 Many of Garmin's current vehicle navigators offer ecoRoute capability. ecoRoute allows drivers to obtain diagnostic information from their vehicle. This information can be viewed on GPS units or compatible Android smartphones.
To start, users download the Garmin Mechanic app from the Android Marketplace for free. Along with the app, users need the Garmin ecoRoute HD cable, which uses Bluetooth to send the data directly to the smartphone.
The ecoRoute has customizable gauges that monitor coolant temperature, RPM, intake manifold pressure and more. Most commonly, the ecoRoute data is used to determine instant and average fuel economy. When used as a diagnostic tool, the HD Cable will send error codes to the users' Android so they can accurately diagnose minor or major malfunctions. If the error proves to be a minor problem, the Mechanic program allows users to reset the "Check Engine" light.
Once compiled, vehicle statistics can be recorded and exported to Microsoft Excel as CSV files. The data can also be viewed on interactive graphs to spot trends or possible trouble spots. |