how can I find the OBD port in my car?

[nageov3t]

specifically, a 2003 mazda protege5.

I just got this thing from progressive for my new insurance that I have to plug into it, but I'll be damned if I can find it. owners manual and google are no help

 

[PottedMeat]

if you sit in the driver's seat, try looking by your right knee under the console.

is that tripsense?

 

[Ronstang]

Why does an insurance company need you to plug ANYTHING into your OBDII port?? Does it stay plugged in all the time?

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Why does an insurance company need you to plug ANYTHING into your OBDII port?? Does it stay plugged in all the time?

yeah.

progressive has an optional service that I signed up for to save money with. it monitors your driving and adjusts your insurance for safe driving / how little you drive.

 

[joesmoke]

sounds like something they would use to try and stiff you if you make an expensive claim.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Why does an insurance company need you to plug ANYTHING into your OBDII port?? Does it stay plugged in all the time?

yeah.

progressive has an optional service that I signed up for to save money with. it monitors your driving and adjusts your insurance for safe driving / how little you drive.

Ugh--I've heard of this. Does your insurance rate go up later if the device shows unsafe driving?

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Why does an insurance company need you to plug ANYTHING into your OBDII port?? Does it stay plugged in all the time?

With progressive you used to be able to get discount rates (20% I think) and a ~$100 check every 6 months. They only do it in certain states.

The Tripsense device records speed, brake usage, and a few other parameters I forgot. When you hook it up to upload data via USB it syncs the date and time. The program lets you view some rudimentary speed and brake data then it uploads that to Progressive. What other data it records and sends, I have no idea. My dad put it in a van he didn't use very often while he used his non-OBD car.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Why does an insurance company need you to plug ANYTHING into your OBDII port?? Does it stay plugged in all the time?

With progressive you used to be able to get discount rates (20% I think) and a ~$100 check every 6 months. They only do it in certain states.

The Tripsense device records speed, brake usage, and a few other parameters I forgot. When you hook it up to upload data via USB it syncs the date and time. The program lets you view some rudimentary speed and brake data then it uploads that to Progressive. What other data it records and sends, I have no idea. My dad put it in a van he didn't use very often while he used his non-OBD car.

Fuck that. I would pay a few dollars more.

 

[thescreensavers]

I would never have that lol. So you got to drive like a granny from now on! haha

 

[slag]

according to obdii specifications, it is supposed to be within three feet of the driver, however, that gives a lot of leeway. Like it was stated earlier, it should be around your right knee in that general vicinity under the dash area.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: thescreensavers
I would never have that lol. So you got to drive like a granny from now on! haha

it's how I drive anyways

mostly, I'm hoping to take advantage of the fact that I don't drive to work.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It comes right after the OBC port.

 

[TonyH]

You should find it on the lower left side of the dash. Look just under the bottom edge of the dash near the left door pillar.

 

[sjwaste]

Haha, oops, my car doesn't have an OBD port. I'd consider this because I drive so infrequently, too.

However, being able to pull engine codes with a paperclip jumping two points on the diag terminal is useful.

 

[ChaosDivine]

There are better uses for the port, like an SCT XCal3 or LiveWire

 

[DivideBYZero]

Fuck that.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: ChaosDivine
There are better uses for the port, like an SCT XCal3 or LiveWire

:thumbsup:

EECV + Xcal2 + 10.1" SSD Netbook + SCT Live Link / Advantage = :heart:

What blows is when you have a car that is all electronic but not OBD and isn't setting the MIL, and all you can do is start backprobing the ECU connector on a scope 2 or 4 at a time until you find something unusual

 

[bruceb]

It won't be going into my car. And, if I have a choice I will not buy a car with on board data recorders. Police and insurance companies can access that data after a wreck and determine what you were doing or not doing. Imagine them then not wanting to pay your claims, saying it was all caused by driver negligence.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yeah, who cares if it's your fault! Screw the victim!

Damned if I am paying his bills!

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: loki8481
specifically, a 2003 mazda protege5.

I just got this thing from progressive for my new insurance that I have to plug into it, but I'll be damned if I can find it. owners manual and google are no help

Not near the steering column? Check below dash, in front of and above the gas pedal.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: PottedMeat

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Why does an insurance company need you to plug ANYTHING into your OBDII port?? Does it stay plugged in all the time?

With progressive you used to be able to get discount rates (20% I think) and a ~$100 check every 6 months. They only do it in certain states.

The Tripsense device records speed, brake usage, and a few other parameters I forgot. When you hook it up to upload data via USB it syncs the date and time. The program lets you view some rudimentary speed and brake data then it uploads that to Progressive. What other data it records and sends, I have no idea. My dad put it in a van he didn't use very often while he used his non-OBD car.

Fuck that. I would pay a few dollars more.

+1 Slippery slope to being mandatory...no thanks.

They should be basing your rate on.....your claims and not much else.