A car that is connected to the internet is called a 'connected car'. Nowadays, most new cars are already connected. But you can also connect your old car to the internet.
A connected car collects all kinds of data. For example, about your fuel consumption, your driving behavior and the routes you take. This data enables you to drive more safely and economically. It is also a handy way to register your journeys for the tax authorities. Garages in turn can detect a fault before you end up on the side of the road with a breakdown.
Very handy, such a connected car. But can you also connect a car that is not factory-connected to the internet? Yes. Even if your car is not equipped with the necessary hardware and software as standard, you can connect your car. This can be done in various ways.
Dongle
The easiest way to connect your car is with a dongle. This stick connects to the OBD port in your car, which gives you access to the software in your car. Garages use this port to read out faults, for example. Cars produced after 2005 have an OBD port. Cars a few years older sometimes do too.
You can choose between a Bluetooth dongle or a SIM card dongle, both of which send data to an app on your smartphone. For Bluetooth, it is a requirement that you are close to your car. This means that you cannot determine the location of your car remotely, which is useful if you no longer know where exactly you parked.
Black box
Another way to make your car connected is by installing a black box: a box that is built in under your hood. You have to have this done by a garage.
Is your car connected? And what exactly do you do with the data that this provides? At Adrem you can get a modern rent a car in Brunssum and surroundings!
