DataPlug?

[CarbonGTD]

Picked up my new Golf GTI 230 manual 5dr this week and as part of the handover was given a VW DataPlug (?)  Has anyone else been given one of these/tried it out yet?

Apparently it 'reads out vehicle data and sends it to your smartphone via Blue-tooth.  Easy connection to the OBD2 port underneath the steering wheel'.

I'm not especially tech-savy and it sounds a bit like witchcraft to me :O)

[Watts]

It's Big Brother out to get you, crush it's precociousness with much fury and dispose of the carcass in a distant corner of the land

Or just bin it.

[fredgroves]

NSA tracking device. Wrap it in tinfoil and throw it in a passing dustcart...

[Talk-torque]

Well, I got one free, from my dealer. I really couldn't see anything sus about using it, so plugged it in and set it up on my phone. It gives you some very useful info about each trip you do, including battery charge, fuel level and your parking position. You can also see your route with maximum and average speeds. Once you have recorded a couple of refuels, it will also show your consumption and the trip's fuel cost. There is also a driving style marking system, geared towards economy, which marks high for a gentle touch on the controls.

Which is all well and good. I got used to the app being always on and the trips automatically recorded. Then it just missed a trip altogether. I put it down to a glitch, reset it and carried on, but then the same thing happened again. I was starting to lose patience with it. The final nail in it's coffin came when it hadn't recorded a trip because VW had decided they wanted me to confirm my login details. No message on my phone screen, no red dot on the app icon, nothing until I opened the app to check on the trip that wasn't there! It is now in it's box, waiting for VW to sort it properly.

[Alun]

Well, I got one free, from my dealer. I really couldn't see anything sus about using it, so plugged it in and set it up on my phone. It gives you some very useful info about each trip you do, including battery charge, fuel level and your parking position. You can also see your route with maximum and average speeds. Once you have recorded a couple of refuels, it will also show your consumption and the trip's fuel cost. There is also a driving style marking system, geared towards economy, which marks high for a gentle touch on the controls.

Which is all well and good. I got used to the app being always on and the trips automatically recorded. Then it just missed a trip altogether. I put it down to a glitch, reset it and carried on, but then the same thing happened again. I was starting to lose patience with it. The final nail in it's coffin came when it hadn't recorded a trip because VW had decided they wanted me to confirm my login details. No message on my phone screen, no red dot on the app icon, nothing until I opened the app to check on the trip that wasn't there! It is now in it's box, waiting for VW to sort it properly.

I have had no luck connecting my mobile to the car via USB. I can't hit on a hot-spot signal connection.  Can you help please, cheers!

[BristolBob]

Alun (in South Wales)

I believe the device connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It doesn't need any sort of USB connection, simply download the VW Connect app from Google Play Store, switch on your phone's BT and Bob's your uncle. The idea is that you drive around with your phone in the car with the BT switched on.

I'm not sure why the app insists on accessing your phone's photos, media and files so on that basis I have uninstalled it and binned the device.

IMHO, it's a gimmick intended to provide Volkswagen with marketing data.

[Finglonga]

I'm not sure why the app insists on accessing your phone's photos, media and files so on that basis I have uninstalled it and binned the device.

Photos, media and files access is for changing your profile picture and for if you want to call a dealer to book in for an expensive service or assistance call. Had one since they first came out expecting a phone call every time a service was due but not had any so it has stayed in.

[skippy]

Yes, it is a Bluetooth connection, I got one with our Polo when it was in for service a couple of months ago. It is a novelty I must admit but does provide useful info about max speed, fuel in tank, battery charge etc. as has already been mentioned.

It also gives you scores about driving style etc. I have found it quite easy to score highly in terms of engine speed, braking etc.

[Bengunn]

Was given one of these free by the salesman when I picked up my new GTI in November. Thanked the salesman but said I wouldn't be plugging it in or using it. When car went for 6 week check I discovered the service department has installed a dataplug ( discovered it because they left the empty box in the glove box).
I removed it and phoned the service department to ask why it had been installed without my knowledge or instruction and was promised a call back from the service manager. Had to chase this up as the promised call never materialised and was told they (the dealership service department) had decided to fit them willy nilly to cars in for service.
There seems to be a desperation at my dealership to get you / them to fit the device. 

[Watts]

I still can't see the value to the user, most of the information people have mentioned is already available on the car and if I wanted a constant critique of my driving style I'd get my OH to sit in with me more often Surely there must be more to it, is it just a way to get people to download the VW app?