As a car enthusiast and someone who likes to keep a close eye on my vehicle’s health, I recently invested in the BlueDriver Bluetooth OBD2 scanner. Having heard good things about it, particularly for its enhanced Honda support, I was keen to put it to the test on my brand new Honda. While thankfully no fault codes have appeared yet, I’ve been thoroughly impressed exploring the live data features.
One of the first things I noticed using the BlueDriver was the engine’s operating temperature. According to the ECT1 reading, my Honda engine consistently runs between 80°C and 85°C (176°F to 185°F). This seems a little cooler than other engines I’ve encountered. Interestingly, the dashboard gauge only starts to move at around 55°C (132°F) and reaches its normal position by approximately 75°C (165°F). It also appears the thermostat doesn’t fully open until the engine reaches its operating temperature, as indicated by the ECT2 (radiator coolant) temperature rising only after ECT1 stabilizes.
Another interesting aspect I’ve been monitoring is fuel trims. So far, my short-term fuel trim (STFT) has averaged around -5.5%, and the long-term fuel trim (LTFT) about -8%. These negative values suggest the engine might be running slightly rich. Currently, I’m using E0 fuel, but I recently switched to E10 to see if this makes a positive change to the fuel trims, as some discussions online have suggested.
The BlueDriver app makes it incredibly easy to visualize this data. Below are screenshots from the app showing the live data display while driving. You can also see graphs generated directly from the data. The first graph displays all the live data points I’m monitoring, while the second zooms in specifically on the STFT and LTFT for a clearer view of fuel trim behavior.
Looking ahead, I’m curious to see how these readings change as winter approaches, especially living in a region with very cold winters and frequently making short commutes – conditions that can impact engine performance and fuel efficiency. Overall, my initial experience with the BlueDriver OBD2 scanner has been very positive. It’s a user-friendly tool that provides valuable insights into your vehicle’s real-time data, and I look forward to continuing to explore its capabilities.
