New owner of a 2021 Kona ER (64kWh)

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21KonaER

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Hello EV-ers/
As mentioned, we've just purchased a 2021 Kona 64kWh EV with about 32K kms on the clock. Already loving it after just a few hundred km of driving.
As I've been maintaining and repairing my vehicles for 50-odd (some very odd!) years, I'm keen to continue this as much as I can with the Kona.
So for a start, I'd like to ask the knowledgeable ones here a couple of technical questions:
* Do 'normal' ODBII readers work on the Kona EV? Haven't been game to try it, in case it triggers a major revolt!
* Are service and repair manuals for the Kona EVs available? Had no luck with Google searches but have already seen what looks like a service manual extract in a post by the prolific KiwiMe, on the intricacies of the hydraulic brake system.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
Ian
 
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21KonaER said:
Hello EV-ers/
I'm keen to continue this as much as I can with the Kona.
Click to expand...
The main EV-specific maintenance item that's practical to DIY is the gear oil change. Given that it won't cost much I'd suggest that it's worth doing soon ... and add a Votex or Toyota magnetic drain plug. If you're not exceeding 100 kph (much) you could go for a slightly thicker viscosity than is called out. The next thicker grade than the OEM 70W is 75W-80. That in full synthetic can be obtained by mixing 0.5 l each of 70W-75 and 75W-85, both Penrite GL-4 Pro Gear. I've been using this grade for 10 months now and I wouldn't go back as the car runs quieter and doesn't seem to be any less efficient. But if you're hitting 120+ km/h I'd stick to the Penrite 70W-75 alone.

There's nothing all that useful in the service docs that I've seen regarding maintenance with the exception of the electrical diagrams and component locations. For brake fluid it's a special procedure and I'd suggest either having the dealer do that or just renewing the reservoir fluid alone. It doesn't seem to deteriorate as quickly as in an ICE car.
 
Thank you KiwiME for all the information you have generously shared.
I'd already read several threads about reduction gear issue. (Kind of pleased I hadn't seen these earlier, as it may have scared me off buying the Kona.)
Can anyone direct me to a dedicated thread on how to access the drain and fill plugs please? (I know I can search for it but...)
One thread seemed to describe a confusing method involving ramps, jacking up the rear of the vehicle etc.
Thanks again.
 
21KonaER said:
Thank you KiwiME for all the information you have generously shared.
I'd already read several threads about reduction gear issue. (Kind of pleased I hadn't seen these earlier, as it may have scared me off buying the Kona.)
Can anyone direct me to a dedicated thread on how to access the drain and fill plugs please? (I know I can search for it but...)
One thread seemed to describe a confusing method involving ramps, jacking up the rear of the vehicle etc.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Start here, read the following posts as well as previous ones- good descriptions and pictures.
Note the search function works quite well;)
 
21KonaER said:
Thanks Eeddy!
Click to expand...
index.php


index.php

Once again thanks to @KiwiME
https://www.insideevsforum.com/comm...air-issues-and-fixes.7097/page-24#post-174315
 
21KonaER said:
As I've been maintaining and repairing my vehicles for 50-odd (some very odd!) years...
Click to expand...
It's much like any other gear oil change. I'll assume you have a flat work area and ramps that are rated for 1000+ kg. If you haven't driven the Kona up ramps before you should get someone to help you or use a large mirror so you don't drive off the ends. It's easier if you use your left foot on the foot brake at the same time as the right foot on the accelerator.

Once up, go into N with the car still 'on', let the foot brake off carefully to let the car settle on the ramp, secure the parking brake then lastly switch off (which applies the parking pawl).

Remove the front underside cover with a 10mm socket (long type or with extension) and a small flat-blade screwdriver.

The gear reducer plugs need a 24mm socket on that year and you can reuse the aluminium gaskets. I'd suggest not removing the fill plug before draining the oil but it's fine to loosen it. Once the 1 litre of oil is drained feed a length (1m max) of 15mm OD (max) vinyl tube into the filler opening as far as it will go and tie that up near the 12V battery. You'll also need to insert a narrow funnel into the top end.

With the drain plug back in place, back the car off the ramps so that it's about level. It's not going to hurt anything to drive it that short distance and don't be alarmed if you hear a 'clunk' when the parking pawl retracts. If you can, arrange your workspace to have the passenger side of the car slightly higher once you're back on the ground. Otherwise use a trolley jack to lift it few centimeters to avoid any oil from spilling out of the filler opening. Jacking points are at each end of each rocker panel ('pinch-weld' here in NZ, not sure of the Aussie term) each marked with two notches.

Pour in a carefully-measured 1.05 litre of new oil via the funnel. Then pull the tube out and re-insert the filler plug finger-tight from above.

Drive back up the ramps, torque the plugs to 30-33 ln-ft, clean (if needed) and re-install the plastic underside cover.
 
Hi all,
Yes, KiwiME's (and others) information is very much appreciated.
Would I be correct in thinking that apart from the drive train and the brake hydraulics, most of the other vehicle systems will be very similar to the ICE models of the same year? Thinking suspension, steering, brake discs and calipers, even the 12V electrics?
And so, a Service/Workshop Manual for the 2021 ICE models would still have lots of useful information?
Or do you need to say, "tell 'im, he's dreamin'!"
Cheers.
 
21KonaER said:
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for your knowledgeable replys. Re. the quote below, I've installed the ELM app. But, looking on eBay, there are more supposedly ELM327 devices than you can point a forked stick at. Can you tell me how to identify the genuine article please?
Really appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
From the Car Scanner "choosing adapter" section (further down the page), this one works fine for me:

"Vgate iCar Pro BLE (#ad link) – This adapter has Bluetooth 2.0 + Bluetooth 4.0 chip, so it’s compatible with all operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows).
Attention: old firmware versions (before v.4.1.02 from 2021/01/08) of this devices doesn’t correctly support CAN Extended addressing, that is used on Toyota and BMW cars. To fix this please update firmware. You can download latest firmware for Vgate iCar Pro here."

Manufacture part# BLE 4.0
Item model# 8542040060
Below the bar code (on the box) X0024EQFGJ
Works with my Pixel 8 Android V15
 
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