Ever noticed a slight difference between your car’s dashboard display and the readings from your OBD2 scanner app like Torque? If your Multi-Information Display (MID) shows a fuel efficiency of 13.4 kmpl while your Torque app reads 12.7 kmpl for the same trip, you’re not alone. This is a common observation and stems from the inherent way OBD2 scanners and apps process data.
This discrepancy isn’t typically due to a flaw in the app itself, even upgrading to Torque Pro won’t eliminate it. The real key lies in the OBD2 reader you are using. Cheaper, basic OBD2 readers, while functional, may introduce slight numerical inaccuracies. These inaccuracies arise because OBD readers transmit data in bursts, a few times per second, to your smartphone app. The app then integrates this data over time to calculate cumulative statistics like fuel efficiency and trip distance.
Think of it as “cumulative round-off errors.” These small errors, occurring with each data burst, accumulate over time and become noticeable in the final readings. To minimize these errors and achieve more precise results, consider investing in a higher-quality OBD2 reader, such as the OBDLink series. These advanced readers transmit data more frequently and with potentially greater precision, leading to improved cumulative accuracy.
However, even with the best OBD2 scanner, perfect alignment with your car’s MID should not be expected. Car manufacturers’ MID calculations themselves are estimations and rarely match tank-to-tank fuel efficiency figures. OBD2 app readings generally fall somewhere between the often optimistic MID figures and the real-world tank-to-tank measurements.
Fuel efficiency calculations are complex, influenced by driving conditions like idling, rapid accelerations, and braking. Numerical calculation methods are more susceptible to round-off errors when dealing with rapidly changing data. For steady highway driving, OBD2 scanner fuel efficiency readings tend to be much closer to real-world values.
Distance measurements can also be improved with a better OBD2 reader. Switching from a basic ELM327 device to a more advanced OBDLink LX can significantly reduce distance measurement errors, potentially to under 1%.
In conclusion, while minor variations are normal, the accuracy of your OBD2 scanner data is significantly influenced by the quality of the reader. For users seeking the best OBD2 scanner for accurate data in scenarios like performance monitoring or detailed trip analysis, investing in a high-quality reader is a worthwhile upgrade. While perfect accuracy is elusive, a better OBD2 scanner will undoubtedly bring you closer to reliable and insightful vehicle data.
