As a car enthusiast always looking for ways to understand my vehicle better, I became intrigued by the idea of monitoring real-time fuel consumption, much like you see in taxis. This curiosity led me down the path of OBD2 scanners and how they can interface with your car’s computer to provide a wealth of information. For Hyundai i30 owners, the i30 OBD2 port is your gateway to unlocking this data.
After some research, I discovered that by connecting an OBD2 diagnostic device to the OBD2 port, I could pair it with an Android device via Bluetooth and access various vehicle parameters.
My first purchase was the “Monster Gauge,” a Korean-made diagnostic tool. Despite being pricier than many Chinese alternatives, I opted for a domestic product hoping for better compatibility and support. The Monster Gauge cost me in the early to mid 100,000 Korean Won range.
Upon plugging the Monster Gauge into the i30 OBD2 port and starting the engine, I was met with a frightening experience. The engine sputtered, seemed like it was about to stall, and the check engine light illuminated! Alarmed, I immediately turned off the engine, unplugged the device, and then cautiously reconnected it before restarting. This time, thankfully, the engine started normally. It was a brief moment, but quite unsettling.
While the app interface of the Monster Gauge was decent, I found the lack of customization options disappointing. More crucially, the real-time fuel consumption data, the very feature I was most interested in, was not available for my vehicle. This was despite the compatibility chart indicating full functionality for my i30 model. Upon contacting customer support, I was informed that they had never received a report of fuel consumption data not working on the i30 before, seemingly due to the limited number of i30 users. To say I was a bit frustrated that compatibility was advertised without thorough testing would be an understatement. However, to their credit, they promptly offered a full refund, which I accepted.
For my second attempt, I turned to the widely popular ELM327 OBD2 adapter. Priced much more affordably in the $20-$30 USD range, the ELM327 is a ubiquitous tool, backed by a wealth of online resources and community support. I purchased mine from a Korean reseller who imported the device and added the necessary KC certification sticker for local sale.
The ELM327’s popularity stems from its broad app compatibility. Among the numerous compatible apps, Torque Pro stands out as a favorite within the OBD2 community, and it became my app of choice as well. Using Torque Pro, I could finally monitor real-time fuel consumption. Even during idling at traffic lights, watching the fuel cost increment in 1 Korean Won units made me envious of stop-and-go and hybrid vehicle owners!
Torque Pro’s strength lies in its extensive customization capabilities and a vast library of plugins, enhancing its versatility. One particularly useful plugin I discovered was “AwesomeIt,” designed specifically to add Korean car manufacturer specific PIDs (Parameter IDs), further increasing the functionality for vehicles like my i30. In fact, the sheer number of customization options in Torque Pro could be considered a drawback for some, as it can feel a bit overwhelming at first.
However, my journey with the ELM327 wasn’t without its hiccups. A couple of days after installing the ELM327 and using it, I discovered my car battery was completely drained. This was unusual, as I had been using a dashcam with parking mode for a year without any battery issues. After contacting the seller, I learned that the ELM327 doesn’t have a dedicated low-power mode when the ignition is off, but they assured me that most vehicles should easily handle it for at least a week without battery drain.
Suspecting something else, I investigated further and pinpointed the culprit: my tablet. While the tablet was powered by a cigarette lighter socket charger that cuts off with the ignition, the Bluetooth connection to the ELM327 was not disconnecting. It turned out that while the Torque Pro app would go into sleep mode, another app I had previously installed, “Dana CarScan,” was running in the background and continuously communicating with the ELM327, even though I hadn’t actively used it. This constant communication was draining the car battery. Uninstalling the Dana CarScan app resolved the battery drain issue.
To further explore power-saving options, I ordered a Chinese-made ELM327 from AliExpress that advertised a power-saving feature. I have since switched to this device.
One persistent issue I’ve encountered, possibly specific to my i30 model, is a significant discrepancy between the fuel economy displayed on the car’s trip computer and the readings from Torque Pro. The difference is around 5-6 km/l. To compensate, I adjusted the fuel economy settings in the app to be 1.6 times higher, which roughly aligns the readings. Even when coasting with my foot off the accelerator, I noticed the throttle position reading around 10%, and slight fuel consumption even during engine braking situations, suggesting the OBD2 data might not accurately reflect fuel cut-off. This discrepancy, even with data directly from the OBD2 port, makes me wonder if Hyundai uses a proprietary communication protocol.
Another minor annoyance is occasional connection drops, occurring roughly every three days. Sometimes, the parameters simply stop updating. Re-pairing the Bluetooth doesn’t resolve it, and I have to restart the engine, which isn’t feasible while driving. So, until the next drive, the real-time data becomes unavailable.
To streamline the tablet usage, I utilize the Tasker app. It automatically turns on Bluetooth, launches AwesomeIt and Torque Pro when power is detected from the cigarette lighter charger, and turns off Bluetooth and the screen when power is disconnected. This automation eliminates the need to manually interact with the tablet each time I drive, and the tablet battery lasts about a week without needing a recharge. However, I am a bit concerned about potential heat issues during the summer months.
Despite these minor drawbacks and troubleshooting, my experience with OBD2 scanners and my i30’s OBD2 port has been largely positive. While this write-up may seem to focus on the challenges, the initial motivation was to boast a little about this tech. In reality, seeing real-time fuel consumption has significantly influenced my driving habits, pushing me even further towards fuel-efficient driving – perhaps an unexpected benefit!
Furthermore, the diagnostic capabilities of the OBD2 scanner proved invaluable in identifying the conditions that trigger the EWGA rod noise, a common issue in i30 1.4T models. This precise symptom reproduction enabled me to get the turbocharger warrantied and repaired at the dealership, highlighting another significant advantage of using an OBD2 scanner.
For anyone who enjoys car accessories and gaining a deeper understanding of their vehicle, I would recommend exploring OBD2 diagnostic tools. They offer a fascinating glimpse into your car’s inner workings and can even contribute to better driving habits and proactive maintenance.
Thank you for reading my somewhat lengthy account.
