CarChip...ever seen one??

[TRDCal]

So I was looking for the fuse panel today when I saw this (see below). It's an "autograph" CarChip by Davis Instruments(Vehicle tracking and monitoring solutions for small business, fleets, teens, and hobbyists by Davis). I was a little parnoid at first thinking it was some sort of chip to hid engine codes for easy resale, but it turns out it just monitors a bunch of stuff (speed, hard accel/decel, engine parameters etc.). I called Davis Instruments at first to see what it was and the guy explained that my model # was sold to Aviva insurance. I called Aviva and apparently they introduced an offer in 2004 for discounts to drivers with safe driving habits, so inorder to monitor whether or not they were driving carefully, they has these CarChips installed. (which is great for me cuz now I know forsure that the previous owner to care of it).

Of course all I have is the chip and no way of reading the information on it, BUT the great part is that the guy from Davis Inst. was really nice and offered to ship me the software and cord at NO cost (and were talking Hayward CA, USA to Ottawa ON, Canada.)

Anyone else have a CarChip or similar product? If so, how do you like?

 

[TRDCal]

bump

anyone, or am I alone out here?

 

[mckbrew]

If I were going to get something that monitored different engine parameters I'd go with a Scanguage as it actually has a readout.

 

[TRDCal]

If I were going to get something that monitored different engine parameters I'd go with a Scanguage as it actually has a readout.

Yah forsure, I agree 100%...Although I think the point of the chip is more that it stores information (not sure if the scangauge does that or not) and then you can make graphs and stuff on the computer to see highs and lows etc. Still not sure if thats useful to me but I didn't pay for it so I can't complain lol.

 

[needsmoresalt]

I have a Garmin nuvi with the Ecoroute HD accessory, it does the following:

Get customizable gauges to monitor RPM, air/fuel mixture, oil pressure, oil temp, coolant temp, air flow, fuel flow, air pressure, and more
Reads Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC)— allows you to view over 4000 trouble codes, their meaning, and reset the check engine light
Accurate fuel consumption data can actually help you improve MPG
Simple installation takes an average of only five minutes

You can read about it here: Garmin | United States | ecoRoute

I use the fuel saving program on long trips. It does prompt you to drive differently and is interactive with fuel costs saved.

 

[daka320]

Progressive Auto Insurance is coming out with something similar. Apparently one of these "car-chips" monitors various parameters about your driving and sends it wirelessly to them. They give you up to a 30% discount on your insurance. Thinking about it but there is the "Big Brother" invasion thing that I wonder about.

 

[TRDCal]

I have a Garmin nuvi with the Ecoroute HD accessory, it does the following....

Thats pretty cool...I just hope my nuvi can support it, i'll have to check what series I have when I get home. How much did it cost?

They give you up to a 30% discount on your insurance. Thinking about it but there is the "Big Brother" invasion thing that I wonder about.

I don't know about the big brother thing, but I wonder if your rates would go UP 30% if they caught you speeding hahaha

 

[MicaBlue03]

CarChip and 4Runners

I've got a couple of these and like them. I mostly use them when diagnosing problems. I've got a friend who leaves one in all the time and it helped him get a ticket dismissedbecause the recording of speed was continuous and time-stamped, helping him demonstrate to a judge that a ticket had been issued in error.

There are potential problems with some older 4Runners (prior to 2005) and newer CarChips. See
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/probl...ac-vsc-off-lights-zero-point-calibration.html

 

[Tucson4runner]

Progressive Auto Insurance is coming out with something similar. Apparently one of these "car-chips" monitors various parameters about your driving and sends it wirelessly to them. They give you up to a 30% discount on your insurance. Thinking about it but there is the "Big Brother" invasion thing that I wonder about.

Mine is being shipped right now. The rep told me that after 30 they assess my driving and give me my discount. Then I keep the chip in for another 5 months and after that I ship it back and my discount stays with me as long as I stay with progressive. Even if I switch cars.