5 Useful Things an OBD2 Reader Can Do On Your Car

What is an OBD II Reader?

Before going into the details, let me explain in brief about an OBD II reader and why we use it. OBD stands for On-board diagnostics and refers to feature incorporated in vehicles by which they can self diagnose and subsequently report the errors that were observed. 

Even though this is the basic function of an OBD, we will discuss some more functions in detail that were added through the years. 

A good OBD system grants the user or a service mechanic with all necessary information about the working and status of engine at any instant. 

Since its introduction in the 1980s, the system have transformed or changed drastically for the better. 

Today, an OBD system is an intelligent system providing a lot of information about the vehicle or simple screens and comes with all latest of technologies built into it. 

Modern ones also come equipped with Bluetooth and other wireless connectivity so that you can sue you phone or any other smart device to analyze your automobile.  

The older versions of an OBD available at the time of its introduction into the market, displayed errors, faults or any other information with the help of a simple LED indicator. 

But today we have LCD and LED screens that can display any complex data easily. 

OBD II is the second generation of on board diagnostics and comes with all new features incorporated thus keeping you safe while on wheels. 

The modern systems also have a standardized port through which a real time data or code can be inputted to a series of other codes already programmed in them so as to recognize or rectify a certain fault in one of the vehicle parts.    

Thus an OBD system is an intelligent system that analyses and reports faults concerned with your automobile thereby keeping you safe and sound while on your drives. 

With OBD II, the modified version of OBD, you can finally say goodbye to car breakdowns as they are reported well in advance by these systems. 

Some key functions of an OBD II reader:

Easy hand held operation

The basic models of an OBD II scanner are hand held and extremely simple to use. 

The design is done so that is compact and sits in the users hand with great grip. It is also made very lightweight so that it can be carried around with the greatest ease. 

The smooth and seamless functioning of these devices due to the absence of the need for wireless connectivity serves as a plus point in many ways. 

These hand held tools comes with their own display that feeds the user with all necessary information regarding his vehicle.

These hand held tools can be of different specifications and can be chosen depending on your need. 

If you are a simple customer who only needs to check some oil levels or occasional maintenance, then the basic fault scanner/ reader would be the one to go for. 

On the other hand, if the system is primarily for professional uses, then advanced models with more features and functionalities are readily available. 

The professional hand held tools are mainly handles by professional technicians and mechanics. 

With such devices, you can get an even more detailed overview of your automobile and access further more advanced diagnostics. 

Some more information like the vehicle specific identification number known as the ECU parameters set by the manufacturer at the time of production can even be determined with an advanced OBD scanner/reader. 

These numbers can be used to identify any car in cases of theft or fraud activities relating to a vehicle. 

The professional hand held device also gives user access to all areas like the ABS or Air bag activation in built by the manufacturer. 

This way, a professional can check for any errors in the features of a car directly with the help of this device. 

More advanced systems also happen to have real time information display that produces all vehicle related info directly on the screens as they are at that particular instant. 

Such a live data feed allows the user access to important data anytime anywhere and proper diagnostics can be done without the situation getting worse.

OBD systems make use of PC and smart devices to improve the functionality

Modern OBD systems can literally perform wonders with all those new and exciting features that they are equipped with. 

As time progresses, the technological advancement take place and it is bound to affect all industries alike. 

These diagnostic systems transformed into something a hell lot big by the introduction of the wireless connectivity like the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. 

We can now link these diagnostic scanners directly to our phones and perform all those actions of an OBD directly from the telephone screens. 

So let’s take a closer look at these modern attachments that makes our lives so much easier.

The first mobile phone like OBD II scanner used the screens of our mobile phones to directly display and manipulate data availed through the OBD. 

The data was transferred through data cable and standard adapters that offered swift data transfer without even a hint of a delay. 

However, as the modern technologies of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi gained more popularity and acceptance the manufacturers of these diagnostic devices to implement wireless connectivity in their products as well. 

Nowadays the modern OBD readers transferred data directly to you phones, tablets or any other smart devices through a wireless network. 

Bluetooth is the most common but can be unstable at times due to poor adaptor specifications in either of the devices connected. 

So a Wi-Fi network is always preferred and is implemented whenever feasible. 

The new product ranges arriving in the market also allows data from the OBD to be uploaded directly to the internet through the Wi-Fi network or by using the cellular internet connection of your mobile phone. 

Introduction of these smart devices connected OBDs have brought down prices considerably as well as brought about new and improved functionalities.

There are also PC based OBD scanners available in the market which are equally useful to drivers and mechanics. 

These systems make use of a connecting cable such as a USB wire to connect the OBD reader to a computer. 

Proper software then decodes the data obtained at the port on the computer and converts it into a numbers, words, tables and graphs. 

This visual data obtained at your computer screens are very detailed and easy to understand. The system is also easy to use and is a lot better than traditional hand held devices in many ways.

Let us see why a PC based OBD reader is considered more reliable than others. For starters, these PC based readers have larger storage and better data logging functions. 

The data logging function in explained in detail in the next section. As we know, PC connected devices use PC screens itself to display the information. 

So the display quality is way better than those found in handheld ones. The decoding software can be changed or upgraded thereby adding to the functionality as well as the flexibility. 

Thus the capabilities of these devices depend greatly on the quality or level of the software that is being used.

Data logging and storage

One of the important functions of modern day on board diagnostic devices is data logging. 

OBD acting as a data logger are assigned with the task of capturing and recording vehicle information while in working stages so that it can be analyzed later. 

This particular feature is very useful and can be used to find problems with your vehicle as well as its cause. 

These recorded data thus makes the job of technicians much easier.

Data logging as a feature may include recording and analysis of data related to various parts of the automobile and not a particular part alone. 

The OBD reader efficiently collects information from the engine so as to determine the working state of the machine. These data obtained are later put to use in diagnosing and tuning the engine. So the engine state and vehicle normal operation are clearly recorded by the data logger.

Some of the auto insurances tend to offer a slightly reduced premium rate when it comes to vehicle equipped with an OBD II scanner with data logging or if cameras are installed. 

So this indirectly leads to a selection of auto insurance risks. 

Another important feature of a data logger is that it can directly monitor the behavior of the driver by making use of fleet vehicle operations. An extension of this system includes the use of auto black boxes. 

The data from these installations are periodically checked and in some cases may be sending to some third party for assurance.  

This makes it easier for the authorities to identify the reasons when unfortunate cases like an accident occurs. 

Thus data logging is not just an additional feature that improves the user experience but a necessary one for every vehicle.

Emission Testing

Earlier tailpipe testing was used, but now emission testing is done with advanced technology OBD-II systems. 

With this method of testing, certain trouble codes are generated on any malfunction and the testing computer when connected to the vehicle’s on-board computer and this helps in verifying the emission related problems in the vehicle. 

A scan tool is used and when plugged into the vehicle’s system, this helps to check whether the emission systems are working properly.

An OBD-II emission test has three parts:

1. Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Check: An MIL light is used for this check.
   
   When the vehicle ignition is turned to the ON position, the light must come and when the engine is turned OFF, the light must go.
   
   If this test fails and the light is not working properly indicates that the vehicle has a problem in the OBD-II system due to exceeding emissions and the vehicle should be diagnosed.
   
2. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and MIL Command status check: When a problem has been detected in the OBD-II system, the Powertrain control Module (PCM) commands the MIL to turn ON.
   
   A scanner is connected into the diagnostic link connector (DLC) to check for monitor readiness.
   
   The command status of the MIL will be OFF, if the OBD-II system is working properly.
   
   An error in the DLC can also make this test fail and the vehicle is to be checked and repaired.
   
3. Readiness Monitor Check: For different emissions produced, there are certain self-check monitors which are non-continuous within the OBD-II system.
   
   A scan tool is used to check the DTC and gives a ready when all the problems are cleared. If the battery power is disconnected, then the monitors goes to not ready.
   
   There are three monitors that are continuous which are very important: Fuel system, Misfire, and comprehensive components. 

Driver’s supplementary vehicle instrumentation and Vehicle telematics:

In addition to the instrumentation provided by the vehicle manufacturer for vehicle diagnosis the driver installs supplementary instrumentation which are used as a display for additional information to the driver during normal running. 

This additional instrumentation is in opposition to scanners which are primarily used for certain fault diagnosis and analysis. 

The OBD gives certain information only, but some auto enthusiasts tend to install some of the additional gauges as instrumentation for accessing the full range of the vehicle data. 

Additional vehicle data such as instantaneous fuel economy and trip details can also be accessed. 

The instrumentation can be in the form of GPS units, Personal digital Assistants (PDA) etc.

Telematics is a monitoring method used in vehicles used by combining GPS system and Vehicle on-board diagnostics which can be used to locate exactly where the vehicle’s location is and it also shows how speed the vehicle is moving. 

Telematics is a system which has both telecommunication and automotive technology as a combination. 

The telematics in a vehicle provided a wide range of features. This telematics are provided visually and with touch screen features. 

In these infotainment systems, the GPS feature for navigation, external mapping with route calculations and even automatic call features are also included. 

In this the system also has entertainment systems that involve remote connectivity with smart phones.

These telematics features include some of these features:

• Telematics convenience features: In a sense, these systems are used for making life easier.
  
  Features such as remotely unlocking your doors when you accidently lock yourself out and sometimes to turn on headlights or to honk a horn if you have trouble forgetting where you parked your car.
  
  Another feature is the GPS feature used for tracking the vehicle and also some telematics allows to even pip-point restaurants, gas stations and other places of interest.
  
  Some telematics systems even dictate messages and information and also provide fuel economy and performance level of the vehicle.
  
• Telematics security and safety features:  As these telematics systems have an inbuilt cellular connection that provides a link with the outside world which can be very useful in situations such as when you get into an accident.
  
  Nowadays automatic collision notification in the telematics of a vehicle increases the safety of the vehicle.
  
  When a collision occurs if the airbags deploy a signal is being sent to the operator and if the user does not respond to the operators call, they can contact emergency services.
  
  Some systems have integrated theft security and recovery features and some even have emergency medical situation response systems.
  
• Voice and Telematics: Some of the systems allow in hands-free calling without the use of the smart phones in your hand.
  
  These systems have built-in cellular modem which provides a link to the internet.
  
  This link provided to the internet helps in searching the internet for information’s such as nearest gas station, restaurants or any other place of interest.
  
  Even we can get real time traffic information and a good GPS routing can be done by using less traffic routes to reach the destination.
  
• Smartphone app integration of telematics systems: We have telematics systems in vehicles, but by integration of these systems with your smart phones make it easier.
  
  These vehicles have smart phone integration with the vehicle with the help of certain apps that helps in connecting your smart phone with the vehicle.
  
  These systems help in unlocking the doors of your vehicle if you lose the vehicle keys.
  
  With the smart phone in your hands and if you tend to find the place where you parked your car by honking a horn or switching on the headlights as indication can be done.
  
  You can even start the engines remotely using the app and also do climate controls in the car before you even step inside the cars which are advanced technologies which are done with smart phone app integration.

Conclusion: 

The OBD-II is an overall improvement to OBD-I that is more capable and standard and have a lot of features. 

These systems provided a more flexible way for detecting information of the vehicle. This information’s helps in detection of the problem before even the problem occurs. 

OBD systems also have applications such as emission testing, Phone linking to the vehicle for easier access, data loggers etc. 

These systems collectively with advanced technologies implemented with it improve the features and safety of the vehicle and some systems also gives real time information of the vehicle. 

Therefore, the diagnosis of the vehicle has become easier than before.