For Hyundai Kona Electric owners in right-hand drive markets like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, accessing your car’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD2) port is surprisingly easy. Unlike some vehicles where the OBD port is hidden in awkward, footwell-obscuring locations, the Kona EV places it conveniently within reach. Located behind a readily removable plastic cover near the driver’s right knee, accessing the Kona EV’s OBD2 port is a breeze.
This user-friendly placement allows Kona EV owners to effortlessly connect OBD2 readers and unlock a wealth of real-time data about their electric vehicle. An OBD2 port provides a window into your EV’s operations, enabling you to monitor live data, log performance metrics, and gain deeper insights into your car’s health and behavior. This capability is invaluable for understanding and optimizing your Kona EV’s performance.
Once you’ve located the Hyundai Kona 2024 OBD2 port, connecting a wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) OBD2 reader is straightforward. Devices like the OBDLink CX, which is personally recommended and used by many EV enthusiasts, can be easily plugged in. The OBDLink CX stands out as a preferred choice due to its reliability and compatibility, particularly with popular EV applications.
The OBDLink CX gains further endorsement from A Better Route Planner (ABRP), a leading trip planning app for electric vehicles. ABRP recommends the OBDLink CX for its quality, seamless integration, and secure design. According to ABRP, the OBDLink CX “limits the window when it is available for pairing, making it slightly more secure,” and the manufacturer even assures users it is “Safe to leave plugged in”.
Pairing the OBDLink CX with the Car Scanner Pro app (paid version) opens up a world of live EV data monitoring on your smartphone. This combination, popularized by EV experts like Bjorn Nyland, allows you to display real-time statistics related to your Kona EV’s driving, temperature, battery health, and charging data. Furthermore, you can log this data for later analysis, enabling you to track trends, optimize charging habits, and gain a comprehensive understanding of your EV’s performance over time.
Hyundai EVs, compared to some other brands, offer particularly rich data access through the OBD2 port. Owners can monitor a wide range of parameters, including the current AC or DC charging rate, the health of both the main battery and the 12V battery, and even historical AC and DC charging data. This detailed information empowers Kona EV owners with unprecedented insight into their vehicle’s operation.
The benefits of using an OBD2 reader extend beyond data monitoring. When paired with applications like A Better Route Planner (ABRP), an OBD2 reader becomes an indispensable tool for long journeys. By providing ABRP with real-time data from your Kona EV, you can achieve more accurate range predictions, optimized charging stop planning, and a smoother, more confident EV road trip experience, especially in regions like Australia where charging infrastructure can be spread out.
Important OBD2 Usage Tips
While OBD2 readers offer significant advantages, it’s important to be mindful of a few practical considerations. In some EVs, the OBD2 port might be occupied by other devices like dashcams or tracking systems, limiting its availability.
For security, especially in public parking situations, it’s a good practice to unplug your OBD2 reader or disconnect it from your smartphone when leaving your Kona EV unattended. In certain EV models, leaving an OBD2 reader connected and paired with a phone while locking the car can trigger the alarm system, potentially causing unwanted disturbances. The simple solution is to disconnect your phone from the OBD2 reader before locking your Kona EV.
Another user tip highlights a security aspect of BLE OBD2 devices. While convenient, BLE OBD2 readers might have limited security against unauthorized connections. The OBDLink CX addresses this partially by automatically shutting down after a period of inactivity. For enhanced security, especially if you are concerned about potential unauthorized access, consider removing the OBD2 reader when you are not actively using it. Alternatively, for users prioritizing robust security, full Bluetooth OBD2 scanners like the OBDLink LX, used in conjunction with apps like EVnotify to bridge data to ABRP, offer a more secure connection protocol.
In conclusion, the easily accessible OBD2 port in the Hyundai Kona EV, combined with affordable and reliable OBD2 readers and user-friendly apps, empowers owners to deeply understand their vehicle’s performance and optimize their EV ownership experience. Whether you are a tech-savvy EV enthusiast or simply seeking to enhance your Kona EV road trips, exploring the capabilities of your OBD2 port is highly recommended.
