Hyundai Virtual Guide By Thom Cannell

By Thom Cannell
Senior Editor
Michigan Bureau
The Auto Channel

Don’t you love all the features of your new car? Of course you do, sort of, maybe, well ‘kinda. Be honest, do you know how to connect your phone, use all the features of that fancy navigation system? Or check the oil, or evaluate what’s under those yellow caps beneath the hood?

Along with all the wonderment associated with the telematics (fancy name for the radio/navigation/CD/voice recognition) phenomenon has come “we don’t use it, don’t understand it, can’t figure it out” comments. Hyundai is doing something about it.

Using technology called augmented reality, Hyundai’s Virtual Guide allows you to point your smart phone or tablet at various areas of your car and deliver how-to info on repair, maintenance, and vehicle features. Beginning with the 2016 Sonata there will be 45 features explained with text and video, 82 how-to videos, and six 3D images that will overlay what the camera displays (it’s how virtual reality works) of your engine bay or dashboard. There are, for now, over 50 information guides.

Here’s how it works. Download the app from iTunes or Android Marketplace and point the screen towards your engine bay or dash. Cross hairs appear to guide the system, and up pop tabs to tell you Oil, Air Filter, Windscreen Washer or Volume Control, Cruise Control, etc. Tapping on one of them shows an action, for instance how to change the cabin air filter or add washer fluid or oil, or to use the telematics. Some are animations or videos.

Pictures will work better than words.

Easy enough to understand, here’s things you should check weekly or have checked for you. OK, every two weeks except for the washer fluid.

These items are important to understand. Likely you’ll never add brake fluid, but you might check its level every six months according to the owner’s manual. Fuses, yes, you need to know where they are in case interior lights or the navigation system suddenly goes dead as there’s always hope it is only a fuse (but if it the fuse blows immediately, take it to the dealer). The air filter is changed annually and there is a video of how to do it yourself, a potential saving of $80 or more.

A still photo from the movie. Open the box, pull the filter out, insert the new. Very easy, very money saving.

If you’re wondering what the steering wheel controls are, Hyundai’s Virtual Guide will explain.

Other controls are explained and video explanation that’s right on your phone or table will help you remember or teach a new driver what they are and how to use these important, but often hard to learn, features.

While Hyundai is first with a virtual reality app, we’re sure others will follow, and very soon. Hyundai itself will add other models to the app starting this year.