For automotive enthusiasts and professionals alike, the BlueDriver OBD2 scanner is a powerful tool for vehicle diagnostics. A key step to unlock the full potential of your BlueDriver device is ensuring your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is correctly added. This article will guide you through understanding why your VIN is crucial for BlueDriver and how to add it, maximizing your diagnostic capabilities.
Why Your VIN Matters for BlueDriver OBD2
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. Think of it as your car’s fingerprint. You can typically find your VIN on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield, and also on a sticker located on the driver’s side doorjamb.
BlueDriver utilizes your VIN to precisely identify your vehicle’s make, model, year, and engine type. This identification is not just for record-keeping; it’s essential for accessing a range of advanced features within the BlueDriver app, including:
- Repair Reports: Get vehicle-specific repair solutions verified by professional mechanics.
- Vehicle Specifications: Access detailed specs about your car, from engine size to factory options.
- Recalls: Stay informed about any safety recalls affecting your specific vehicle.
- Maintenance Schedules: Receive maintenance schedules tailored to your car’s year and model, helping you stay on top of preventative care.
- Service Bulletins: Access technical service bulletins (TSBs) that provide insights into common issues and fixes for your vehicle.
- Enhanced Codes: For brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, VIN verification unlocks access to enhanced diagnostic codes, offering deeper insights into vehicle health.
Without your VIN, these valuable features remain inaccessible, limiting the effectiveness of your BlueDriver scanner.
Automatic VIN Retrieval with BlueDriver
In most modern vehicles, BlueDriver is designed to automatically retrieve the VIN directly from your car’s engine computer upon connection. When you plug in your BlueDriver sensor and connect via the app, it will initiate a VIN request.
This automatic process simplifies setup and ensures accuracy. However, particularly with vehicles manufactured before 2005, automatic VIN retrieval may not be supported. In such cases, you’ll need to manually add your VIN.
Manual VIN Entry: Step-by-Step Guide
If BlueDriver cannot automatically read your VIN, the app will prompt you to enter it manually. This is a straightforward process that ensures you can still access all VIN-dependent features.
First-Time Setup or Re-installation:
If you’re a new BlueDriver user or have reinstalled the app, and automatic VIN retrieval fails, the app will directly ask if you want to manually identify your vehicle. Simply tap “Yes” to proceed with manual VIN entry.
Reconnecting to a Vehicle:
When reconnecting to a vehicle that doesn’t support VIN retrieval, BlueDriver will remember this limitation. The app will then ask if you want to reuse the previously entered VIN or input a new one. Choose “Enter New VIN” if you are using BlueDriver on a different vehicle or need to correct the VIN.
Entering VIN Later:
If you initially skip VIN entry, you can easily add it later. Navigate to the “Vehicle Info” page within the BlueDriver app. At the top of the screen, you’ll see a VIN box. Tap this box to manually enter your 17-digit VIN.
VIN Barcode Scanning:
For added convenience, BlueDriver offers a VIN barcode scanning feature. Within the VIN entry field, you’ll find a barcode button. Tapping this activates your device’s camera, allowing you to scan the VIN barcode located on your driver’s side doorjamb.
Important Note: Only the barcode on the door jamb is designed for scanning. Ensure you have accurately entered or scanned your VIN before running a scan to fully utilize features like repair reports, which require VIN verification. If you run a scan without a VIN and later add it, you will need to perform another scan for the VIN-dependent features to become active.
Understanding Limitations of Manual Year & Manufacturer Selection
BlueDriver also provides the option to manually select your vehicle’s year and manufacturer instead of entering the VIN. While this might seem like a quicker alternative, it comes with significant limitations.
VIN-Dependent Features Disabled:
Choosing the manual year and manufacturer selection method will disable all VIN-dependent features. This means you will lose access to crucial functionalities like Vehicle Specifications, Maintenance Schedules, Recalls, Service Bulletins, and Repair Reports. Essentially, you’ll be using a significantly less powerful version of BlueDriver.
VIN Override:
If you initially enter or allow BlueDriver to read your VIN, and then subsequently change the year or manufacturer manually, this action overrides the VIN. Consequently, all VIN-related features will be deactivated, even if you had previously entered the VIN correctly.
Enhanced Codes Limitation:
Manually selecting the manufacturer will not enable enhanced diagnostic codes for brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. These advanced features are exclusively unlocked through VIN verification, ensuring accurate vehicle identification.
International VIN Support Considerations
Currently, BlueDriver’s VIN decoding capabilities are primarily focused on North American (Canada & US) VINs. If you are using BlueDriver outside of North America, full VIN-based features may be limited.
However, if you own a vehicle outside North America that has a North American equivalent model, you might be able to manually enter a VIN from a North American version of the same car. Websites like Decode This can assist in finding a compatible North American VIN. While this workaround may enable some VIN-related services, data accuracy cannot be guaranteed for non-North American vehicles.
In conclusion, adding your VIN to your BlueDriver OBD2 scanner, whether automatically or manually, is a vital step to unlock its full diagnostic potential. By taking the few moments to ensure your VIN is correctly entered, you gain access to a wealth of vehicle-specific information and features that make BlueDriver an indispensable tool for vehicle maintenance and repair.
