There are a few products on the market that perform the functions of the Vehicle Diagnostics system by Delphi; the one that you choose (if any) depends on your preference in the way that information is presented and how accessible it is. Delphi and Verizon have partnered to offer Vehicle Diagnostics, a plug-in module for adding advanced telematics to existing cars.
This system keeps track of your car’s location and fuel level, and sends alerts about maintenance issues. Users can access data on the Web or through a smart phone app. Without an existing Verizon data plan, it costs $35 per month to run the Vehicle Diagnostics system. Although it doesn’t track fuel economy, many newer cars already have that as a feature.
How is it different than other products? GM brands such as Chevrolet and Buick, along with most luxury automakers, offer their customers telematics services enabling connected features such as maintenance alerts, vehicle tracking, and even remote door unlocking. If you want these features, and you don’t have one of these models, you don’t have to go and buy a whole new car. If your car was manufactured before 1996, then it won’t have an OBD-II port, and won’t work with Delphi’s Vehicle Diagnostics system. Likewise, the system isn’t compatible with every vehicle made after 1996. The module, a little black box about 4 inches long, plugs into a car’s OBD-II port, and comes packed with a GPS chip and a wireless data connection.
Delphi’s Vehicle Diagnostics system works best as a tool for parents who let their kids drive the family car, as it shows the car location and will trigger an alert if the car leaves a proscribed area. You may not have the newest or most luxurious vehicle, but as long as it’s newer than 1996, it should be compatible with this device and your children will never be completely out of your sight again.
