2012 Kia Rio - Which diagnostic tool is best?

2012 Rio

Hi,

I have recently ordered a new 1.4 diesel Kia Rio and I am hoping to buy preferably a laptop based diagnostic setup that is compatible with this and other EOBD vehicles. Alternatively I would get a standalone unit but PC based is my first choice.
One of the main reasons is that I want to disable the annoying emissions equipment on the car such as the EGR system and the DPF regen cycle. I will also remove the actual filter. OK, before someone jumps down my throat, I am aware of the warranty implications and I am willing to accept them:). I think we can all agree that emissions eqiopment such as EGR and DPF is generally a pain in the hole and is something simply waiting to go wrong - the amount of threads on these faults is huge.
They really hurt you MPG too and tbh, I and many others don't give a fiddlers feck about NOx or particulates:D.

So to get to the point what do the motors boardsies advise as the best all round scan/diag tool. I have been looking at two so far;

1. AutoEnginuity PC scantool: Its a OBD II / EOBD setup but seems more geared to the American car market. It reads EOBD codes straight off and clear MILs but needs an extra software expansion for €50 ish if you want to analyse manufacturer specific codes. Thats €50 per make. I don't think there is a extension for Kia listed for it. It can test systems but it is unclear as to whether it can disable or adjust systems. Its around €350 all in. Here: http://www.autoenginuity.com/

2. G-Scan standalone tool: This is not PC based and has a touch screen. It is geared to Asian brands and some European too. It appears to be able to access most systems and read all codes EOBD and manufacturer specific. It is also available with other cables to read older pre-EOBD vehicles. It is unclear whether is can adjusts/disable or reprogram the ECU. No price is given on the website. It comes from the UK. here: http://www.gscanuk.co.uk/

So, do any of you have experience with any of the above tools or is there any other tool you could reccomend that would meet my requirements. I would like any tool I purchase to be capable of the following;

1. Read EOBD and make specific codes and clear MILs
2. be able to disable/adjust different systems (esp emmissions systems)
3. Be compatible with popular makes, but Kia especially, even if this means needing to get an additional softeare extension
4. needs to be updateable for new models in years to come

and if possible
4. reprogram/reinstall ECU software and key programing.

So in addition to doing my own car, I'd like to have the capability to help friends and family out and maybe make some euros in the process to help make my investment back. I want a versatile, quality tool basically.

Phew. Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for yer advice on this.

Nissan doctor

Basic(cheaper) EOBD tools won't allow you access to manufacturer settings/adjustments like the DPF etc. They will just scan and read generic EOBD codes and data.

You would need a good quality diagnostic tool or a Kia/Hyundai specific one for the features you want.

Up to date diagnostic tools with the features your after are going to cost you well into 4 figures new.

2012 Rio

Yeah ND, on the UK Kia forum someonesuggested the "Hi-Scan Pro" standalone gadget. Great, it does pretty much everything including reprogramming but at 4 figures as you said - 3,200 to be exact. Leave that one be!! http://carmanscan.eu/hi-scanpro/
There is also the Snap On Solus Pro, at €1189. http://www1.snapon.com/diagnostics/us/configurator.htm?systemType=7

However, the autoenginuity I just found there is a Kia extention for a load of funtions so at 249 for the base package plus 149 for the Kia extension it's not too bad really. Can't reprogram ECU though but it can disable some funtions but have to contact them to find out.

Any other good gadets anyone has heard of?

yogimotorsport

I can guarantee you that the solas pro will not let you do any of the things you want
If you remove that particle filter for the DPF how do you propose to stop the ECU from putting the car into limp mode?

Drummerboy08

Why would you spend this money when the vehicle will be covered under manufacturer warranty?

There's no real need for you to go diagnosing anything yourself until that warranty is up imo.

dar83

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Why would you spend this money when the vehicle will be covered under manufacturer warranty?

There's no real need for you to go diagnosing anything yourself until that warranty is up imo.

Exactly. Kia give a 7 year warranty as well these days don't they?

If your main reason is the "reduction" of the MPG figure and running costs (I'm guessing), then maybe spending that much money on a new car should be a bit more of a deciding factor.

2012 Rio

I'm not doing it only to improve MPG but also to improve the reliability. Diesel cars today are absolutely plaugued with ERG and DPF issues. A quick search on here will reveal that fact.
I want to take them out of the picture altogether so that they won't get the chance to cause trouble. There is a body of opinion that ERG actually reduces engine life since you've got all that muck and crud going back into the engine. It fouls the oil in double quick time also compared to a non-erg engine. Ever seen the inside of the manifold of an ERG motor? Usualy choked full of soot.

So a ECU programming tool now seems off the cards due to price, but I think I will still get either the Autoenginuity or G-Scan as they are quite reasonable in price and have good functionality for the Kia.
As regards disabling the Regeneration cycle and the ERG functions in the ECU, I know there are diesel tuning shops about that should be able to "delete" these function.

So that's my plan B. Does anyone know of a good diesel tuning place in south-south east of the country?

Zubeneschamali

2012 Rio wrote: »

The 7 year warranty is only on the Ceed.

You're just pulling our legs, right?

2012 Rio

Sorry my mistake. 7 yr. But such that's not really the case at all. Its' 7years/150000km whichever first. 150000km is nothing, I will have most of that put up in 3 years.

It would only be 7yr for someone doing very little driving like 13000km/yr.

In reality the 7 yr warranty is just a advertising stunt

Drummerboy08

If you go fiddling with a brand new cars ecu and other parts then you risk voicing your warranty too.

Btw, the warranty is 7 years across the kia range

dar83

Surely if you're doing that much mileage, the ERG and especially DPF issues won't affect you much at all? Sounds like you'll be driving the car enough and not in short quick journeys, which is why people tend to get those issues...

EPM

Fair enough you want to remove the DPF and egr - its your choice and it's done quite often too on different cars.

I just can't see the point of doing it while the car is still under warranty. If another component was to fail after this work was done they have plenty of wriggle room.

-Corkie-

Why didnt you buy a petrol car op if you are so worried about all these problems. I have never had any problems with modern diesels.

Personally I think anyone that buys a Kia Rio needs diagnostics not the car.

2012 Rio

As I mentioned, i am fully aware that the warranty could be voided by this work and I am OK with that as Kia's are a very reliable car so I am willing to risk it.
Again for my purposes, it's not a 7 yr warranty, its a 150000km one, which is about 3 years for me.

I didn't want a petrol car as my previous one was petrol and from driving diesels, I just prefer them all round. Better MPG, more solid on the road, nice torquey lugging power rather than highly strung like a petrol. They have a far longer lifespan also compared to petrol motors.

I intend keeping this car for the long haul or until its almost life expired. 10yrs anyway to get my moneys worth out of it. Personally, I can't understand why some splash out replacing cars every 2-3 yrs. Seems like throwing money into a pit when. I mean the car is still alomost new.

I kept my punto for 8 years and clocked up 260,000 miles but I think it's about had it now as its failing frequently. On a 2-3 month basis I am doing repairs over and above normal servicing. Hence the change. The fiats just are not up to the 300k miles plus mark. Quite a soft car, but nice and zippy all the same.

Anyway back to the point, does anyone know of a good diesel tuning place that could delete these functions from the ECU?

-Corkie-

Your best option is to give Joe Power a call. http://www.chippedire.com/vms_list.php?man_id=15&pg_name=Kia

The Rio is not on the list but he will certainly help you..

aidanki

whats the story with Kias, are all parts (engine gearbox etc) exclusive to Kias or are some parts shared with other manufacturers

whats their reliability like, the 7yrs sounds like great peace of mind but in reality are they that good,

I suppose we don't have too many Kia drivers on the forum who are in a position to comment

-Corkie-

aidanki wrote: »

whats the story with Kias, are all parts (engine gearbox etc) exclusive to Kias or are some parts shared with other manufacturers

whats their reliability like, the 7yrs sounds like great peace of mind but in reality are they that good,

I suppose we don't have too many Kia drivers on the forum who are in a position to comment

There was a thread here recently enough about the Ceed and I think out of 15 replies everyone was positive.

testicle

-Corkie- wrote: »

Personally I think anyone that buys a Kia Rio needs diagnostics not the car.

+17 million

Nissan doctor

aidanki wrote: »

whats the story with Kias, are all parts (engine gearbox etc) exclusive to Kias or are some parts shared with other manufacturers

whats their reliability like, the 7yrs sounds like great peace of mind but in reality are they that good,

I suppose we don't have too many Kia drivers on the forum who are in a position to comment

Kia and Hyundai are essentially the same company.

2012 Rio

aidanki wrote: »

whats their reliability like, the 7yrs sounds like great peace of mind but in reality are they that good,

It's only a 7 year warranty if you are doing really low milage. 7 year or 150,000km. I will be putting up alot of kilomerter-age, so the warranty effectively would become a 3 year warranty.
No different from the rest really when you break it down. 7 years - it's just a PR stunt.

Thanks Corkie, I sent Joe Power a e-mail so we'll see what he gets back with.

any others that I should be looking up for this? Anyone know any other good scan/diag tools that are PC/Laptop based?

I guy I was talking to in a motor factor in waterford has been using version 7 (2009ish) of Autoenginuity and said it was a bit limited in what it could do but he subscribed to the
new version 10 and says it's a lot better than the old version.

Personally I think anyone that buys a Kia Rio needs diagnostics not the car.

I guess in the styling department and comfort areas they have been a bit behind the times. Especially the previous version of the rio - it was more like a mid 1990's car that had just hung on. But i think the new partnership with hyundai has brough a welcome change. The new rio is very well equiped and looks very very well i think.

Even so, they were alway good in the reliability tables that are produced by various groups. Here's one example: http://www.reliabilityindex.com/manufacturer and another http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/reliability-survey-2011/258307

The asian manufactureres including kia score very high on every rating table I have checked and the supposedly "premium" european brands consistently have a f*cking chronicly bad rating. Land rover has been the bottom of the pile in more than 1 index. And to think I once entertained the idea of getting a Discovery. Pfffff, f*ck that.

unkel

You spend 50k km per year in your car, you have a decent budget (€16k), you don't car about warranties and you choose a Kia Rio?

Perhaps you are a masochist?

2012 Rio

unkel wrote: »

You spend 50k km per year in your car, you have a decent budget (€16k), you don't car about warranties and you choose a Kia Rio?

Perhaps you are a masochist?

Nah. Masochism never did it for me.

I dunno, I just like small, nippy cars and the Rio is a nice small car that looks and drives well. I just don't like the big yachts of things like S70s and Avensis'eses (or is that Avenses).
Plus it's damn good value and cheap to run. Parts are dirt cheap too if they are ever needed. Most of the likes of VW Audi and such will rob you if you need even a tiny part.

Indeed, there is a thread about some guy "not getting saloons". I'm not into them either. Small an zippy is my bag.

unkel

2012 Rio wrote: »

I just like small, nippy cars and the Rio is a nice small car that looks and drives well.

Why not consider something that is a lot nippier (0-100km/h in 11s) than a Rio (14s)?

That looks better and drives better?

That's cheaper to buy and would use less fuel?

That has an engine with a bit of character and poke and innovation, not an asthmatic diesel tractor?

That has a lot more substance, style and heritage?

Me, I'd get a FIAT 500 twinair...