Coding your car is a fun thing to do. You can get even more out of your car and also personalize it. But there is one catch: it’s expensive. Here we’ll tell you how you can code your car with your mobile phone and save a lot of time and money.
You might ask — how can I code my car with my cellphone? Normally it is necessary to drive to a suitable garage to code your car. Depending on the model and the number of coding possibilities, the costs can be in the three-digit range.
In addition, there are the working hours to be paid and the problems of finding an appointment slot. With the Carly app, this is all a thing of the past. By investing in their adapter and app, you can do it all yourself.
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You can read about the necessary steps in the following summary. And not only that, unlike workshops, we’ll delve deeper into the coding itself.
What exactly is car coding?
Basically there is a second interface in every car. Coding is nothing new, it has been around for many years. Through this process of changing codes, manufacturers unlock functions depending on the trim level of a specific car. The higher (more expensive) the trim level, the longer the list of the equipment is. And why is this topic held a secret?
Well, coding can bring these hidden features to life. There are hardly any limits to creativity and it means that a car with any entry trim level can be “upgraded” to a fully equipped model. The diversity of coding possibilities ranges from changing different indicators and locking functions to numerous interior adjustments.
We will discuss what exactly is possible later. Nevertheless, coding is limited by one important detail. Because there is one little snag: if you want to access the power of coding, you have to have it done by a certified workshop. At least, that’s how it used to be.
How does the Carly app work?
With Carly, coding has gotten a makeover. The Carly app offers comprehensive functions that you can easily enjoy via your smartphone. Since nowadays almost everyone owns a smartphone and uses it regularly, the Carly app is the go-to version, before you start writing the codes yourself with your laptop.
The premium version of the Carly app (which gives you access to coding functions) costs between $21-83, depending on the car brand subscription you buy, plus the cost of the Carly Universal Adapter. All in all, the price for the adapter and app starts at just over $100, but the exact price depends on the required app version.
But once you have the app and adapter, how exactly do you make the desired changes ? Just a few simple steps. First, plug the Carly adapter in the OBD2 port of your car. It’s very easy and does not require any great knowledge of cars.
Afterward, you can connect to the adapter via the Carly app. In a menu you now have an overview of all possible codes. If you need more help, you can check out our other articles about your car and possible features to unlock.
What can I code with my car?
There is no concrete answer to this question. There are too many possibilities from the different car manufacturers to be able to give a universal answer.. Each car also has different unlockable functions. To give you a feeling of what is possible, here are some coding examples for the exterior of a car:
- Adjusting the folding of the side mirrors
- High beam adjustments (brightness)
- Changing blinker settings (frequency of the one touch blinker option)
- Customizing various lights such as side markers or tail lights
- and much more…
Now let’s get into interior coding. A frequently criticized point with new as well as old cars are the speedometers. Every manufacturer has its own layouts.
Regular changes provide for variety but not always to the delight of the customers. Especially with speedometers and the general display settings, tastes are too different to satisfy everyone.
Therefore it makes sense to consider coding it to your taste. Furthermore, some models offer the possibility to code the navigation system. Just try it out!
Are there any risks when coding this way?
When you hear the word code, you immediately think of a confusing list of consecutive numbers that make no sense.
Less than a decade ago, people with advanced knowledge of technology were first able to use a cable to transfer their own MP3 files to the navigation system of their BMW.
All this is now a thing of the past. Nowadays, no one has to deal with miserably long number queues anymore, because the adapters will do that for you. This also reduces the risk of errors to virtually zero.
Another very important point that should not go unmentioned is that the Carly adapter allows you to monitor your changes in real-time.
This is a huge advantage, because with some other OBD2 adapters it is not possible to see what you are working on. Then the big problem is that any errors are hard to find and stay in the system.
Will my car lose its warranty if I code it?
Loss of warranty is every new car owner’s nightmare. Even when buying a used car, there is often still a residual warranty. And since coding is essentially an intervention in the on-board electronics, a lot of people worry it could invalidate the warranty. There are various threads on internet forums where you can read reports from impartial consumers. Most say that coding is not a problem, because these codings can actually be made by the licensed seller and are therefore within the legal framework. But this is apparently not always the case, as the guarantee can expire if a permanent coding is proven. Therefore many people shy away from coding themselves.
So what about the Carly adapter?
Carly offers a solution for these cases. This is not only all-inclusive, but also really useful. If you look around in online forums, you shouldn’t find anything about the use of Carly leading to a warranty issue.
There is a reason for this: Carly is a certified dealer for diagnostic equipment and is therefore legally protected. This means that we grant you the ongoing warranty, even after coding.
Conclusion
These days everyone owns a smartphone, and the technology is only improving. And the continual release of new apps makes smartphones more and more useful.
We are used to connecting our mobile phones with the navigation systems of our cars and to have unlimited access to music when we don’t like what’s playing on the radio.
With Carly, smartphones take on a new meaning for cars. Using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) the app can be connected to the Carly adapter.
This gives everyone access to cool car functions that have not been unlocked by the manufacturer. You can read about what is possible for your car on the Carly website, by going to the FAQs.
There are other reasons why Carly is the best solution. With conventional adapters you often have to code things yourself or you don’t have the possibility to see directly what you are doing.
With Carly, this is done by the software, which guarantees error-free coding. Carly is also licensed, which means that you don’t have to worry about the warranty of your car.
So what are you waiting for?