Kia Picanto 15 plate - USB Port - is an accessory kit available - Robin the Technician

Hi,

Duaghter has the above car which is the basic model. It doesn't have a USB port connector like the higher spec's have and she's asked if a kit is available to convert it. I have asked the local Kia garage but he looked confused and asked for the reg number - which wouldn't help has as the car has not got one! Anyway they are going to 'look into it' and call me in a few days. Not confident of the outcome....

I am going to change the radio/CD for an identical one from Feabay so she's got Bluetooth which is very straightforward, but its the USB port kit that I need help on.

Anyone working in a Kia dealers out ther have an idea?

Thanks in anticipation of your advice

Robin the Technician - I fix, therefore I am

Kia Picanto 15 plate - USB Port - is an accessory kit available - skidpan

Parts to upgrade lower spec Kia's to higher spec models are not normally available from dealers. The normal route appears to be to source parts for the scrappies or e-bay.

But as for doing the work yourself there is a catch, you will loose the electrical part of the 7 year warranty and we all know how expensive and difficult electrical faults can be to fix.

One poster on the Kia forum had an assurance from Kia that providing a dealer or electrical specialist carried out any radio upgrades the warranty on the rest of the system would be honoured but they needed to retaining receipts detailing the work and costs and the company had to be VAT registered.

Since the 7 year warranty is a major reason people buy Kia's (especially used ones where the remaining warranty can be better than many other new cars) you don't really want to jepardise it.

But the posters on the Forum who buys cars where the previous owner had either tampered with the car or not serviced it and lost the warranty never blame the previous owner so you would be in the clear. They always blame Kia threatening court action saying they will never buy another since they are rubbish cars.

Kia Picanto 15 plate - USB Port - is an accessory kit available - Wackyracer

The USB port seems to be available but, the question will be if the cars loom has the plug to connect it and if it needs to be configured with a Kia diagnostic tool.

Skidpan makes a good point.

Kia Picanto 15 plate - USB Port - is an accessory kit available - dadbif
If you only need the USB for charging phones etc, a cheap adaptor that plugs into the cigar lighter socket is available very cheaply on fleabay
Kia Picanto 15 plate - USB Port - is an accessory kit available - galileo
If you only need the USB for charging phones etc, a cheap adaptor that plugs into the cigar lighter socket is available very cheaply on fleabay

And in Poundland.

Kia Picanto 15 plate - USB Port - is an accessory kit available - Bolt
If you only need the USB for charging phones etc, a cheap adaptor that plugs into the cigar lighter socket is available very cheaply on fleabay

And in Poundland.

Be careful of very cheap ones they can and do overheat

Kia Picanto 15 plate - USB Port - is an accessory kit available - Robin the Technician

Thanks guys for all your advice. Daughter has now decided that a 'Parrot' is what she needs for her music and phone. It's all ordered and will arrive shortly. It does have the added advantage of 'what to buy her for xmas' and that's now solved and I won't have to trudge around a miriad of shops looking for it!!

Much appreciated

Robin the Technician - I fix, therefore I am