http://hobdrive.com
sales@hobdrive.com

User’s Manual

HobDrive is a software complex working with your vehicle via standard OBD-II adapter and giving you the functionality of a powerful trip computer on your mobile device (WindowsCE/Mobile) or Car PC (XP/Vista/7).

Content

User’s Manual 1

HobDrive Features 1

Interface basics 2

Before start 3

HobDrive Usage 9

Customization of the sensors 20

Vehicle calibration 21

Beta-functionality 22

Typical Issues 22

Hardware requirements 22

Optional requirements 23

Installation and setup requirements 23

HobDrive Features



Interface basics










HobDrive is controlled by tapping the touch-screen elements and screen controls or by touching and scrolling (panning) the elements for browsing and accessing the information outside of the current screen.

You may change the four main screens with different actions:



Tapping on the “Screen” tap button gives you access to the extra controls:


These are:

Before start

Connect your vehicle

The very first thing you must do after installing hobDrive is setting it up to find and link with your OBD-II ELM adapter and vehicle.

During the first run hobDrive will ask you to choose ELM adapter’s serial port or Bluetooth address (in case of Bluetooth ELM).

You may always open this screen later by going Screens Settings OBD Port Settings.




For USB-ELM OBD-II adapter you have to find and select the COM port number it is attached to.

For Bluetooth-ELM adapter you have to choose its name from the list. PIN code screen is used for entering PIN code for adapter link (found in adapter documentation).

After you choose the correct device to connect and press the OK button, the status should change to Yellow (the hobDrive link information should show the status string INIT – initialization), followed by Green OK signal indicating successful hobDrive connection.

Red indicator and ERROR message means you have adapter or car connection problems. See the Typical Issues section of the Manual.

Bluetooth “fail” status may mean that your device does not support full Bluetooth stack required by hobDrive, or that you did not enable BT stack (you need to enable it manually in the system manager).

Some devices with widcomm stack require you to link the smartphone/navigator to the ELM adapter prior to linking hobDrive to the ELM adapter from the hobDrive configuration dialog.

The additional parameter “ELM Connection Delay” is used for problem ELM adapters which can not operate at high speeds and often "break off" the connection. Please find optimal link interruption timing.

Settings” Screen

After successful connection you may configure extra parameters by activating the Settings screen. This gives you the access to the following screens: “OBD Port Settings”, “Vehicle Settings”, “System Settings”, “Network”, “Theme”, “Language”, “Units”, “About”.

“Vehicle” Screen


This screen allows to you choose a specific type of vehicle to work with.

  1. MAF Sensor: This is the default case, suitable for most gasoline vehicles. Fuel calculation is done via MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor.

  2. MAP Sensor: Fuel calculation is done using MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor. This method requires calibration (see Vehicle calibration)

  3. Injector Sensor: Fuel calculation is based on a injector timing sensor, available in many Toyota and toyota-derived vehicles (scion, lexus, etc). This method requires calibration (see Vehicle calibration).

  4. EngineLoad sensor: Fuel calculation is based on engine load sensor. Provides rough approximation, used mainly for diesel engines. This method requires calibration (see Vehicle calibration.



If you are unsure which method is best for your vehicle, start one-by-one from the top of the list and monitor the “Liters per Hour” sensor in out-of-gear mode.

If you own Toyota car and «Injector Sensor» option does show fuel consumption, this method is preferable.

Each option has its own calibration parameters. Empty fields mean default values, which must be calibrated for more precise calculation (see Vehicle calibration section for details).

All other parameters are optional and could be used to tuneup the hobDrive operation:

System Settings screen

This screen allows to change system hobDrive options. Touch any option label to get a detailed explanation of what this option does.

Any change requires restart of the hobDrive.

Network screen

Setting up automatic software update options.

If on, hobDrive will check for updates once a week (depending on the license). You may disable this and perform only manual checks.

Theme screen

Visual theme selection screen.


Themes are split into groups for day and night driving. Day/night switching is automatic, and pre-defined (by default – 7am and 8pm).

Light themes are preferable for bright sunny day and reduce light glares, also improving the readability of the screen.

Dark themes are better to use at night.

During long night rides it is recommended to enable HUD mode with a dark theme, since in this mode the brightness is minimal and your eyes are better adopted to road conditions.

On changing the theme a small hobDrive delay is possible.

Language screen

In this section you may choose the interface language.

When changing, a small delay is possible.

Units screen

Here you may choose to work either with European or US imperial units.



HobDrive Usage

General screen


Screen with common vehicle sensors.

All sensors are read sequentially, reading speed depends on the performance of your ELM adapter and target device. Delay of 1-2 seconds is often normal.

All OBD2 sensor values are transferred from ECU (Engine Control Unit) to the hobDrive. They may not be absolutely correct, some may even be entirely incorrect. This is not hobDrive's limitation but rather particular features of your vehicle's ECU.

Different hobDrive sensors have different update interval. For instance RPM updated most often, while antifreeze temperature sensor normally updated once every 10 seconds.

Detailed sensors description:



Trip Computer screen




The screen gives you the key values on your current trip or other selected time interval, enabling evaluation of overall trip efficiency and cost, as well as instant consumption values. Most of the parameters are displayed for the currently selected time interval (current trip by default).



On pressing the “Trip” tab hobDrive gives you a selection of possible tracking intervals. After the new selection all sensors will change their values to reflect the data stored for the new interval.




Available trip intervals:



Fuel Details screen


This screen gives you detailed information on fuel consumption.

Displayed values include:


Green-shaded sensors may be tuned up for extra precision.

Pressing the price sensor will open screen with current fuel price per liter and currency selector.

Fuel Details screen




This screen gives you detailed information on fuel in tank.

Estimated level of fuel and fuel volume are calculated using the entered information on fueling and consumption data.


Pressing one of the fuel level sensors opens up a calibration dialog for fuel tank. On first program usage you must enter the volume of your tank, and (approximate) volume of already consumed fuel.

From here on, hobDrive automatically compute fuel volume. To keep the calculations correct you must record the fueling data. On every fueling you must enter a new fueling record by choosing “Trip” → “New fueling ”. In the dialog box you should enter:

The hobDrive uses these records to give you stats on fueling cost per station, total cost of vehicle ownership, total cost per kilometer, etc.

This screen also shows the estimated mileage the car will run on the remaining fuel and the time left for continuous movement of the car on the remaining fuel.

The "Next fuel station" parameter estimates approximate time till the next filling. The assessment is calculated using weekly consumption average and the current fuel level.

The Maximum Temperature and Maximum Speed parameters keep the data of maximum respective value.

The Average Speed parameter is calculated for the currently selected time interval, taking into account all idling time.

Extra screens

Beside the described above key parameters, hobDrive provides a number of optional screens for more detailed fine-tuning.

To activate these, choose Screens tab and then select the required screen:




Fueling and Events Screen




The screen is used for the analysis of information on filling stations and hobDrive-stored events.

Data on filling stations and maintenance records are entered in the appropriate screens activated from the "Trip" tab:




The table shows the following fields:

The last displayed entry is a line with totals: the total mileage, the total amount of money spent, the total fuel consumption per gas station.

Diagnostics screen

This screen gives you a MIL code reading functionality.

Upon activation it reads and describes the Check Engine codes:


Active error codes need immediate attention and diagnostics.

Pending error codes are potential errors that may trigger at a later point.

Tapping Clear DTCs button will reset all the current DTC codes. Prior to deletion please make sure you don't need this information anymore as deleting the codes will remove the “Freeze Frame” data, which could be useful in diagnostics during car servicing.

Please be aware that deleting the error from the list does not solve the problem itself, therefore the error will probably reappear later.

On some vehicles for complete reset of error codes you should restart the car ignition.

HUD Mode


HUD mode is a special layout to be used with windscreen projection.

You may activate the mirrored HUD mode by pressing the HUD button.

This mode disables all extra control elements and theme elements.


If you place the you smartphone or navigation unit on a panel, it'll reflect the data to the windscreen, enabling you to read all the data reflected.

This mode provides enhanced comfort on long night journeys, since even with the night themes the display is usually very bright in the darkness, which distracts the eye from the road.

On many cars, simple reflection on the windscreen would "double" or even "triple" the image, but eyes adapt very fast; the blurred background provides a comfortable perception of information, without distracting the driver.

To return back, click the Back button.


Fuel Trims screen

STFT and LTFT fuel trims are the parameters that define engine efficiency in using the air-fuel mix.

For old or unclean engines their absolute value may be high (20per cent and more). This could trigger error codes.

Fuel trims within several per cent margin indicate normal engine operation.



More Sensors screen

This screen gives you some detailed sensors which could be of interest to professional servicing teams.










Lambda Sensors screen

Shows the readings of oxygen sensors (depending on the car less than four values are possible).










Toyota Sensors screen

Screen with Toyota specific sensors.












Sensor List screen

Screen with all available sensors and their descriptions. Tapping any of the sensors will activate it's reading. Tap once again to deactivate the sensor.







Zero to 60 miles


This screen used to measure vehicle efficiency in 0-100 km/h acceleration.
The measurement starts automatically when you start driving.
Depending on the refresh rate of movement sensors, the end result may not be entirely accurate.



Quarter Time


Measuring the time needed for passing quarter-mile distance (402 m).



Break time


The measurement of braking time and distance at a certain speed. Helps to estimate the efficiency of the braking system, and to experiment with braking styles in dangerous road conditions.

Customization of the sensors

Calibration mode is activated via «Screens»«Settings»«Edit sensors layout».

After activation, pressing any sensor on any screen will get you a configuration dialogue.

The dialogue mode is used for setting the widget type (text, bar graph, circular graph, chart) and its various parameters.

Each parameter has a description which can be activated by pressing the parameter label (left). Typical parameter values can be either selected from drop-down lists or entered manually.

Vehicle calibration

Calibration is required for more precise MPG calculation.

Calibration for «MAF Sensor»

Calibration for «MAP Sensor»

Calibration for «Injector Sensor»

Calibration for «EngineLoad Sensor»

Beta-functionality

Part of the hobDrive functionality is still in active development and is being tested. You can experiment with it (we give no guarantees whatsoever).

Logging the sensor data to the file.
Set up via «user.track» file.
The contents of the file can be exported from the default configuration - «default.track» file.

The file lists the sensors used to record data. By default, only cumulative sensors data is recorded.

Data is written to the "track" folder in binary format and can be converted to Excel spreadsheets with «track2csv.exe» utility found here:
https://github.com/cail/hobd/raw/master/lib/Track2CSV.exe

Typical Issues

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Hardware requirements

Optional requirements

Installation and setup requirements

Installation to Windows Mobile/CE systems

The application requires netcf3.5 environment; if it is not on your smartphone, you can install it yourself (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=e3821449-3c6b-42f1-9fd9-0041345b3385&displaylang=en).

Alternatively you can use a special 'standalone' hobDrive distribution. This version is distributed as a ZIP file, and includes a pre-installed software environment. All you need to do is unzip the archive onto your memory card.

Installation on PNA (GPS navigators) and 2din car audio systems

For installation onto built-in WinCE devices, your device OS must be able to run external applications from a memory card. Unpack the HobDrive to the memory card and use the OS to specify the path to the executable file hobdrive.exe

In many operating systems this function is called «navigation software path» or similar.

Information on setting up and linking ELM adapter is accessible in “Help” section of the site: http://hobdrive.com/faq

PC installation (carputer, car pc)

The latest version of the .Net framework is the only requirement for hobDrive installation to the PC (carputer, touchpad, etc.). The most recent Windows OS (Vista / Windows 7) have it installed by default.

The serial port is required to connect the USB/COM-based OBD-II adapter.

Since hobDrive can work with Bluetooth devices directly, setting up Bluetooth communication via virtual COM port is not required.





1Depends on a license

2Not available – in closed testing

3Not available – in development