Intro
An OBD2 Bluetooth scanner is a compact, yet powerful device that allows you or your mechanic to monitor your vehicle’s performance and identify issues. OBD2 stands for On-Board Diagnostics version 2. The scanner connects your vehicle’s diagnostic system (via the OBD2 port) with a third-party device like a smartphone or a PC.
Click this link to purchase an OBD2 Scanner on Amazon.
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Update
Don’t make the mistake I did. I bought a cheaper OBD2 dongle and it worked fine for CarScanner.
It also worked initially on ABRP, but became flaky and after an ABRP update stopped working altogether.
Make sure you get one of the ABRP recommended devices.
What is it?
The OBD2 system is a standardized system in cars and trucks that allows for self-diagnostics and reporting. An OBD2 Bluetooth scanner is a device that leverages this system to extract data from the vehicle. It’s been a standard on most vehicles for decades and your EV will certainly have a port. I’m yet to find a car made since the 1990s that doesn’t have one.
The scanner is plugged in to your vehicle’s OBD2 port, usually located under the dashboard. Mine is next to the fuse box. Once connected, it can read data from various sensors in the vehicle, such as the engine/motors, transmission, batteries and, if it’s an ICEV, exhaust system.
The OBD2 Bluetooth scanner then sends this data to a smartphone or computer via Bluetooth, where it can be viewed and analyzed using specialised apps. This allows you to monitor your vehicle’s performance in real-time and identify potential issues.
For anyone with concerns about their 12V battery, I believe this to be an essential piece of equipment. I use it to check the 12V output of the ICCU and the 12V battery state of charge (SoC) at least every couple of weeks.
Mechanics can plug in a much more sophisticated device, which will be directly wired to the OBD2 port and use this to diagnose any issues. We have access to all the same data, depending on how sophisticated our app is.
How does it work?
The OBD2 Bluetooth scanner works by translating the data from the vehicle’s diagnostic system into a format that your smartphone or PC can understand. It does this via an app installed on the phone or computer. OBD2 uses 2-way communication with the app asking for information and the OBD2 sending the data.
Once the scanner is connected to the vehicle and paired with a device, it can transmit data such as the vehicle’s speed, temperatures, electricity consumption, battery state, and more. It will even tell which lights are on/off, the radio volume, external temperature, A/C settings and just about every other thing about the operation of the vehicle.
The scanner can also read and clear fault codes. These are alphanumeric codes that represent specific issues in the vehicle. This can be particularly useful for diagnosing problems and performing maintenance. If it detects fault codes, it’s time to call in the professionals. Don’t try to clear codes or fix problems yourself unless you really know what you’re doing. Even if you know what you’re doing, you could invalidate your warranty if you’re not an authorised technician.
Telling the technician about the code is probably a good thing though. It indicates you know something about the issue faced, and might discourage overcharging.
Limitations of OBD2 Bluetooth Scanners
While OBD2 Bluetooth scanners are incredibly useful tools, they do have some limitations.
The first is that not all scanners are compatible with all vehicles. While most vehicles built after 2000 should be compatible with OBD2 scanners, some older models may not be. This probably won’t bother most EV owners though.
Because the OBD2 system is designed to use 2-way communication, it’s impossible to use two apps at the same time. For example; If you try to use CarScanner and ABRP at the same time, it will confuse the OBD2 system and only one app will be able to get the data. Both apps may become unreliable if you try this.
Finally, not all scanners are compatible with all devices. While most scanners work with Android devices, not all are compatible with iOS devices. Therefore, it’s important to check the compatibility of a scanner before purchasing it.
Integration with Apps like Car Scanner and ABRP
OBD2 Bluetooth scanners can be integrated with various apps to provide a more comprehensive view of a vehicle’s performance. Two such apps are Car Scanner and A Better Route Planner (ABRP).
Car Scanner is an app that allows you to create custom dashboards with live data from your vehicle. It works with a variety of OBD2 Bluetooth scanners and can read fault codes, live data, and more. There are something like 27 pages of data uploaded from OBD2 to CarScanner. I don’t pretend to know much about many of them, but I do look closely at a couple of pages. It can be interesting to watch the traction battery behaviour while charging. You can see how the current and temperature fluctuate as the battery management system optimises the delivery of energy to the cells.
ABRP, or A Better Route Planner, on the other hand, is an app designed for electric vehicles. It can connect to an OBD2 Bluetooth scanner to read the State of Charge (SoC) and other parameters from your EV. This data can then be used to accurately plan routes, sending you to the next charger with the right amount of charge to get you there. Your navigationi system (ABRP) will always know exactly how much charge is left in your battery, including when you top up at a charger en-route
Summing it all up
An OBD2 Bluetooth scanner is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to keep a close eye on their vehicle’s performance. I regard it a worthwhile investment for any car owner. Possibly the best 40 bucks I spent on a gadget in a very long time.
I use CarScanner a couple of times a month to check my 12V battery and do a quick scan to see if there’s anything I need to get checked. I use ABRP almost every time I drive and the OBD2 dongle feeds the current state of charge directly to ABRP. I never need to input the SoC and ABRP can accurately predict my range from the consumption rate. When I charge, ABRP is updated and has already calculated the next stop for me. On a road trip, this makes life so much simpler for planning the next charge.
Click this link to purchase an OBD2 Scanner on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
