codes, and only when you tap Clear codes in the app and confirm. See Check engine.
It only reads data and plugs into a standard port, like a scan tool or an insurance tracker. It's easy to unplug before a dealer visit if you'd rather not have the conversation.
There's one OBD-II port, and the gauge uses it. Unplug the gauge before you plug in a scan tool, tuner or emissions tester, then plug it back in after.
iPhone required. Android coming later.
You need iOS 16 or newer. Siri commands need iOS 17.
Not yet. The Founder's Edition requires an iPhone. Join the list and we'll let you know when Android is ready.
Yes, with an iPhone. New texts, calls and app alerts pop up on the gauge over whatever screen you're on, for about 5 seconds, showing the app, who it's from and the message. The edge of the gauge glows in that app's color, and the last few stay on the Connection screen.
The gauge reads them straight from your iPhone over Bluetooth, the same way a smartwatch does. They aren't sent to the app or anywhere else. To turn them off: iPhone Settings, Bluetooth, tap (i) next to AetherGauge, then turn off Share System Notifications.
Not for the gauge itself. Engine data, every gauge screen and recordings work with no signal at all.
Navigation, address search, speed limits and weather come from the internet through your phone, so they need data while you set a route and drive.
No. It reconnects by itself when you get in the car and keeps working in the background. For navigation with your phone locked, allow Location "Always" when the app asks.
On iPhone, call and text alerts reach the gauge straight from iOS, even if the app is closed.
The gauge reads your car on its own, so engine data keeps going. Navigation, music, weather and notifications pause until the phone is back.
About 5 minutes, no tools and no wiring. Plug the cable into the OBD-II port, route it under the dash away from the pedals, and set the gauge in its mount. The setup page walks you through it.
Anywhere a standard 52 mm (2 1/16 in) round gauge fits: an A-pillar pod, a single-gauge cup on the dash or column, or a console pod. Keep it clear of airbags and where you can read it at a glance.
About 3 minutes after you turn the engine off, the gauge goes to sleep: screen off, very low power. It wakes up when you start the car.
If the car will sit for more than a week, unplug the gauge. That's good practice with anything plugged into the OBD-II port.
You set the brightness in the app. Pick a theme with strong colours for bright days and a dimmer setting for night driving.
From your phone: the app's gauge remote changes screens and runs each screen's button. On iPhone you can also use the Home Screen widget or Siri ("Change to Weather on the gauge").
Type a destination in the app's Navigate tab. The phone works out the route and sends it to the gauge, which shows a round map that turns with the car, or big turn arrows if you prefer.
Routes come from the AetherGauge app, not Apple Maps or Google Maps.
About ±0.1 seconds for 0-60, using the car's own speed signal plus the gauge's motion sensor for the launch. It's great for comparing your own runs. It isn't a certified timing system.
Use it only on a closed course or drag strip, never on public roads.
Yes. Updates are free and install from the app over Bluetooth in a few minutes. If an update is ever interrupted, the gauge keeps its current software and you simply try again.
It checks for trouble codes every 30 seconds. A new code pops up over any screen with what it usually means. The app explains each code and how urgent it is.
Only after the problem is fixed. Clearing a code turns the light off but doesn't fix anything, and the light comes back if the fault is still there.
Clearing also resets your car's emissions self-tests. An inspection may fail until you've driven normally for a few days.
No subscription and no account. The app and every update are free.
Your drives, recordings, favourites and settings stay on your phone and gauge. There's no cloud, no ads and no tracking.
To give you directions, weather and speed limits, your phone sends locations to map and weather services. The privacy policy lists every one.
AetherGauge is in pre-launch. Join the list and you'll get one email when it's available.
Email us. Include your car's year, make and model if it's about compatibility.
AetherworksEngineering@gmail.com