For car enthusiasts and professional mechanics alike, understanding the intricate workings of a vehicle is paramount. Modern vehicles are complex systems, generating a wealth of data about their operation. Enter Bluedriver Obd2 Gauges, a powerful feature that transforms raw vehicle data into insightful, real-time displays. This guide delves into the extensive range of OBDII live data parameters accessible through BlueDriver, empowering you to monitor, diagnose, and maintain your vehicle with unprecedented clarity.
BlueDriver, a leading scan tool and vehicle monitoring solution, goes beyond simple code reading. It unlocks a treasure trove of live data, presented as intuitive gauges on your smartphone or tablet. These bluedriver obd2 gauges provide a window into your engine’s performance, fuel efficiency, emissions system, and much more. Whether you’re troubleshooting a mysterious issue, tracking performance metrics, or simply staying informed about your car’s condition, BlueDriver’s gauges are an invaluable tool.
It’s important to note that while OBDII standards provide a broad framework, the actual data points supported can vary depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model. BlueDriver’s compatibility tool can help you determine the specific parameters available for your vehicle, ensuring you get the most out of your diagnostic sessions.
Let’s explore the vast landscape of data accessible through bluedriver obd2 gauges, categorized for clarity:
Unveiling Vehicle Operation Parameters with BlueDriver
The “Vehicle Operation” category within BlueDriver offers a fundamental set of gauges to monitor the core functions of your engine and vehicle dynamics. These parameters are essential for understanding the real-time performance and health of your car.
Engine RPM: Displayed in revolutions per minute (RPM), this gauge shows the rotational speed of your engine’s crankshaft. It’s a fundamental indicator of engine activity, increasing with acceleration and decreasing at idle. Monitoring RPM is crucial for understanding engine load and performance across different driving conditions.
Vehicle Speed: This straightforward gauge indicates your car’s current speed. While your speedometer on the dashboard also displays speed, the OBD2 reading offers a digital, potentially more precise value directly from the vehicle’s computer.
Engine Coolant Temperature: This gauge displays the temperature of your engine’s coolant, a critical factor in preventing overheating and ensuring optimal engine operation. The sensor is typically located near the cylinder head or before the radiator. Some vehicles may have a second coolant temperature sensor (ECT 2) at a different location, such as the thermostat outlet. Monitoring coolant temperature is vital for preventing engine damage and diagnosing cooling system issues.
Engine Oil Temperature: The temperature of your engine oil is another key indicator of engine health. Oil temperature affects lubrication effectiveness, and excessively high temperatures can lead to oil breakdown and engine wear. The sensor location varies by vehicle, often near the oil filter.
Ambient Air Temperature: This gauge shows the air temperature surrounding your vehicle. It’s typically a few degrees cooler than the intake air temperature, as it’s measured outside the engine compartment. Ambient temperature data can be useful for understanding environmental conditions and their potential impact on engine performance.
Barometric Pressure: Also known as atmospheric pressure, this gauge displays the ambient air pressure around your vehicle. It’s shown as an absolute value, typically around 101.3 kPa or 14.7 psi at sea level. Barometric pressure varies with altitude and weather conditions. This data is used by the engine control module (ECM) to adjust fuel and air mixture for optimal combustion.
Accelerator Pedal Position: These gauges (Accelerator Pedal Position D, E, F) show the position of the driver’s accelerator pedal. Modern vehicles may use multiple sensors for redundancy and accuracy. Monitoring these gauges can help diagnose issues with the accelerator pedal sensor or throttle response.
Relative Accelerator Pedal Position: This gauge displays the accelerator pedal position adjusted for the vehicle’s learned driving behavior. Due to scaling and adaptive learning, it might not always reach 100% even when the pedal is fully depressed. It can also represent the average of multiple accelerator pedal position sensors.
Commanded Throttle Actuator: This gauge shows the throttle position requested by the ECM based on the accelerator pedal input. It represents the desired throttle opening, which may be influenced by various factors beyond just the pedal position, such as cruise control or traction control systems.
Relative Throttle Position: This gauge displays the throttle position relative to the “learned” closed position. Over time, carbon buildup or other factors can affect throttle behavior. Some vehicles compensate for this by adjusting the throttle’s closed position. Relative throttle position accounts for this adaptation, showing 0% when the throttle is in its learned closed position, even if the absolute position is slightly open.
Absolute Throttle Position: This gauge indicates the actual opening of the throttle valve, from 0% (fully closed) to 100% (fully open). Vehicles may have multiple throttle position sensors (TPS A/1, TPS B/2, TPS C/3, TPS D/4) for redundancy. Monitoring absolute throttle position is crucial for diagnosing throttle-related issues and understanding engine airflow.
Control Module Voltage: This gauge displays the input voltage to the ECM. With the engine off but ignition on, it shows battery voltage. With the engine running, it displays alternator voltage. Monitoring control module voltage is essential for diagnosing electrical system problems affecting the ECM.
Hybrid Battery Pack Remaining Life: Also known as State of Charge (SOC), this gauge shows the total charge percentage remaining in a hybrid vehicle’s battery pack. Individual cell data is not available through standard OBDII.
Hybrid/EV Vehicle System Status: This gauge provides information specific to hybrid and electric vehicles, including:
- Hybrid/EV Charging State: Indicates “Charge Sustaining Mode” (CSM) where the system maintains battery charge or “Charge Depletion Mode” (CDM) where the system aims to lower the state of charge. Non-PHEVs will always show CSM.
- Hybrid/EV Battery Voltage: Battery voltage, ranging from 0 to 1024V.
- Hybrid/EV Battery Current: Battery current, ranging from -3300 to 3300 Amps. Negative values indicate battery charging.
Calculated Engine Load Value: This gauge represents the current percentage of maximum available engine torque being produced. 100% indicates Wide Open Throttle (WOT), while 0% is at key-on engine-off. It’s a useful metric for understanding engine workload.
Absolute Load Value: A normalized value representing air mass intake per intake stroke as a percentage. It’s calculated based on the mass of air per intake stroke relative to the mass of air at 100% throttle under standard temperature and pressure. Naturally aspirated engines typically range from 0-95%, while turbo/supercharged engines can reach up to 400%.
Driver’s Demand Engine – Percent Torque: This gauge shows the percentage of maximum available engine torque requested by the ECM based on accelerator pedal position, cruise control, and transmission demands. External factors like traction control do not influence this value.
Actual Engine – Percent Torque: Also known as Indicated Torque, this gauge displays the current percentage of total available engine torque, including brake torque and “friction torque.”
Engine Friction – Percent Torque: This gauge represents the percentage of maximum engine torque required to overcome internal engine friction and operate auxiliary components like the water pump, alternator, and emissions control equipment at no load. It excludes components like power steering or AC compressors.
Engine Reference Torque: This gauge shows the factory-set torque rating of the engine, considered the 100% value for torque-related parameters. It doesn’t reflect changes due to wear, aftermarket upgrades, or tuning.
Engine Percent Torque Data: This parameter is used when vehicle or environmental conditions can alter the reference torque, such as at high altitude. It can report up to five different maximum torque ratings, each numbered 1-5, although the reasons for these changes are not specified and may require a factory manual.
Auxiliary Input/Output: This composite gauge can report various statuses if supported by the vehicle:
- Power Take Off (PTO) Status: On or Off.
- Automatic Transmission Status: Park/Neutral or Drive/Reverse.
- Manual Transmission Neutral Status: Neutral/Clutch In or In Gear.
- Glow Plug Lamp Status: Indicator On or Off.
- Recommended Transmission Gear: 1 through 15.
Support for this datapoint is relatively uncommon, with transmission status often reported via enhanced live data.
Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT): Depending on the vehicle, BlueDriver may display EGT readings for various sensor locations in the exhaust system, including:
- Sensor #1 – Post-turbo
- Sensor #2 – Post-catalytic converter
- Sensor #3 – Post-DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)
- Sensor #4 – Potentially after NOx control equipment.
Sensor locations can vary, and the factory manual is the best resource for specific configurations.
Engine Exhaust Flow Rate: Exhaust flow rate, measured in kg/hr or lbs/hr, upstream of the aftertreatment system, averaged over the last 1000ms.
Exhaust Pressure: Exhaust pressure, displayed as an absolute value. Engine off, it should read roughly ambient atmospheric pressure. Sensor locations vary, potentially reporting data from one or two exhaust banks.
Manifold Surface Temperature: Temperature at the outer surface of the exhaust manifold.
Timing Advance for #1 cylinder: The angle of crankshaft rotation before Top Dead Center (BTDC) when the spark plug for cylinder #1 fires. Negative values indicate firing after TDC, positive values before TDC. Monitoring timing advance is crucial for diagnosing ignition and performance issues.
Engine Run Time: This gauge can report several time-related parameters:
- Total engine run time in seconds.
- Total engine idle time in seconds (defined by no throttle input, low RPM, inactive PTO, and low vehicle speed).
- Total run time with PTO engaged (if equipped).
Run Time Since Engine Start: Run time in seconds since the engine was last started.
Time Run with MIL On: Engine run time since the Check Engine Light (MIL) was activated after a code was thrown. This timer stops increasing at 65,535 minutes (roughly 45 engine-days). On hybrids or vehicles with auto stop/start, it continues to increase as long as the ignition is on.
Distance Traveled while MIL is Activated: Distance driven since the Check Engine Light last illuminated. Resets when codes are cleared or the battery is disconnected.
Time since Trouble Codes Cleared: Engine run time since codes were last cleared. This timer also stops at 65,535 minutes. On hybrids/stop-start vehicles, it increases with ignition on.
Distance Traveled Since Codes Cleared: Distance traveled since engine codes were cleared. Clearing non-engine codes (e.g., ABS) does not reset this value.
Warm-ups Since Codes Cleared: Number of engine warm-up cycles since codes were last cleared. A warm-up cycle is defined by a coolant temperature increase of at least 22°C/40°F after startup and reaching at least 70°C/170°F (or 60°C/140°F for diesel). The counter stops at 255. Clearing non-engine codes does not reset this value.
Fuel & Air Data: Optimizing Engine Efficiency with BlueDriver Gauges
The “Fuel & Air” category in BlueDriver provides critical insights into your engine’s fuel delivery and air intake systems. These bluedriver obd2 gauges are essential for diagnosing fuel efficiency issues, air intake problems, and ensuring optimal engine combustion.
Fuel System Status: This gauge indicates whether your vehicle is running in “open loop” or “closed loop” mode.
- Open loop: The ECM uses pre-programmed air-fuel ratios, ignoring oxygen sensor feedback.
- Closed loop: The ECM uses feedback from oxygen sensors to adjust the air-fuel ratio for optimal combustion.
This gauge reports status for two fuel systems (A & B), representing distinct systems on some vehicles (e.g., CNG & diesel). Most passenger vehicles have only one fuel system.
Oxygen Sensor Voltage: Displays the voltage output of the oxygen sensors. Voltage readings are crucial for interpreting air-fuel mixture richness or leanness. Refer to resources like Walker’s O2 Sensor Training Guide for detailed interpretation.
Oxygen Sensor Equivalence Ratio: Also known as Lambda, this gauge shows the oxygen sensor equivalence ratio. Lambda values indicate the air-fuel mixture relative to the ideal stoichiometric ratio (Lambda = 1).
Oxygen Sensor Current: Similar to voltage, oxygen sensor current provides information about the air-fuel mixture. 0mA indicates a balanced mixture, positive current lean, and negative current rich.
Short Term Fuel Trim: Short-term adjustments to fuel injection rate based on rapid changes detected by oxygen sensors. Negative trim indicates a rich condition (reducing fuel), positive trim a lean condition (increasing fuel). Bank number refers to engine side, and sensor number (1 vs 2) indicates pre- or post-catalytic converter sensor. Short-term trim works in conjunction with long-term fuel trim.
Long Term Fuel Trim: Long-term, learned adjustments to fuel injection, reacting more slowly to changes. Similar bank and sensor number designations as short-term fuel trim. Both short and long term fuel trim are vital for diagnosing fuel delivery and air intake problems.
This image visually represents long term fuel trim data as displayed within the BlueDriver app, highlighting its importance for diagnosing fuel system adaptations and potential issues.
Commanded Equivalence Ratio: The fuel-air ratio requested by the ECM, displayed as a Lambda value. >1 is lean, <1 is rich, ~1 is ideal. Vehicles with wide-range O2 sensors display this in both open and closed loop. Conventional O2 sensor vehicles show it in open loop only, displaying 1.0 in closed loop.
Mass Air Flow Rate: The rate of air flowing through the intake, in g/s or lb/min. On turbocharged vehicles, the MAF sensor is upstream of the turbo.
Intake Air Temperature: Temperature of the air entering the intake. Turbocharged vehicles may have two IAT sensors: #1 before and #2 after the turbo. Dual intake systems may report data for banks 1 and 2. Intake temperature should be slightly above ambient air temperature.
Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure: Pressure inside the intake manifold. For turbocharged applications, this is pressure after the turbo/intercooler. It’s an absolute pressure value. At idle, it’s slightly below ambient pressure (vacuum). Key-on engine-off, it reads ambient pressure. To get gauge pressure (boost), subtract ambient pressure.
Fuel Pressure (Gauge): Fuel pressure value, displayed as a gauge pressure (relative to atmospheric pressure). 0 indicates atmospheric pressure.
Fuel Rail Pressure: Pressure in the fuel rail, displayed as a gauge pressure.
Fuel Rail Pressure (Absolute): Pressure in the fuel rail, displayed as an absolute pressure. When not pressurized, it reads ambient pressure.
Fuel Rail Pressure (relative to manifold vacuum): Fuel pressure relative to intake manifold vacuum.
Alcohol Fuel %: Ethanol/alcohol content in fuel, as measured by the ECM, in percentage. E85 fuel would show 85%.
Fuel Level Input: Percentage of maximum fuel tank capacity.
Engine Fuel Rate: Near-instantaneous fuel consumption rate, in Liters or Gallons per hour. Calculated by the ECM based on fuel used in the last 1000ms. Does not include fuel used by diesel aftertreatment systems.
Cylinder Fuel Rate: Calculated fuel injected per cylinder during the most recent intake stroke, in mg/stroke.
Fuel System Percentage Use: Percentage of total fuel usage for each cylinder bank (up to four banks). Can also display data for two separate fuel systems (e.g., diesel & CNG).
Fuel Injection Timing: Angle of crankshaft rotation before TDC when fuel injector operation begins. Positive angle is before TDC, negative angle after TDC.
Fuel System Control: Status information for diesel fuel systems (1 & 2 if supported):
- Fuel pressure control: Closed or open loop.
- Fuel injection quantity: Closed or open loop.
- Fuel injection timing: Closed or open loop.
- Idle fuel balance/contribution: Closed or open loop.
Closed loop indicates sensor feedback is used.
Fuel Pressure Control System: Data for up to two fuel rails:
- Commanded rail pressure
- Actual rail pressure
- Temperature
Pressure is gauge pressure.
Injection Pressure Control System: For diesels using high-pressure oil injection (HEUI), this shows:
- Commanded Control Pressure Rail A
- Actual Pressure Rail A
- Commanded Control Pressure Rail B
- Actual Pressure Rail B
ICP sensor monitors oil pressure in the high-pressure oil system.
Boost Pressure Control: For turbocharged vehicles, shows data for one or two turbos:
- ECM commanded boost pressure
- Actual boost pressure
All data is absolute pressure. Gauge boost pressure is absolute pressure minus atmospheric pressure. Also reports boost control system operating mode (Open Loop, Closed Loop, Fault Present).
Turbocharger RPM: Measured turbine RPM of one or both turbos. Maximum value is 655,350 rpm.
Turbocharger Temperature: Data for one or two turbos:
- Compressor inlet temperature (pre-turbo)
- Compressor outlet temperature (post-turbo, should be higher)
- Turbine inlet temperature (pre-turbine)
- Turbine outlet temperature (post-turbine)
Charge air temperatures range from -40 to 215 degC, exhaust temperatures -40 to 6513.5 degC.
Turbocharger Compressor Inlet Pressure Sensor: Pressure measured at the turbo inlet, for one or two turbos. Absolute pressure value, ambient pressure is roughly 14.7 psi / 101.3 kPa.
Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) Control: For vehicles with VGTs, data related to vane position:
- Commanded VGT Position (vane position requested)
- Actual VGT Vane Position
- VGT Control Status: Closed or Open Loop, or Fault State.
0% VGT position is maximum bypass, 100% redirects maximum exhaust gas for boost.
Wastegate Control: For electronic wastegate systems:
- Commanded wastegate position (0% fully closed, 100% maximum bypass)
- Actual wastegate position (0% to 100%)
Charge Air Cooler Temperature (CACT): Temperature of intercooler air charge for turbocharged vehicles, with up to four sensors:
- Bank 1 Sensor 1
- Bank 1 Sensor 2
- Bank 2 Sensor 1
- Bank 2 Sensor 2
SAE/OBDII standard doesn’t specify sensor mapping; factory manual may be needed.
Emissions Control Equipment Information: Monitoring Environmental Impact with BlueDriver
The “Emissions Control” category within BlueDriver provides valuable data related to your vehicle’s systems designed to reduce harmful emissions. These bluedriver obd2 gauges are crucial for ensuring your vehicle is environmentally compliant and for diagnosing issues within the emissions control system.
Commanded EGR: The requested opening percentage of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve by the ECM. 0% is fully closed, 100% fully open.
EGR Error: The percentage difference between commanded and actual EGR valve opening. Special Note: If commanded EGR is 0%, EGR error will be 0% if actual EGR is also 0%, and 99.2% if actual EGR is not 0%, indicating “undefined” or not applicable. EGR error is calculated as (actual – commanded)/commanded.
Commanded Diesel Intake Air Flow Control: Also known as EGR Throttle, used in some newer diesels to create intake vacuum for EGR. Shows:
- Commanded position of intake air flow throttle plate (closed to 100% open)
- Actual position of EGR throttle
- Commanded position of secondary EGR throttle (if fitted)
- Actual position of secondary EGR throttle
Exhaust Gas Recirculation Temperature: Up to four EGR temperature values:
- EGRTA – Bank 1 Pre-Cooler
- EGRTB – Bank 1 Post-Cooler
- EGRTC – Bank 2 Pre-Cooler
- EGRTD – Bank 2 Post-Cooler
EVAP System Vapor Pressure: Gauge pressure of the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system, measured in the fuel tank or evap line.
Absolute Evap System Vapor Pressure: Absolute pressure of the EVAP system. 14.7 psi or 101.3 kPa indicates 0 gauge pressure.
Commanded Evaporative Purge: EVAP purge flow rate requested by the ECM. 0% fully closed, 100% maximum.
Catalyst Temperature: Temperature of the catalytic converter. Bank # indicates engine side, Sensor # (1 or 2) indicates pre- or post-catalyst sensor.
Diesel Aftertreatment Status: Information about the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and NOx adsorber systems:
- Current DPF Regeneration Status: Active/Not Active.
- Current DPF Regeneration Type: Passive/Active.
- NOx Adsorber Regen Status: Active/Not Active.
- NOx Adsorber Desulferization Status: Active/Not Active.
- Normalized Trigger for DPF Regen: Percentage until next regen (0% = just completed, 100% = about to start).
- Average Time Between DPF Regens: Exponential weighted moving average time over last 6 regens.
- Average Distance Between DPF Regens: Exponential weighted moving average distance over last 6 regens.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Sensor Data: Information about Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system:
- DEF Type: Urea too high, Urea too low, Straight diesel, Proper DEF, Sensor fault.
- DEF Concentration: Urea concentration (should be ~32.5% for proper DEF).
- DEF Tank Temperature.
- DEF Tank Level: May not be progressive; see NOx Control System for details.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF): Up to three datapoints:
- Inlet pressure
- Outlet pressure
- Differential pressure across the DPF.
Increased differential pressure indicates soot accumulation. Bank 1 vs 2 indicates engine side.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Temperature: Up to two datapoints per exhaust bank:
- Inlet temperature
- Outlet temperature
Bank 1 vs 2 indicates engine side.
NOx Sensor: NOx concentration levels in ppm for up to four sensors:
- Bank 1 Sensor 1
- Bank 1 Sensor 2
- Bank 2 Sensor 1
- Bank 2 Sensor 2
Bank # indicates engine side, Sensor # (1 or 2) indicates pre- or post-NOx adsorber system.
NOx Control System: Data on the NOx adsorption system:
- Average Reagent Consumption Rate: Over previous 48 hours or last 15L consumed. 0 with key on, engine off.
- Average Demanded Consumption Rate: ECM commanded rate. 0 with key on, engine off.
- Reagent Tank Level: 0-100%. May not be progressive. Tank level reporting behavior described in detail.
- NOx Warning Indicator Time: Engine run time in seconds since NOx/SCR warning light activated. Stops increasing when light goes out or at 136 years max. Resets if light comes back on or after 9600 engine-hours without light.
NOx Sensor Corrected Data: NOx concentration in PPM, including learned adjustments and offsets.
NOx NTE Control Area Status: Status related to NOx “not to exceed control area” for emissions testing:
- Whether vehicle is operating inside or outside NOx control area.
- Whether vehicle is in manufacturer’s “carve-out” region (exemption).
- Whether vehicle has NTE-related deficiency within control area.
PM Sensor Bank 1 & 2: Data for Particulate Matter (PM) sensors:
- Particulate matter sensor active: yes/no.
- Particulate matter sensor regenerating: yes/no.
- Particulate matter sensor value: 0% (clean) to 100% (regen required).
Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor: Soot concentration measured by PM sensors on banks 1 & 2, in mg/m3.
PM NTE Control Area Status: Status related to PM “not to exceed control area” for emissions testing:
- Whether vehicle is operating inside or outside PM control area.
- Whether vehicle is in manufacturer’s “carve-out” region (exemption).
- Whether vehicle has NTE-related deficiency within control area.
SCR Inducement System: Status of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) inducement, strategies to alert drivers to SCR system issues:
- Current SCR inducement status: on or off.
- Reasons for activation (low reagent, incorrect reagent, abnormal consumption, excessive NOx).
- Whether any of the above occurred in the last 0-10k km, 10-20k km, 20-30k km, 30-40k km.
- Total distance traveled in each 10k km block with inducement active (vehicle dependent).
NOx Warning And Inducement System: Information on warning/inducement levels (Level 1 – low, Level 2 – medium, Level 3 – severe):
- Status for each level: Inactive, Enabled but not active, Active, Not supported.
- Total engine hours using incorrect reagent.
- Total engine hours with incorrect reagent consumption rate.
- Total engine hours with interrupted reagent dosing (AECD).
- Total engine hours with active DTC for incorrect EGR operation.
- Total engine hours with active DTC for incorrect NOx control equipment operation.
Engine Run Time for AECD: Engine run time during which Emissions Increasing Auxiliary Emissions Control Devices (AECD) were active. AECDs are permitted systems that can temporarily disable emissions controls under specific conditions.
- TIME1: Total engine run time AECD active.
- TIME2: Max value (136 years) if not used.
- If two timers used: TIME1 = run time with up to 75% emissions control inhibition, TIME2 = run time with >75% inhibition.
Timers cannot be reset by scan tool or battery disconnect.
By understanding these comprehensive bluedriver obd2 gauges, you gain unprecedented insight into your vehicle’s operation. From engine performance to emissions control, BlueDriver empowers you to diagnose problems, monitor health, and ensure your car is running at its best. Whether you’re a seasoned technician or a car owner keen on understanding their vehicle, BlueDriver’s detailed live data is an invaluable asset.
