Review - the Carly OBD app for VAG vehicles

[Update: 20.09.2023] This post was updatedto take more recent information into account. What does the warning light in the cockpit of our Audi A3 mean? Is the error message bad or maybe only sporadically? After this theoretical part the Carly app comes with the practical one. The Carly OBD adapter saves expensive visits to the workshop and is conveniently controlled via smartphone app. Nowadays, workshops alone calculate proud prices for reading out the error. On Funfer for the coffee till is far from enough to have the fault determined via the onboard diagnostic interface (OBD2) of modern cars. It doesn't have to be. The company Carly from Munich has an OBD2 adapter in its range for this, with which you can read out the maintenance requirements of the vehicle yourself.

in the Audi A3 8P in the driver's footwell

The installation of the adapter is simple: The OBD2 connector is almost always located somewhere in the footwell of the car or in the center console. If you plug in the adapter, it is immediately active. Now only the right Carly app (we need the VAG app from Carly - other Carly apps for BMW, Toyota, Mercedes, Porsche & Co. are available for download) onto your smartphone and establish the connection via Bluetooth.

As soon as the connection is established, you can immediately access countless vehicle data and get an overview of which control module is spitting out which error. In our case, we were looking to simply reset the fault memory to see if the problem in our A3 was permanent or perhaps just caused by a weak battery. If the car does have to go to the workshop, we like the fact that errors or new defects that occur during repairs can be detected using the Carly protocol. This way you can prove that the workshop created the error.

As already mentioned in the theoretical part, there are many settings that require a workshop visit or an expert tool without the Carly adapter. Should the daytime running lights be activated? Is the triple flashing too little and should the indicator flash four times when the lever is tapped? Do you drive a convertible and want to open the roof with a key? Carly offers all of these options. And thanks to the backup of the old version, there is no danger that the original version can no longer be restored.

popular is the coding for acoustic acknowledgment

summarized the most important functions:

• Used Car Check
  - Control units are read out and compared in order to identify a manipulated speedometer
• depth diagnosis
  - Control units are analyzed, error codes are read out
  - Manufacturer quality analysis
• Encode
  - Customize your car
  - Unlock hidden functions such as digital speedometer, automatic start-stop, US daytime running lights, etc.
• Service reset
  - Reset service intervals
• Live parameters
  - Monitor motor parameters (temperatures, pressures, etc.)
  
• NOx desulfurization
  - Regenerate / check NOx at the push of a button
• exhaust flap
  - Engine sound can be changed (manual control of the exhaust flap)
• Transmission reset
  - Reset automatic transmission (e.g. to relearn the car)
• Battery registration
  - register the battery yourself (save costs for the workshop)
• Diesel particulate filter regeneration
  - Regenerate particle filters at the push of a button
• Electric parking brake
  - Control electromechanical parking brake at the push of a button

cost and availability

• 1. How much does the Carly app cost? Depending on the version, you pay between €21 and €80 annually. The right one OBD-2 adapter You can get it for €59,90 directly on the official Carly website.
• 2. Is the Carly app free? The app itself is free Apple App Store and active in Google Play available. However, to use it fully, you need to purchase the Bluetooth adapter, which costs €59,90.

Functionality and application

• 3. What can the Carly app do? The Carly app, in conjunction with a Bluetooth adapter, enables detailed Diagnosis of your vehicle. Particularly useful: Manipulated mileage can be uncovered.
• 4. Can you read errors with Carly? Yes, with the Carly adapter, in combination with a smartphone and the associated app, it is possible Read and delete error memory.
• 5. Which cars can you code with Carly? With Carly you can drive vehicles from the brands BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda and Mini individualize and code.
• 6. Can you reset adaptation values ​​with Carly? Yes, for example with the N47 engine, you can use Carly Reset the adaptation values ​​of the motor.

Security and legality

• 7. Is Carly allowed? Coding with Carly is completely legal and does not result in any legal consequences.
• 8. Can you destroy something with Carly? No, coding using Carly cannot harm your car. It is safe to use.
• 9. Which adapter is required for the Carly app? The Carly universal adapter is suitable for both iOS and Android systems and can be used for various vehicle brands such as BMW, Audi, VW or Porsche.

Contract details

• 10. Can you cancel Carly on a monthly basis? Yes, contracts concluded since March 1, 2022 can expire after the end of the contract term canceled monthly .

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