If you manage a fleet of vehicles or drive your own company vehicle, you may have come across the terms OBD or OBD-II. But what is OBDII? Usually written as OBD-II, it’s the global standard of OBD or On-Board Diagnostics. These are built-in electronic devices created specifically to report on problems from power relay faults to ignition coil issues.
It is also possible to connect devices to OBD-II ports to create meaningful telematics systems for better fleet management. GPS tracking devices may utilize the OBD-II port for persistent, real-time tracking that doesn’t require removing and recharging devices.
Insurance companies may also utilize the OBD-II port to attach monitoring devices that help them understand driver behaviors and adjust their risk assessments and premiums. Understanding the history and role of OBD can help you better utilize this useful vehicle function.
What is On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)?
On-Board Diagnostics are a response to the increasing computerization of vehicles. Most automotive systems now have some form of electronic intervention. Implementing a system that monitors and reports on the status of all components makes it easier for technicians and fleet managers to understand wear and tear and any recurring issues.
OBD isn’t a new concept. Computerized diagnostics were introduced in the 1960s but weren’t standardized until the late ‘80s. That standardization allows any technician to plug a diagnostic computer into virtually any OBD port and discover the fault with a vehicle. Today, these ports allow vehicle owners and corporate fleet managers to attach advanced tracking devices that provide higher levels of visibility over any number of vehicles.
How Did OBD Evolve?
OBD was first introduced in 1968 by Volkswagen, the German car giant. Many other manufacturers developed their versions, but it wasn’t until 1979 that the Society of Automotive Engineers recommended standardization.
However, it would be another nine years before this happened. In 1988, cars with OBD were required to have a standard connector and diagnostic codes. Things went a step further in 1991. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) wanted to find ways for vehicles to comply with environmental regulations around air quality, i.e., the United States Clean Air Act.
With that in mind, they mandated that all vehicles have an OBD system. This requirement was initially known as OBD, but today, it’s referred to as OBD-I.
True standardization didn’t occur until 1994 and wasn’t mandatory until 1996. From this date, all cars across the United States have been required to have a new diagnostic system known as OBD-II to support emissions testing.
What is OBDII or OBD-II?
OBD-II is a port in the vehicle just below the dashboard, usually on the driver’s side. It directly connects a technician’s diagnostic computer to computer systems within the vehicle that constantly scan and monitor the vehicle’s systems. It also connects to external devices like a GPS tracker, providing power to ensure continuous safety, security, and driver management tracking.
How Does OBD-II Work?
The OBD-II port connects directly with a vehicle’s Electric Control Unit (ECU). Think of the ECU as the brain of a vehicle, connecting to multiple systems and collecting information on them all. The ECU links to multiple sensors and modules in the car to provide large volumes of important data on various aspects of performance. That data is passed from the ECU to OBD-II via communication protocols such as Controller Area Network (CAN).
Accessing this data stream provides critical information on fuel usage, emissions, engine wear, and other aspects of regular vehicle usage. These details can help fleet managers understand how vehicles are used or empower insurance companies to make decisions based on driver behaviors.
What Are the Benefits of OBD-II for Vehicle Owners and Fleet Managers?
The primary benefit of OBD-II is that it allows for the early detection of problems, preventing minor issues from becoming major catastrophes. Fleet managers can see if some corporate vehicles are particularly fuel-hungry and others perform better than expected.
These details can drive future purchasing decisions or maintenance schedules. For example, if managers can see that sensor faults commonly occur after two years on a certain vehicle model, they could ensure that all services are arranged before that two years is up.
Why is OBD-II Important for Mechanics and Technicians?
When a vehicle lights up a “check engine” warning or similar alert, a professional can connect their scanner to the OBD-II port. They can then find the fault code, look it up, and immediately understand the required next steps. These diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are standardized, making it quick and easy to diagnose faults. Trained mechanics will have lists of codes that immediately show what fault the code corresponds to.
Where is the OBD-II Port Located?
While most OBD-II ports are located under the dashboard on the driver’s side, there are variations. For example, Some BMW vehicles have a port near the engine, while other manufacturers place theirs near the steering column. Refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s manual to find the OBD-II port quickly.
How to Access the OBD-II Port Easily
If you are performing a scan, always check your vehicle’s manual to understand where the OBD-II port is and how to access it. Your diagnostic scanner will have a connector that clips neatly into the OBD-II port and should give you detailed instructions. If in doubt, leave the diagnostics to a trained technician.
You may also need to access the OBD-II port to attach GPS tracking devices. Again, always refer to the manufacturer’s manual or contact the GPS tracker supplier for further assistance.
What Can OBD-II Diagnose?
OBD-II can provide data on engine performance, emissions, fuel system efficiency, car battery power, and more. Some common faults OBD-II can diagnose include:
- Fuel mixture problems
- Sensor faults
- Transmission issues
OBD-II provides two main types of data: real-time data, which shows the current status, and freeze-frame data, which highlights what codes were produced at the specific time of a fault.
What Are OBD-II Trouble Codes (DTCs)?
The DTCs are the strings of letters and numbers that the OBD-II produces when there’s a fault. In general, codes that start with P0 are generic, which means they could apply to any vehicle. Codes that begin with P1 are more likely to be manufacturer-specific. Technicians will consult a list of all current codes to understand the faults the OBD-II system highlights.
How Does OBD-II Improve Emission Control?
The main function of OBD-II is to monitor and report on a vehicle’s emissions. By ensuring that a car always complies with current air quality regulations, OBD-II contributes to a cleaner atmosphere.
How Does OBD-II Integrate with Telematics?
OBD-II ports can connect to various devices, including telematics and GPS-connected technologies.
What is the Role of OBD-II in Telematics Systems?
Telematics systems gather vehicle data and send it to fleet managers or vehicle insurers for storage and analysis. Understanding, for example, how many miles a particular vehicle category does on average each month could help fleet managers negotiate lower insurance rates. Data on wear and tear helps schedule maintenance at the right times or even create predictive maintenance schedules.
OBD-II-integrated GPS tracking devices utilize GPS satellites and cellular data to constantly report on the location of a vehicle.
What Are the Advantages of OBD-II-based Telematics for Businesses?
OBD-II data can also help businesses understand driver behavior. Managers can address this and have appropriate conversations if drivers constantly veer off their designated route. They can also face any safety concerns head-on to prevent accidents. If it turns out drivers are failing to take breaks, for example, they can have refreshers on safety training and the potential consequences of failing to follow these regulations. This data could also lead to disciplinary conversations where necessary.
These tracking devices can be used across dozens or even hundreds of vehicles to allow fleet managers a unified view of all their vehicles via specialist, intuitive software. The software logs all location data in real time but also keeps historical logs of this data so that managers can run reports and quickly analyze trends in data.
Choosing the Right OBD-II GPS Tracking Devices
The Sync OBD-II GPS Tracker for vehicles is an advanced yet simple-to-use device that connects directly into the OBD-II port of any business vehicle. It ensures trucks, cars, and other vehicles are properly monitored via specialist tracking technologies and software that shows exactly where they are at all times. The advantages of OBD-II GPS trackers include the fact that they don’t need to be charged up before use. They take a small amount of power directly from the vehicle and continuously submit a real-time location report throughout the vehicle’s journey.
Fleet managers can set up geofencing, a virtual boundary that shows where a corporate vehicle should be operating. If the vehicle goes outside that area, the manager will receive an alert and can immediately contact the driver to determine the situation.
Where vehicles go missing or are stolen, installed trackers allow firms to instantly provide location information to the relevant authorities. This vastly increases the chances of retrieving the vehicle and other important assets, such as cargo or equipment stored in the vehicle. Some businesses may even gain preferential insurance rates if they report that their vehicles are monitored via high-end GPS tracking devices.
Why Every Fleet Manager Should Know About OBD-II
So, what is OBDII or OBD-II? For fleet managers, it’s a way to gain full visibility of every vehicle and its performance. OBD-II ports allow the connection of GPS tracking devices and the collection of telematics to make fleet management easier, more efficient, and more cost-effective. Utilize the data from your OBD-II ports to schedule maintenance, rethink your fleet purchasing priorities, and always understand the location of your vehicles. Prevent theft and loss and increase the overall security of your fleet, no matter where your vehicles are.