FAQ

The main concept of the app is to recreate the same sound environment that is audible inside these same vehicles. The sound is to be played inside the vehicle through the speakers.

1.2 What are the platforms on which it is available?

Currently only for Android™.

We do not have release estimates for any other platforms.

1.3 What engine sounds are available?

In the Potenza Drive app you can find all kinds of different powerful car sounds.

We aim to have in our portfolio sounds of all types of engines: Inline-4, Inline-5, Inline-6, V6, V8, V10 and V12.

Our commitment is to add new car sounds as we manage to make new recordings.

1.4 How are car sounds recorded?

The Potenza Drive app simulates powerful car sounds that you would hear inside those same vehicles.

Sounds are recorded inside the cabin of powerful cars to reproduce the same environment.

The best recording techniques are used to capture the accoustic pressure (vibrations) that are unique to each vehicle. This is due to the movement of mechanical parts that generate vibrations in the particles in the vehicle structure.

A good sound system is absolutely necessary to be able to replicate those same vibes.

1.5 What do I need to do to use the app?

Using the Potenza Drive app doesn't require much knowledge, we have tried to make it as intuitive as possible.

First, you need to place an OBD-II adapter (see section 3.1) in the vehicle, and then connect your mobile device (smartphone, tablet or automitive head-unit) via AUX cable (recommended method) or Bluetooth (A2DP) (see section 5.1) to the vehicle's sound system (see section 5.2).

Next, it is recommended to start the vehicle's engine so that the OBD-II adapter is powered and can access the vehicle's communication network from where the vehicle information will be read.

Now it is necessary to ensure that the OBD-II adapter is detected by the mobile device, and for this it is necessary to pay attention to the type of connectivity of the adapter (see section 3.6), which can be Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or USB.

Once everything is ready, just open the Potenza Drive app to identify which type of OBD-II adapter will be used.

In the Potenza Drive app go to SETTINGS < OBD-II ADAPTER.

To configure the adapter follow the instructions given in the app (this step may only be performed the first time you use the app). Here you will be given the following options:

• Bluetooth

• Wi-Fi

• USB

Now that the adapter is set to be used by the app, it's time to access the car sounds.

In the Potenza Drive app, go to MY GARAGE.

From here you'll have access to a set of vehicles with sounds of different characteristics. Select the one that you prefer.

You will now see the ENGINE START/STOP button in white color. You will only have to click it and wait for the app to identify and synchronize the communication with the adapter, during this time the button will have an animation with white and yellow colors. If all is well, the button changes its color to red.

The sound is immediately played on your vehicle's speakers. Adjust the volume of both the mobile device and the vehicle's sound system until you find the point you like.

1.6 How to adjust the RPM for my car?

Adjusting the generated sounds with the noise produced by your vehicle is possible, and something we recommend doing. By setting an RPM limit in the Potenza Drive app, the sounds are scaled according to the vehicle's engine.

For example, if you have a vehicle with a gasoline (or petrol) engine where the maximum RPM of your engine is 8000 RPM, this value should be entered in the app. Likewise, if you have a vehicle with a diesel engine where the maximum RPM of your engine is 5500 RPM, you will have to do the same.

Please remark to your vehicle's instrument cluster. On the engine RPM gauge you should see the limit, also known as the RPM redline. This is the value you should enter in the app.

In the Potenza Drive app go to TUNE < RPM < RPM REDLINE.

1.7 What are Pop & Bang sounds? How to use them?

The Potenza Drive app includes Pop & Bang sounds that can be heard along with the car sounds.

This is a phenomenon generated by the combustion of fuel and unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust line. This translates into an explosion that is audible as a bubbling noise, commonly called Pop & Bang.

Usually, this phenomenon happens in high-performance vehicles whenever the accelerator pedal is released after hard acceleration.

These sounds are replicated in the app, and to hear them you'll have to configure the way they are played.

It should be noted that a more aggressive driving style activates these sounds more easily.

In the Potenza Drive app go to TUNE < POP & BANG < DRIVING MODE.

There are 4 driving modes, which will act with less or more dynamism:

• ECO: Operation without sounds.

• COMFORT: Discreet sounds.

• SPORT: Moderate and pronounced sounds.

• RACE: Aggressive sounds.

In the Potenza Drive app go to TUNE < POP & BANG < EXHAUST POSITION.

There are 3 exhaust positions, which allow you to balance the sounds between the left and right audio channels depending on the position of the exhaust according to your vehicle's specifications:

• LEFT

• CENTER

• RIGHT

2. REQUIREMENTS

2.1 What are the requirements?

It is necessary to have a set of devices (we call it system or setup) in order to be able to run the Potenza Drive app. It's not enough just to have the app installed if other devices are not included.

A system consists of:

• Mobile device: This device can be a smartphone, tablet or an automotive head-unit with Android™ operating system (OS).

• OBD-II adapter: An adapter with the ELM327 integrated circuit (chip) or an adapter with a different chip that is compatible with the same commands requested by a genuine ELM327. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or USB communication technology are supported.

• Vehicle: Car with an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and OBD-II port.

• Sound system: Audio receiver capable of AUX input and/or Bluetooth (A2DP). In case of using the AUX input, an AUX cable (also known as 3.5 mm jack) is required.

For more detailed information, see our list of requirements.

2.2 How do I know if my requirements are suitable?

It is difficult to accurately predict whether a system fulfills all the requirements. There are countless possible combinations that make a perfect system or a completely unusable one.

A small detail is all it takes for the whole experience to be compromised. Sometimes, it is necessary to go through a process of trial and error, until the desired system is achieved.

As an end user, you must understand that it is your role to provide the Potenza Drive app with the best devices to assist it in its role.

However, to help you understand the status of your system, we have developed an app called OBD2 Test. The app runs a set of tests that tell us if the system is a good starting point for using the Potenza Drive app.

3. OBD-II ADAPTER

3.1 What is an OBD-II adapter?

On-board diagnostics (OBD) is the term that refers to a vehicle's ability to carry out a self-diagnosis.

The OBD-II adapter is a device used to interface with the OBD-II port (see section 3.2) of a vehicle. It is a hardware device capable of extracting a set of diagnostic information about the status of the vehicle's systems (mechanical, electrical and/or electronic).

The information is then translated by the adapter itself, and then the adapter acts as a bridge, transporting the information to an external device. In this specific scenario, the mobile device will act as the external device. The information is received by him to be used by the Potenza Drive app.

The OBD-II adapter has a 16-pin male connector to connect to the OBD-II port of the vehicle (see section 3.1 and 3.2), where there is specific pinout for each OBD-II protocol (see section 4.1).

3.2 Where does the adapter plug in? And what in a OBD-II port?

The OBD-II adapter must be connected to the vehicle's OBD-II port to take readings from the various systems.

The OBD-II port has a 16-pin female connector for connecting an OBD-II adapter.

3.3 Where is the OBD-II port located?

The location of the OBD-II port is specified by car manufacturers and can be found in the vehicle's user manual.

Normally, this port is located inside the vehicle. It is usually found under the steering column. However, it is also common to find it in the center console of the vehicle, or in the glove compartment.

On some vehicles, the port may be covered by a removable panel or cover.

3.4 Why does the app require an adapter?

In order for the Potenza Drive app to be able to generate car sounds, it needs to have information from the vehicle itself.

During the course of driving, there is a set of movements that are described according to the use of forces, which in turn are represented in parameters. There is a set of dynamic parameters that can be read, such as RPM, speed, engine load, accelerator pedal position, among others.

This information has to be transmitted in real-time or as quickly as possible to the mobile device so that it can generate the car sounds in a timely manner. In this way, a different car sound is played for each moment according to the different stages of driving.

It should be noted that with only the sensors available on the mobile device (such as a smartphone, tablet or automotive head-unit), there is no chance to provide such information

3.5 What type of adapter is required?

The OBD-II adapter must meet a set of requirements in order to be used with the Potenza Drive app.

The adapter must have an ELM327 integrated circuit (chip), as it will be the bridge between the vehicle and the external device (smartphone, tablet or automotive head-unit). The ELM327 chip has a specific set of commands that are used by the Potenza Drive app, so the information requested from the ELM327 through instructions must be known by this chip.

There are other chips that can interpret the same commands as an ELM327. However, we advise caution whenever a genuine ELM327 chip is not used (see section 3.8, 3.9, 3.10).

3.6 What connectivity types are supported?

The Potenza Drive ap«ypes of connectivity:

• Bluetooth

• Wi-Fi

• USB

Especially adapters with Bluetooth connectivity, but also with Wi-Fi are the most popular choices as they allow wireless communication with the mobile device.

3.7 Why is the ELM327 chip required?

The Potenza Drive app works exclusively with a set of commands that are specific to an ELM327 integrated circuit (chip).

Only OBD-II adapters that have this chip can communicate with the app. Adapters with other types of chips are also compatible, however they must be able to interpret the same commands.

This chip was chosen as a bridge to communicate with our app for compatibility reasons, as it supports a set of OBD-II protocols (see chapter 4) that are the most widely adopted in the automotive industry.

Its wide availability and affordability allow you to create attractive OBD-II adapter solutions at reasonable prices, without compromising on quality.

This chip was designed to be compact, making it feasible for integration into portable OBD-II adapters.

Available on the market for several years and with a strong focus on development and support, it allowed building a strong ecosystem, with several resources available both in terms of software and hardware.

3.8 How do I know if my adapter has a counterfeit or cloned ELM327 chip?

The ELM327 is an integrated circuit (chip) manufactured by ELM Electronics. It is widely used in OBD-II adapters and allows communication between a vehicle's OBD-II port and an external device.

Due to their popularity and widespread use, counterfeit or cloned versions of the ELM327 adapters have emerged on the market. These counterfeit or cloned adapters are often produced by unauthorized manufacturers and almost never meet the same quality standards as the originals.

These adapters suffer from poor quality as they are built with inferior components and do not have the same level of quality control as a genuine ELM327 chip. This translates into unreliable connections, corruption of information, and in extreme cases damage to vehicle systems. Compatibility issues with certain software and/or apps, and limitations or incompatibility with some OBD-II protocols. Also connections can be slow and/or constantly dropped.

Detecting adapters with counterfeit ELM327 chips can be challenging, as counterfeiters often make efforts to imitate the appearance of genuine products by creating convincing replicas.

However, these adapters can be found both in physical stores and online, and usually have very affordable prices. We emphasize that a quality adapter costs dozens of times more.

Be aware that the adapter is accompanied by a serial number that helps to identify the chip, and official documentation that proves its authenticity. In case of doubt, perform compatibility and functionality tests.

3.9 Are there any better adapters?

We know finding OBD-II adapters with genuine ELM327 chips is a difficult task.

There are adapter manufacturers that create superior quality solutions. We particularly like to recommend OBDLink¹ for the quality of their products. The OBDLink MX+ and OBDLink LX adapters stand out for their ease of use and portability, being solutions that offer high quality.

Although these do not have the ELM327 chip, they do have the STN1100 chip which is a very capable chip. This chip can interpret the same set of commands as an ELM327.

They are great adapters to use with the Potenza Drive app, as they ensure high speeds and communication stability. During our tests, these proved to be the best existing adapters with speeds 3 to 5 times faster than other adapters.

¹ We are not affiliated with OBDLink.

3.10 Are there cheap but good adapters?

There are some affordable OBD-II adapters on the market with counterfeit ELM327 chips, which manage to be of acceptable quality to use with the Potenza Drive app.

Typically these compact adapters feature a transparent blue housing, where you can see the word "ELM327". While visually similar on the outside, they have a superior hardware build quality over other adapters. What sets them apart is the fact that they have the PIC18F25K80 chip.

Furthermore, these adapters come in single or dual board. We recommend paying special attention to this detail, as dual board adapters are generally of better quality.

During our tests, these adapters showed very positive responsiveness.

3.11 Why is adapter quality important?

The Potenza Drive app works with sound, and one of our most sensitive senses is hearing. For the app to be able to generate the sounds in real-time, it needs to be one of the most demanding when it comes to information requests made to the OBD-II adapter.

Compared to the sound that is emitted by a real engine, every millisecond in which the app does not have information will be perceived audibly, through delays or sound distortions. Therefore, communication from an OBD-II adapter is required to be fast and stable.

Unlike many apps, they only need information every 200 ms or 1 second to display some graphics in widgets (like dials) or update some text boxes. On the other hand, the Potenza Drive app needs information every 15 to 70 ms to generate sounds in real-time.

Not all OBD-II adapters have hardware that can handle this speed, resulting in communication failures and speed inconsistencies in acquiring information. Therefore, a quality adapter is important.

3.12 Why is communication speed important?

The Potenza Drive app requires the communication speed with the vehicle to be as fast as possible in order to be able to generate real-time car sounds.

Communication speed refers to the rate at which data (information) is transmitted and received between the vehicle's systems and the OBD-II adapter.

Having as a scenario where an adapter obtains information every 14 ms and another every 160 ms, we are talking about, respectively, more than 70 parameters/second and another 6 parameters/second. That is, the adapter that extracted more information from the vehicle did it 11 times faster, so it manages to generate car sounds more efficiently.

3.13 Why is communication stability important?

The Potenza Drive app requires the stability of the communication with the vehicle to be as consistent and reliable as possible in order to be able to generate real-time car sounds.

Communication stability refers to the uninterrupted flow of data (information) during the communication process between vehicle's systems and the OBD-II adapter.

Having a scenario where an adapter loses information every 2 packets, it will be losing 1/3 of valuable information for the app. The lack of information accuracy makes it difficult to generate real-time car sounds, and will certainly be noticeable audibly.

3.14 Why is the speed still slow if I've tried several adapters?

If you have one or several quality OBD-II adapters, and the speed is still slow, it could mean that the problem is not with the adapter, but with the vehicle's OBD-II protocol (see chapter 4).

This limitation is imposed by the vehicle's communication network which has a set of systems (hardware). This communication respects an OBD-II protocol which can be more or less modern, and therefore the speeds of the network itself will affect the delivery of information to the adapter.

4. OBD-II PROTOCOL

4.1 What is an OBD-II protocol?

On-board diagnostics (OBD) is the term that refers to a vehicle's ability to carry out a self-diagnosis.

This self-diagnosis can be carried out by the vehicle owner or a technician, and allows extracting a set of information about the status of the vehicle's systems (mechanical, electrical and/or electronic) that are part of the vehicle's communication network.

With OBD, it is possible to anticipate and avoid possible damage to the systems, or to understand the cause of the symptoms of possible vehicle malfunctions.

OBD-II is an improvement over OBD-I in its capability and standardization. The OBD-II standard specifies the type of diagnostic connectors (including their pinouts), the electrical signals of each protocol, and the message format and encoding.

There is a common set of monitoring parameters across all protocols called Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). They allow any diagnostic tool to quickly and easily identify possible anomalies in the vehicle.

4.2 What are the supported OBD-II protocols?

The Potenza Drive app supports all OBD-II protocols of the following vehicle communication networks:

• SAE J1850 PWM (41.6 kbaud)

• SAE J1850 PWM (10.4 kbaud)

• ISO 9141-2 (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud)

• ISO 14230-4 KWP (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud)

• ISO 14230-4 KWP (fast init, 10.4 kbaud)

• ISO 15765-4 CAN (11 bit ID, 500 kbaud)

• ISO 15765-4 CAN (29 bit ID, 500 kbaud)

• ISO 15765-4 CAN (11 bit ID, 250 kbaud)

• ISO 15765-4 CAN (29 bit ID, 250 kbaud)

• SAE J1939 CAN (29 bit ID, 250 kbaud)

There are differences in protocols regarding communication speed and stability of connectivity. In particular, the ISO 15765-4 CAN, (see section 4.4) which is the latest protocol and currently implemented by all car manufacturers. The app takes full advantage of it with the help of a high-quality OBD-II adapter.

4.3 How do I know which OBD-II protocol my car has?

To determine which OBD-II protocol your car uses, you can consult the vehicle's owner's manual, and look for the section that addresses the vehicle's diagnostic system. It is also possible to find information about the vehicle protocol through online databases.

The most complex scenario is the possibility of inspecting the vehicle's OBD-II port, as there is a set of pins that are specific to each OBD-II protocol. However, we will not discuss these differences in detail here.

However, for the sake of ease, we recommend using a diagnostic tool, possibly a mobile app. It should be noted that the OBD2 Test app developed by us is able to provide this information.

4.4 Why is ISO 15765-4 CAN the recommended OBD-II protocol?

The ISO 15765-4 CAN is a standard for a vehicle communication network and is the recommended OBD-II protocol for use with the Potenza Drive app due to the additional advantages it brings over other protocols.

This protocol became mandatory for all new vehicles manufactured from 2008 onwards. In other words, it is currently adopted by all car manufacturers.

Compared to other protocols, the most obvious reason is its communication speed, allowing a faster data (information) transmission, which in turn allows a quick diagnosis and real-time monitoring.

It is also more advanced, allowing for improved data transmission between the vehicle's different systems. The exchange of information becomes more effective and reliable.

This protocol has a standardized message format that ensures consistency in the structure and organization of the data, which is easy to interpret by diagnostic and monitoring tools.

4.5 Why is my OBD-II protocol so slow?

There are communication speed differences between the various vehicle communication networks that make up the various OBD-II protocols.

The protocol vehicle communication networks are standardized at the following speeds: 10.4 kbaud, 41.6 kbaud, 250 kbaud and 500 kbaud (see section 4.2).

In particular, the ISO 15765-4 CAN protocol with a speed of 500 kbaud is more than 48 times faster than the ISO 9141-2 protocol or the ISO 14240-4 KWP.

By default, protocols only allow OBD-II adapters to request one parameter at a time. For example, if the adapter asks for RPM and speed parameters, first it will have to request the RPM, wait until it receives this information and only then make a new request about the speed. Therefore, two messages are received.

However, the ISO 15764-4 CAN is a protocol that allows requesting multiple parameters at the same time. Again, if the adapter asks for RPM and speed parameters, it can request it all at once and receive this information in a single message. Therefore, only one message is received.

Another important aspect is that although the OBD-II protocols provide a standardized framework for communication between the vehicle's system and an OBD-II adapter, the implementation of these protocols can vary between different vehicle manufacturers. This variation in implementation can affect the reliability and consistency of data retrieval and diagnostics.

4.6 What other OBD-II protocols are acceptable besides ISO 15765-4 CAN?

The ISO 15765-4 CAN is the recommended protocol when it comes to reaching the full potential from the Potenza Drive app.

However, there are other protocols that can bring some acceptable outcomes if all the other devices involved are of good quality, see our list of requirements.

Among these protocols is the ISO 14230-4 KWP (fast init, 10.4 kbaud), which unlike the ISO 14230-4 KWP (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud) has stronger communication stability and provides more stable communication speed.

Note that audio delay is expected, but the experience can be enjoyable.

4.7 Which OBD-II protocols are not recommended?

Unfortunately, not all OBD-II protocols are worthy of use with the Potenza Drive app.

Its low speed and poor reliability determine the failure to generate car sounds in real-time. Often, there are frequent communication failures or even the impossibility of initiating communication.

For example, these protocols are old implementations dating back to the year 1989, as is the case with the ISO 9141-2 (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud) protocol.

The ISO 14230-4 KWP (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud) protocol, although superior to the previously mentioned, also demonstrates some communication and speed issues.

Regarding the SAE J1850 PWM (10.4 kbaud) and SAE J1850 PWM (41.6 kbaud) protocols, we do not have enough data to support the capabilities of this type of protocol.

5. AUDIO

5.1 Why is AUX cable recommended over Bluetooth (A2DP) or Android Auto?

Due to the specifics of the Potenza Drive app, it is recommended to use an AUX cable (also known as 3.5 mm jack) for audio connection instead of Bluetooth (A2DP) or Android Auto.

It is important to emphasize that audio quality is one of the most important components of this app, as it is intended to recreate all the sounds (in their frequency ranges) that were recorded from powerful cars.

Therefore, direct wired connection using an AUX cable or Android Auto (via USB) offers better audio quality compared to Bluetooth (A2DP). Bluetooth audio transmission uses audio codecs that apply compression to the audio signal and loss of audio fidelity, resulting in lower audio quality. With an AUX cable or Android Auto, the audio signal is transmitted without any loss or compression, resulting in a more accurate representation of the original audio.

Also through Android Auto, although the audio quality is preserved, there is the presence of audio latency as there are processes taking place in parallel for Android Auto to work.

Also very important for users of this app is the ability for the car sounds to be played while your driving style changes, such as sudden acceleration. Therefore, Bluetooth audio transmission may experience a delay known as latency. This is because by using audio codecs, it is adding processing time. This delay may not be noticeable when playing music, but it is crucial that it is synchronized when it comes to video or a game (synchronizing audio with the image), or even our app (synchronizing the real engine sound with the car sounds generated by the app). A similar situation occurs with Android Auto, although the audio quality is preserved as there are no audio codecs, there is the presence of audio delay due to the existence of processes running in parallel so that it is possible to keep Android Auto running. An AUX cable eliminates this latency issue, ensuring real-time audio playback with no noticeable delay.

5.2 Why is the sound system so important?

The Potenza Drive app simulates the same powerful car sounds that you can hear inside these vehicles. In this way, the vehicle's sound system is an extremely important element and one of the most relevant requirements to achieve an unparalleled experience.

Recording techniques were used to capture vibrations (sounds) inside real vehicles (see section 1.3). The idea is to reproduce this same environment inside other vehicles.

While the sound frequencies produced inside a vehicle are in the range of 20-30 Hz to 300 Hz. It is common for powerful cars to have many sounds below the 100 Hz frequency (commonly referred to as bass).

The sound system consisting of amplifier and speakers must have sufficient power. Sound waves are a disturbance caused by the movement of energy through particles in the medium (such as the air around us). This atmospheric pressure is greater the more powerful the sound system, more effectively recreating the vibrations felt inside a powerful car and this brings greater immersion and a sense of reality.

5.3 Why are low frequencies (bass) important?

Low frequencies (bass), unlike high (treble) and medium (mid-tone) frequencies, are the sound waves that require more energy to propagate. Only a powerful sound system will be able to play these frequencies as loud as the sounds were recorded. Such sound systems are only found in some of the so-called premium cars.

Unfortunately, most sound systems are not capable of reproducing these frequencies. Often not because of incapable speakers, but car manufacturers neglect soundproofing and quality insulation.

It is necessary that the sound amplifier has a power of at least 300 W (RMS), and that the speakers have a size greater than or equal to 6.5" - 8". There are car manufacturers that put subwoofers under the seat that are 6.5" to 8", which makes it another level of experience.

If your sound system does not have these characteristics, the volume will be low. This is because the amplifier or speakers (or a combination of both) are not powerful enough to drive low frequency sounds.

Pay close attention, as there are many sound systems that claim to have a lot of power and large speakers, but their acoustics are not very accurate.

For more detailed information, see our list of requirements.

5.4 How can I improve audio quality?

Improving the audio quality is always welcome when you want to use the Potenza Drive app.

As the app is intended to convey the same sense of realism as if you were driving a powerful car, it is imperative that the sound system has this competence.

Here are some tips that can help improve the audio quality:

• AUX cable: By choosing to use an AUX cable (jack 3.5 mm) instead of Bluetooth (A2DP) or Android Auto (see section 5.1), it ensures that the audio quality is higher and the audio transmission is done in real-time.

• Speakers: Normally, this will not be an issue for premium vehicles. However, factory installed speakers by car manufacturers are often of low quality. It is necessary to have speakers with a good response capacity at low frequencies (bass) (see section 5.3), and to handle the sound power required to simulate the same intensity of sound felt inside a powerful car. Good quality speakers sized 6.5" to 8" or larger are capable of fulfilling these needs.

• Speaker enclosure: Sometimes it is not enough to have large sound speakers, if the enclosure or box is insufficient for its capabilities. The design, material and construction of these elements make an abysmal difference in audio quality. The enclosure provides sound insulation, reducing distortion and phase cancelling, resulting in cleaner and more accurate sound reproduction. The low-frequency (bass) response capacity is improved, the enclosure creates a volume of air that acts as a resonator, enhancing the low-frequency (bass) response of the speaker. The design and size of the enclosure impact the bass extension, efficiency, and overall quality of the low-frequency (bass) reproduction. There is improved control of unwanted resonances (vibrations) inside the vehicle's cabin which are eventually reduced with a more refined enclosure design and structure. This allows for more accurate and neutral sound reproduction.

• Amplifier: An amplifier for the vehicle's sound system with a power of 300 W (RMS) or greater can provide more power and better control to the speakers. This results in cleaner and louder audio. A good amplifier has the ability to achieve a more dynamic range of sound frequencies, crisper sound and overall increased audio performance.

• Equalizer (EQ): Adjusting the equalizer of the vehicle's built-in sound system allows you to fine-tune the audio output. Especially when adjusting the low frequencies (bass) you are meeting a sound signature that contributes to a more balanced and pleasing sound.

• Reduce electrical interference: This scenario is especially valid for vehicles where there is no electrical insulation in the vehicle's sound system, affecting the sound that is played. Always use high-quality cables and ensure proper grounding to minimize interference. Additionally, do not use mobile devices (smartphone or tablet) with chargers while using the AUX cable to prevent interference.

5.5 Why is the app sound volume low in my car while other audio sources play louder?

When the audio volume scenario is low, it is almost always caused by two situations:

• Audio Output Gain: This is valid when using AUX cable (jack 3.5 mm). The audio output gain of a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) refers to the amplification or volume levels of an audio signal through the audio output, when using an AUX cable. This gain may vary between mobile devices. Sometimes, even within the brand itself, a model has a gain 3 to 5 times higher. This means that there are mobile devices that will achieve a higher audio volume. Trying out several different mobile devices can help you understand these variations.

• Inappropriate sound system: The sound frequencies played by the Potenza Drive app are mainly in the domain of low frequencies (bass), starting below 300 Hz, and with great predominance below 100 Hz. Sound systems that do not meet the minimum requirements do not have the ability to reproduce low frequencies (bass) (see section 5.2). When a sound system does not have the ability to play low frequencies (bass), the audio will be low. You need large speakers powered by a powerful amplifier (see section 5.3).

Just as a tweeter speaker is not designed to play low frequencies (bass), a subwoofer is not designed to play high frequencies (treble). It all has to do with what the speaker was designed for.

For more detailed information, see our list of requirements.

5.6 Why is the sound volume of other similar apps playing louder in my car?

We want to say right away that the Potenza Drive app should not be compared with other apps of its kind, as they serve a different purpose. The Potenza Drive app intends to simulate the same sound heard inside powerful cars, other apps only try to simulate the sound heard outside.

While there are similar apps that also try to simulate car sounds, these use recording techniques that are very different from those used by us. The sounds are recorded using microphones positioned directly over the engine and/or the exhaust system outlet. Under these conditions these environments are not isolated, all sound frequencies are captured, whether high (treble), medium (mid-tones) and low (bass) frequencies.

The Potenza Drive app uses different recording techniques (see section 1.3), so the microphones are positioned inside the vehicle's cabin. As the interior of vehicles is designed to muffle sounds, high (treble) frequency sounds and medium (mid-tones) are attenuated. That is, this type of sound waves have less energy, and as they propagate through the structure of the vehicle, they are easier to suppress. When car sounds reach the microphone, they are mainly low (bass) frequencies which, due to their nature as sound waves with more energy, can easily pass through the structure of the vehicle. This kind of sound is what the Potenza Drive app is all about (see section 5.3).

Thus, sound systems that are not capable of reproducing these frequencies will naturally play low audio volumes due to the inability of their amplifier to feed the speakers and/or they are of an inadequate size to play low frequencies (bass) (see section 5.2).

For more detailed information, see our list of requirements.

5.7 Why do I have sound delay?

Understand that detecting the cause of sound delay is not always a trivial task. Sometimes it can be obvious to detect the cause, but most of the time it can be challenging to find the device or even the set of devices that are compromising the user experience.

Enumerating all the elements that add sound delay from greater to lesser impact, the list would look like this:

1. Play audio via Bluetooth (A2DP) or Android Auto instead of using AUX cable (jack 3.5 mm) (see section 5.1).

2. Old OBD-II protocol, which is slow and unreliable (see section 4.5).

3. Low quality OBD-II adapter (see section 3.11).

4. Mobile device (smartphone, tablet or automotive head-unit) that does not meet the performance requirements.

For more detailed information, see our list of requirements.

5.8 How can I improve audio delay?

Sometimes it is necessary to make changes to our system to improve the audio delay. However, these changes may not have a significant impact, but mean costs that can be huge.

Therefore, we always recommend starting with those devices that are more accessible. We leave here the classification of devices from the most affordable to the most expensive:

1. OBD-II adapter with a quality chip (see section 3.11).

2. High-performance mobile device (smartphone, tablet or automotive head-unit).

3. A sound system with an audio receiver that allows the use of an AUX cable (jack 3.5 mm) (see section 5.1).

4. A vehicle with ISO 15756-4 CAN as OBD-II protocol (see section 4.4).

This is just a suggestion, as we believe that the order can be changed, as there are devices that by their nature can have very different costs.

For more detailed information, see our list of requirements.

5.9 What if I have all the requirements met but there is still sound delay?

Sometimes we have all the requirements checked: a good OBD-II adapter, the ISO 15765-4 CAN protocol, a powerful sound system and an AUX cable. But there is audio delay.

This may be due to our car's sound system, in particular the audio receiver that uses DSP (Digital Signal Processing) which are responsible for processing audio signals. This is due to their signal manipulation techniques, they can apply a delay due to the use of equalizers (EQ), temporal alignment of all the vehicle's sound speakers, or acoustic corrections due to the impact of reflections or resonances, among others.

5.10 What if my mobile device does not provide an AUX output?

Recently, there has been a situation where a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) does not provide an audio output. Making it impossible to attach an AUX cable (also known as 3.5 mm jack).

In these cases, it is recommended to use a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter.

5.11 What if my car radio does not provide an AUX input?

Due to the fact that mobile devices (smartphone or tablet) abandon the AUX cable as an audio output. Car manufacturers also abandon this interface as an audio input. The alternative was to force the use of Bluetooth (A2DP) or Android Auto technologies, but as previously mentioned (section 5.1), this does not offer advantages for using the Potenza Drive app.

Therefore, it is recommended to use an FM Transmitter device.

This device must have an AUX input to connect an AUX cable from the mobile device. The audio signal is then broadcast via radio on a user-selected "free" FM frequency. The car radio must be tuned to the same frequency.

6. SUPPORT

6.1 How can I contact you?

If you didn't find your question here, you can always contact us with any questions, problems or suggestions you may have.

We will try to respond as quickly as possible, and provide you the most detailed information possible.

Therefore, do not hesitate to contact us at support@potenzadrive.com.

Thank you for trusting us!

The Potenza Drive team