Installation Manual
Complete guide to install and configure your CarAlgo Dongle with ease
Prerequisites
- Vehicle equipped with an OBD-II port
- Battery in good condition
- Engine off when connecting the Dongle
- CarAlgo application
- Bluetooth enabled
- Stable internet connection
Warnings and safety instructions
Read these instructions before installing and using the CarAlgo Dongle, and keep this manual.
- Carry out installation and setup with the vehicle stationary, in a safe place, with the parking brake applied.
- Do not handle the Dongle or the app while driving. Set up the app before starting your trip.
- When a step requires the engine to be running, do it in a properly ventilated place, never in an enclosed space.
- Check that the Dongle does not obstruct the pedals, the controls or the driver's movements. Do not force it into the OBD-II port.
- Do not use the device if its housing or connector is damaged. Do not open or modify the product.
- Diagnostic data does not replace an inspection by an automotive professional. Never ignore the vehicle's warning lights.
Operating limits
- Power supply: 5 V to 18 V DC through the OBD-II port (12 V vehicles). Do not plug the Dongle into a 24 V circuit.
- Operating temperature: -45 °C to +85 °C.
- Keep the Dongle away from water and liquids, and do not clean it with a liquid product.
- The Dongle is designed to stay plugged in: once the vehicle is switched off, it automatically enters sleep mode (consumption below 1 mA).
Installation steps
Locate the OBD-II port
The OBD-II port is usually located under the dashboard, on the driver's side. It may be hidden by a cover or cap.
Check the location guide on our website to find the exact port location for your vehicle.
Connect the CarAlgo Dongle
Gently insert the CarAlgo Dongle into the OBD-II port. Make sure it's firmly inserted and doesn't move.
Indicator : Turn on the ignition and check that the blue LED blinks: the Dongle is powered and ready to be connected to the smartphone.
- • If the blue LED blinks: the Dongle is not connected to the smartphone
- • If the blue LED is continuously on: the Dongle is connected to the smartphone
App installation and account activation
App installation
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- 1. Click the App Store button above to download the app
- 2. Or open the App Store and search for "CarAlgo"
- 3. Tap "Get" then "Install"
- 4. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or your password
Android
- 1. Click the Google Play button above to download the app
- 2. Or open Google Play Store and search for "CarAlgo"
- 3. Tap "Install"
- 4. Sign in to your Google account if necessary
Activating your account
Your CarAlgo account is created automatically when you buy. All that's left is to activate it from the email we send you:
- 1. After your purchase, you receive an "Activate your CarAlgo account" email at the address used for the order
- 2. Click the activation link in that email
- 3. Choose your password (8 characters minimum), confirm it and submit
- 4. Your account is active and your Dongle is already linked to it: no serial number to enter
Didn't receive this email (purchase from a reseller, wrong address…)? Write to support@caralgo.com with the serial number printed on the Dongle's label and the email address to use for your account.
Log in to your account in the app
- 1. Open the CarAlgo app
- 2. Enter the email address used for your order and the password you chose during activation
- 3. Check "Remember me" to make future logins easier
- 4. Sign in
Initial setup and permissions
The app will request several permissions necessary for it to work properly:
Enable Bluetooth in your smartphone's settings.
1. Location access while the app is active
Needed to locate the vehicle's position. You can disable it at any time using private mode.
2. Location access while the app is inactive
Lets the vehicle be located even when the app isn't active. If private mode is enabled, the app cannot access location.
3. Search for Bluetooth devices
The app uses Bluetooth to connect to the Dongle and collect vehicle data.
4. Push notifications for driving alerts
Needed to receive notifications about events related to your vehicle.
Events notified by CarAlgo
• Fuel refill detection
• Vehicle shock detection while parked
• Engine fault detection
• Low battery alert
• Battery replacement alert
• Technical inspection alert
• Maintenance due alert
• Fuel overconsumption detection
Add your vehicle
Dongle-Vehicle-Account link
Once logged into your account, click "Add Vehicle".
1. In the app, click "Add a vehicle"
Open the app and navigate to the vehicle-addition section.
2. Check that the Dongle LED is blinking
Before clicking "Continue", check that the Dongle LED is blinking blue.
3. Start the vehicle's engine
Start the engine so the Dongle can connect and read the vehicle's data.
4. Press "Continue"
This starts the automatic configuration of your vehicle.
5. Smartphone-Dongle-Vehicle connection
The system automatically performs the connections:
- • Searching for the Dongle
- • Connecting to the Dongle, blue LED continuously on
- • Reading and verifying the Dongle's serial number
- • Verifying CAN communication
- • Connecting the Dongle to the vehicle
6. The vehicle is added automatically
- • Press "Start" to begin collecting vehicle data
- • Automatic reading of the vehicle identification number (VIN)
- • Display of the detected VIN (17 characters)
- • Vehicle lookup in the national vehicle database
- • Automatic retrieval of the registration document and vehicle identification
- • Retrieval of the configuration file (Dataset) and injection into the Dongle
- • Reading and display of battery voltage and usage data
7. Configuration successful
Go to the home page to view your vehicle's dashboard.
Success: Your vehicle is now linked to your account and starts collecting data.
First calibration trip
The first trip of at least 10-15 minutes will let the system automatically calibrate the sensors.
Troubleshooting
Common problems
Your first account access is denied
Check that you activated your account from the email received after your purchase, and that you are using the email address of your order with the password chosen during activation. If the activation link has expired, request a new one from the activation page.
The blue LED doesn't light up
Check that the Dongle is properly inserted into the OBD port.
No Bluetooth connection
Check in your smartphone's settings that Bluetooth is enabled.
My vehicle isn't identified
Check that the engine is running and try again. If the problem persists, contact CarAlgo support.
Technical support
If you run into difficulties, our technical team is here to help.
Email : support@caralgo.com
Before contacting support
Check the FAQ first — you might already find your answer there.
View the FAQProduct identification and manufacturer
- Brand
- CARALGO
- Designation
- CarAlgo BLE — Bluetooth OBD-II Dongle (BLE 5.0, 2.4 GHz)
- Serial number
- Printed on the Dongle's nameplate
- Compliance
- CE (European Union), UKCA (United Kingdom), E-Mark approval no. E13-10R-0515443
- Manufacturer
- SMARTO SAS, 10 rue Jacques Daguerre, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison, France
- EU responsible person
- The manufacturer, SMARTO SAS, is established in the European Union (France)
- Contact
- contact@caralgo.com — support@caralgo.com — +33 1 58 47 03 43
- Manual
- Version 2.0 — October 2026