Autoblog

Delphi to offer clever DIY smartphone interface for older cars

Chris Tutor — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, CES, Technology

Those of us with an older car might be feeling a bit jealous of all the new cars with their fancy smart phone apps. But if you have a 1996 or newer vehicle, you may soon be able to bring your car closer to those new-fangled models.

Autoblog spoke with Craig Tieman, advanced concepts and market development manager for Delphi, at the 2013 CES in Las Vegas Monday night about Delphi's Connected Car device. The matchbox-sized box plugs into a car's OBDII port to provide a link from your smartphone to your car.

From there, things get really interesting. After scanning your car's onboard computers, the little black box pairs with your smart phone and offers a choice of key fob designs on the screen. Choose the one that most resembles your car's original fob, and you're ready to go. Essentially, the smartphone app replaces all of the functions of your fob. Honk the panic button, open the doors, remote start, etc.

Using the OBDII connection, Delphi's gadget can also be used as an error code scanner to help you determine the source of your car's problems. Depending on the model of your car, the smartphone app can even display fuel level, battery health, and several other datapoints including a list of all trips, average speed, etc.

More? Okay. The Connected Car also can provide location information. If your teen driver sets out in the snow, you can track the vehicle's route in almost real time. Using your smart phone, you can even set up virtual geofencing boundaries that, if crossed, will send you an email. So you'll know when Junior is taking your Camaro to the drag strip, or when your little Snowflake is visiting that older boy you told her she couldn't see any more.

All this is can be done using Verizon's mobile service, so you can access the information from anywhere your phone can receive a signal. No phone? A web browser interface is also available.

If you're trying to unlock your car deep within your underground bunker and have no cell service, the Connected Car also includes a Bluetooth module. Once paired, cell service isn't needed for most of the basic functions.

Tieman says this is only the beginning, pledging to expect new functionality soon after the device is launched in February. Pricing of the Connected Car, to be sold by Verizon, as well as the service fees, haven't been determined. But, hey... it's got to be cheaper than buying a new car.

Delphi to offer clever DIY smartphone interface for older cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CarMD's Vehicle Health Index deciphers the 'check engine' light

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 07 May 2011 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Is your Check Engine light staring you in the face? That bright orange warning serves as a beacon that something is wrong. Problem is, it doesn't convey anything more than that. For years, the prime culprit of an illuminated CEL has been a loose gas cap. In fact, according to CarMD.com, the gas cap has ranked as number one on the CEL hit list for the last 12 years. Recently, however, it seems people are either giving their gas caps an extra twist or the Check Engine Light has had enough because the new CEL king is the engine misfire.

CarMD has an extensive database of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC), which date back to the 1996 introduction of mandated on-board diagnostic technology. Now, CarMD is using that data to shed some light on the oft-misunderstood Check Engine light, and it's produced its first-ever Annual Vehicle Health Index Report.

Set to be released each April, the Vehicle Health Index Report examines the most common repairs or fixes required as a result of CEL warnings. The gas cap has fallen to number two on that list, while replacement of the O₂ sensor has risen to the top spot. Taking home third place is the always-expensive DTC that alerts you to replace your catalytic converter.

Click past the jump to read the full press release from CarMD.com, and to glean more insight into what our Check Engine lights are telling us. Unless, of course, you own a Volkswagen from the mid '90s, in which case you should simply get a piece of black tape and cover up the CEL because it's always on.

Continue reading CarMD's Vehicle Health Index deciphers the 'check engine' light

CarMD's Vehicle Health Index deciphers the 'check engine' light originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 May 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Rev for iPhone reaches 2.0, includes data-logging [w/ VIDEO]

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:24:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Technology

Since there are approximately one trillion iPhones in the world and about ten-times as many apps, it's not hard to find a program to suit your needs. But in the automotive sphere, there aren't nearly as many quality applications and even fewer that can deliver the information most gearheads crave. Thankfully, DevToaster has answered the call with Rev, and putting out the 2.0 release of its popular diagnostic and performance program.

In addition to offering code-reading and clearing features, along with OBD metrics for everything from coolant temp to throttle position (full features here), Rev includes built-in metrics for lateral and forward acceleration to calculate horsepower and torque, saved vehicles, GPS tracking and data-logging. In a bid to make the program more user friendly on the fly, it's reworked its interface to make it easier to edit the visual representations for the virtual (and customizable) gauges and graphs.

Although it's $39.99 App Store price seems like a deal considering its capabilities, the steep price of the company's wireless OBD-II controller ($149.99, pictured at right) is slightly harder to swallow. However, DevToaster is working on bringing the cost of the unit down in the near future and hopes to bring out both a series of "fun," "green" utilities and has talked with Google about developing a version for Android phones. Look for a full review of the 2.0 software soon.

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Rev for iPhone reaches 2.0, includes data-logging [w/ VIDEO]

SEMA 2009: Rev for iPhone reaches 2.0, includes data-logging [w/ VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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