Mobile data is revolutionizing car maintenance and management. Today, even budget-friendly vehicles come equipped with telematics services, allowing you to monitor your car’s health and location from virtually anywhere via a smartphone app. But what if you drive an older model lacking these modern conveniences? Enter the Audiovox Car Connection, an aftermarket device designed to bring telematics capabilities to older cars via the OBD2 port.
The Audiovox Car Connection is a device that plugs directly into your car’s OBD-II port, enabling telematics features for older vehicles.
Similar in concept to the Vehicle Diagnostics by Delphi system, the Audiovox Car Connection offers a more budget-friendly entry point into aftermarket telematics, boasting a sleeker design and a slightly different feature set. Compatible with any car manufactured from 1996 onwards (thanks to the standardized OBD-II port), this device opens up a world of connectivity for older vehicles.
Once installed, the Car Connection allows you to access a wealth of information about your vehicle through the Audiovox Car Connection website. This includes real-time location tracking, insights into fuel economy, engine diagnostics, and even driving behavior analysis. A companion smartphone app provides access to core functionalities on the go.
Diving Deeper into the Audiovox Car Connection OBD2 Device
The Audiovox Car Connection device itself is compact and discreet, featuring a GPS chip and wireless data transmitter encased in a glossy black plastic housing. One end is equipped with a standard OBD-II connector for easy plug-and-play installation. The opposite end is rounded and incorporates an LED status indicator.
A notable design advantage over some competitors is the hinged body of the Car Connection. This thoughtful design allows for adjustment after plugging into the OBD-II port, minimizing potential obstruction in the footwell. This is particularly useful as OBD-II port locations vary significantly across car makes and models. While Audiovox doesn’t include an OBD-II extension cable, the hinged design largely mitigates the need for one.
Simple Setup and Connectivity
Setting up the Audiovox Car Connection OBD2 device is remarkably straightforward. After registering an account on the Car Connection website, simply plug the device into your car’s OBD-II port. The LED indicator will blink green upon successful connection to both the car’s computer and the external server. A red light indicates a connection failure. Ensure your car is in an open area with adequate mobile data coverage during setup.
Once connected, you can immediately access your car’s data through the website and the smartphone app.
Features and Functionality of Audiovox Car Connection
The Car Connection platform offers a range of features accessible via the web dashboard and a simplified smartphone app.
Vehicle Health and Maintenance
The Car Connection web dashboard provides a centralized view of your vehicle’s status, including maintenance reminders and vehicle location.
The web dashboard provides a snapshot of your car’s health, including any detected engine issues. In testing, the Car Connection successfully identified an oxygen sensor issue, confirming a pre-existing Check Engine light. While this diagnostic capability is useful, it’s important to note that the Car Connection reads a limited set of error codes and does not offer the ability to reset a Check Engine light. For most users, this information serves primarily as an alert to seek professional mechanic assistance. It’s also worth noting that the system didn’t report on an ABS warning light, indicating limitations in the scope of diagnostic information provided.
The Car Connection also allows you to set up customizable maintenance reminders based on mileage intervals. These reminders can be configured for various maintenance tasks, from routine items like windshield washer fluid refills to more significant services such as timing belt replacement. Notifications can be delivered via email, text message, or both, offering flexible alert options. However, these reminders are mileage-based and not triggered by actual vehicle sensor data.
Location Tracking and Geofencing
The Car Connection’s Safety Zone feature allows users to define geographical boundaries and receive alerts when the vehicle enters or exits these zones.
A key feature of the Audiovox Car Connection is its real-time location tracking. When the car is running, the device updates its location every 5 minutes, and hourly when parked. The web interface allows users to review historical location data for any given day, a feature particularly appealing to parents wanting to monitor their teen drivers.
The geofencing, or “Safety Zones,” feature expands on location tracking. Users can define up to five circular zones on a map, centered around a specific address. If the vehicle enters or exits these zones, the system triggers an alert, which can be sent to a designated phone number or email. The zone creation tool is user-friendly but limited to circular shapes defined by a radius around an address.
The smartphone app primarily focuses on location features. It displays the car’s current location and provides directions via Google Maps, a handy tool for navigating large parking areas. The app’s functionality is intentionally streamlined, emphasizing core location tracking.
It’s important to note that the Audiovox Car Connection does not include remote features like door unlock or engine start, which are found in some higher-end telematics systems.
Driving Behavior and Fuel Economy Monitoring
The Car Connection smartphone app provides basic location information and directions to the vehicle.
The Audiovox Car Connection offers basic driving behavior analysis and fuel economy tracking. However, the fuel economy feature is limited to displaying a 30-day average, rather than detailed logs of individual trips or fuel fill-ups. More granular fuel economy data would be beneficial for budgeting and identifying potential vehicle efficiency issues.
The “Driving Scoring” feature, branded as a “driving coach,” monitors driving habits and records instances of harsh acceleration or excessive speed. While drivers might find this feature intrusive, it can be valuable for parents monitoring young drivers. Unfortunately, the driving behavior parameters are not customizable, lacking the ability to set specific speed thresholds for alerts.
Affordability and Data Plan
A significant advantage of the Audiovox Car Connection is its affordable data plan. While the device itself costs around $170, the monthly data plan is a reasonable $10 per month, with a $20 activation fee. Annual payment options may offer further discounts. This pricing structure is considerably more competitive than some alternative telematics solutions.
The Verdict: Is Audiovox Car Connection OBD2 Right for You?
While helpful, the diagnostic information provided by the Car Connection is not a substitute for professional mechanic diagnosis.
For the average driver seeking advanced vehicle diagnostics or comprehensive fuel economy analysis, the Audiovox Car Connection OBD2 might offer limited appeal. Its engine health monitoring provides basic alerts but doesn’t replace professional diagnostics, and its fuel economy tracking is less detailed than many modern trip computers.
However, for parents seeking to monitor their children’s driving habits and vehicle location, the Audiovox Car Connection presents a compelling and affordable solution. The location tracking and geofencing features are robust and user-friendly, making it easy to keep tabs on vehicle whereabouts and driving behavior. If peace of mind regarding teen driving is a priority, the Audiovox Car Connection OBD2 is a worthwhile investment.
