We all know that it is dangerous to talk and text while driving, much less do anything more intensive on our phones. We also know that the majority of accidents that result from these types of distractions occur in the late teens. So, would it help to have a way to monitor your car (and its driver) constantly? Audiovox thinks so.
The Audiovox Car Connection’s main benefit is letting parents keep track of their children’s driving behavior for a relatively low per-month price. The data plan costs only $10 per month, and the device shows a car’s location updated every 5 minutes. You can set a number of e-mail and text alerts, such as maintenance reminders. As it requires an OBD-II port, the Car Connection only works in cars from 1996 and later. Through the Car Connection Web site, you can see your car’s current location, fuel economy information, engine health, and a driving coach. There is also an associated smart phone app with limited functionality.
The Audiovox Car Connection is similar to the Vehicle Diagnostics by Delphi system, but comes at a lower price, has a better physical design, and includes different capabilities. Unlike Delphi, Audiovox does not include an OBD-II extension cable, but the Car Connection hinges in the middle, letting you adjust it so as not to intrude in a car’s footwell. since some cars have the OBD-II port on the transmission tunnel in the passenger footwell. The placement of OBD-II ports varies widely between carmakers and models. From there, setup is simple.
This device can help you discover things about your car you may not have known. For example, if your “check engine” light is on, it may tell you that you have a bad oxygen sensor. It also serves as a tracking device, for teens or even in the even that the car gets stolen. The one negative thing about the Audiovox Car Connection is that fuel economy monitoring is limited to a 30-day average. Car Connection only reads a limited number of error codes and includes no means of resetting a Check Engine warning.
