When it comes to diagnosing your vehicle’s health, OBD2 scanners like BlueDriver are invaluable tools. They provide access to a wealth of real-time data, helping you understand what’s happening under the hood. A common question for many users is, “How Old Of A Vehicle Will Bluedriver Obd2 Read?”. This article will delve into the compatibility of BlueDriver with different vehicle years, ensuring you know what to expect when using this scan tool on your car, truck, or SUV.
BlueDriver is designed to be compatible with all OBD2 compliant vehicles. But what does OBD2 compliance mean in terms of vehicle age? In the United States, OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) became mandatory for all cars and light trucks manufactured from 1996 onwards. This standardization was part of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, aimed at reducing vehicle emissions. Therefore, if your vehicle is a 1996 model or newer, it is highly likely to be OBD2 compliant and compatible with BlueDriver.
However, compatibility isn’t solely determined by the year of manufacture. While the OBD2 standard provides a baseline, actual support for specific data points can vary depending on the vehicle’s make, model, and year. Even within the OBD2 compliant range (1996 and newer), older vehicles may support a more limited set of live data parameters compared to newer models.
To get a clearer picture of what kind of data BlueDriver can access from your vehicle, it’s helpful to understand the range of parameters it is capable of reading. Below is a comprehensive list of standard OBD2 live data accessible through BlueDriver. Keep in mind that the availability of these specific datapoints is subject to your vehicle’s year and model. BlueDriver provides a Compatibility Tool on their website where you can check the specific compatibility for your vehicle.
Vehicle Operation Parameters
This category includes fundamental data related to the engine and vehicle’s running condition.
| Datapoint | Description |
|---|---|
| Engine RPM | Measures the engine speed in revolutions per minute, crucial for understanding engine performance and idle stability. |
| Vehicle Speed | Displays the current speed of the vehicle, typically derived from wheel speed sensors. |
| Engine Coolant Temperature | Monitors the temperature of the engine coolant, essential for preventing overheating. Some vehicles may have a second sensor (ECT 2) at a different location. |
| Engine Oil Temperature | Indicates the temperature of the engine oil, important for engine lubrication and longevity. Sensor location can vary by vehicle. |
| Ambient Air Temperature | Measures the air temperature outside the vehicle, which can affect engine performance and efficiency. |
| Barometric Pressure | Displays the atmospheric pressure around the vehicle. This value is absolute and varies with altitude and weather conditions. |
| Accelerator Pedal Position | Indicates the position of the accelerator pedal. There may be multiple sensors (D, E, F) for redundancy and accuracy. |
| Relative Accelerator Pedal Position | Adjusted accelerator pedal position, accounting for the vehicle’s learned behavior. May not always reach 100% at full pedal press. |
| Commanded Throttle Actuator | The throttle position requested by the Engine Control Module (ECM) based on accelerator input. |
| Relative Throttle Position | Throttle position relative to the learned closed position, compensating for carbon buildup or other factors affecting throttle behavior over time. |
| Absolute Throttle Position | The actual opening of the throttle valve, from 0% (closed) to 100% (fully open). May have multiple sensors (TPS A/1, B/2, C/3, D/4). |
| Control Module Voltage | Voltage supplied to the Engine Control Module, reflecting battery voltage (engine off) or alternator voltage (engine on). |
| Hybrid Battery Pack Remaining Life | State of Charge (SOC) of the hybrid battery pack in hybrid and electric vehicles. Individual cell data is not available via standard OBD2. |
| Hybrid/EV Vehicle System Status | Reports various hybrid/EV system states: Charging state (Charge Sustaining Mode or Charge Depletion Mode), Battery Voltage, and Battery Current. |
| Calculated Engine Load Value | Percentage of maximum engine torque being produced. 100% indicates Wide Open Throttle (WOT). |
| Absolute Load Value | Normalized value representing air mass intake per intake stroke as a percentage, ranging from 0% to 25,700%. Naturally aspirated engines typically show 0-95%, while boosted engines can reach up to 400%. |
| Driver’s Demand Engine – Percent Torque | Percentage of maximum torque requested by the ECM based on driver input (accelerator, cruise control) and transmission. |
| Actual Engine – Percent Torque | Current percentage of total available engine torque, including brake torque and friction torque. |
| Engine Friction – Percent Torque | Percentage of maximum torque required to overcome engine friction and run at no load, including internal components, fuel, oil, water pump, etc. |
| Engine Reference Torque | Factory-set engine torque rating, used as the 100% reference point for torque-related parameters. Does not account for wear, aging, or modifications. |
| Engine Percent Torque Data | Allows for multiple maximum torque ratings based on vehicle/environmental conditions (e.g., altitude). Up to five ratings can be specified. |
| Auxiliary Input/Output | Composite datapoint reporting Power Take Off Status, Automatic/Manual Transmission Status, Glow Plug Lamp Status, and Recommended Transmission Gear (rarely supported). |
| Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) | Temperature of exhaust gases at various points in the exhaust system (pre/post turbo, pre/post cat, post DPF, post NOx control). Sensor locations vary by vehicle. |
| Engine Exhaust Flow Rate | Exhaust flow rate measured upstream of the aftertreatment system. |
| Exhaust Pressure | Absolute exhaust pressure, should read ambient atmospheric pressure when the engine is off. Sensor locations vary. |
| Manifold Surface Temperature | Temperature of the outer surface of the exhaust manifold. |
| Timing Advance for #1 cylinder | Spark timing advance (in degrees BTDC) for cylinder #1. Positive values are before TDC, negative values are after TDC. |
| Engine Run Time | Reports total engine run time, total idle time, and total run time with PTO engaged (if equipped). |
| Run Time Since Engine Start | Engine run time since the last engine start. |
| Time Run with MIL On | Engine run time since the Check Engine Light (MIL) was activated. Timer stops at 65,535 minutes (approx. 45 engine-days). Continues to increment with ignition on for hybrids/start-stop vehicles. |
| Distance Traveled while MIL is Activated | Distance driven since the Check Engine Light was last illuminated. Resets when codes are cleared. |
| Time since Trouble Codes Cleared | Engine run time since trouble codes were last cleared. Timer stops at 65,535 minutes (approx. 45 engine-days). Continues to increment with ignition on for hybrids/start-stop vehicles. |
| Distance Traveled Since Codes Cleared | Distance traveled since engine codes were cleared. Does not reset for non-engine code clearing (e.g., ABS). |
| Warm-ups Since Codes Cleared | Number of engine warm-up cycles since codes were cleared. A warm-up cycle involves a coolant temperature increase of at least 22°C/40°F and reaching 70°C/170°F (60°C/140°F for diesel). Counter stops at 255. |
Fuel & Air Data
This category provides insights into the fuel delivery and air intake systems, critical for engine efficiency and emissions.
| Datapoint | Description |
|---|---|
| Fuel System Status | Indicates whether the vehicle is running in open or closed loop fuel control mode. Open loop uses pre-programmed air-fuel ratios, closed loop uses O2 sensor feedback. |
| Oxygen Sensor Voltage | Voltage output of the oxygen sensors, reflecting the air-fuel mixture. Refer to resources for O2 sensor interpretation. |
| Oxygen Sensor Equivalence Ratio | Oxygen sensor equivalence ratio (Lambda), another way to represent air-fuel mixture (Lambda=1 is ideal). |
| Oxygen Sensor Current | Current flow in oxygen sensors, 0mA is balanced, positive is lean, negative is rich mixture. |
| Short Term Fuel Trim | Real-time adjustments to fuel injection rate based on rapid O2 sensor feedback. Negative trim is rich, positive is lean. Bank and sensor numbers indicate engine side and sensor location (pre/post cat). |
| Long Term Fuel Trim | Learned fuel injection adjustments over time, reacting slower than short-term trim. Bank and sensor numbers as above. |
| Commanded Equivalence Ratio | Target air-fuel ratio requested by the ECM, displayed as Lambda. Varies based on O2 sensor type (wide range vs. conventional). |
| Mass Air Flow Rate | Airflow rate through the intake, measured by the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. |
| Intake Air Temperature | Temperature of intake air. Turbocharged vehicles may have multiple sensors (pre/post turbo, banks 1 & 2). |
| Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure | Absolute pressure inside the intake manifold, indicating vacuum at idle and boost pressure in turbocharged applications. |
| Fuel Pressure (Gauge) | Fuel pressure relative to atmospheric pressure (gauge pressure). |
| Fuel Rail Pressure | Fuel pressure in the fuel rail, gauge pressure. |
| Fuel Rail Pressure (Absolute) | Fuel pressure in the fuel rail, absolute pressure. Shows ambient pressure when not pressurized. |
| Fuel Rail Pressure (relative to manifold vacuum) | Fuel pressure relative to intake manifold pressure. |
| Alcohol Fuel % | Ethanol/alcohol content in fuel, measured by the ECM. |
| Fuel Level Input | Percentage of fuel tank capacity remaining. |
| Engine Fuel Rate | Instantaneous fuel consumption rate. Does not include fuel used by diesel aftertreatment systems. |
| Cylinder Fuel Rate | Calculated fuel injected per cylinder per intake stroke. |
| Fuel System Percentage Use | Percentage of total fuel usage per cylinder bank. |
| Fuel Injection Timing | Fuel injector start timing (degrees BTDC). |
| Fuel System Control | Status of fuel pressure, injection quantity, injection timing, and idle fuel balance control loops for diesel vehicles (open/closed loop). |
| Fuel Pressure Control System | Commanded, actual, and temperature data for up to two fuel rails. |
| Injection Pressure Control System | Commanded and actual pressure for up to two oil rails in diesel High-Pressure Oil Injection (HEUI) systems. |
| Boost Pressure Control | Commanded and actual boost pressure for up to two turbochargers, in absolute pressure. Operating mode (open/closed loop, fault) is also reported. |
| Turbocharger RPM | Turbine RPM of one or both turbochargers. Maximum value is 655,350 rpm. |
| Turbocharger Temperature | Temperatures at various points in the turbocharger(s): compressor inlet/outlet, turbine inlet/outlet. |
| Turbocharger Compressor Inlet Pressure Sensor | Absolute pressure at the turbocharger inlet(s). |
| Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) Control | Commanded and actual VGT vane position, and control status (open/closed loop, fault). |
| Wastegate Control | Commanded and actual wastegate position for electronic wastegate systems, 0-100%. |
| Charge Air Cooler Temperature (CACT) | Intercooler air charge temperature for up to four sensors (banks 1 & 2, sensor 1 & 2). Sensor mapping may vary. |
Emissions Control Equipment Information
This section focuses on data from the vehicle’s emission control systems, crucial for diagnosing emission-related issues.
| Datapoint | Description |
|---|---|
| Commanded EGR | Target opening percentage of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. |
| EGR Error | Percentage difference between commanded and actual EGR valve opening. Special note on interpretation when commanded EGR is 0%. |
| Commanded Diesel Intake Air Flow Control | Commanded and actual position of EGR throttle plate(s) in newer diesels using intake vacuum for EGR. |
| Exhaust Gas Recirculation Temperature | Up to four EGR temperature values: pre-cooler and post-cooler for banks 1 & 2. |
| EVAP System Vapor Pressure | Gauge pressure in the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system. |
| Absolute Evap System Vapor Pressure | Absolute pressure in the EVAP system. |
| Commanded Evaporative Purge | Target purge flow rate for the EVAP system. |
| Catalyst Temperature | Temperature of the catalytic converter(s), bank and sensor numbers indicate engine side and sensor location (pre/post cat). |
| Diesel Aftertreatment Status | Reports status of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration (active/passive/forced), NOx Adsorber regeneration/desulfurization, and normalized trigger for DPF regen. |
| Diesel Exhaust Fluid Sensor Data | DEF fluid type, concentration, tank temperature, and tank level. Tank level reporting may be discrete. |
| Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) | Inlet pressure, outlet pressure, and differential pressure across the DPF. Differential pressure indicates soot accumulation. |
| Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Temperature | Inlet and outlet temperatures for the DPF on each exhaust bank. |
| NOx Sensor | NOx concentration levels (ppm) from up to four sensors (banks 1 & 2, pre/post NOx adsorber). |
| NOx Control System | Average Reagent Consumption Rate, Average Demanded Consumption Rate, Reagent Tank Level, and NOx Warning Indicator Time for NOx reduction systems. |
| NOx Sensor Corrected Data | NOx concentration with learned adjustments and offsets applied. |
| NOx NTE Control Area Status | Status of vehicle operation within or outside the NOx “not to exceed control area”, manufacturer carve-out areas, and NTE related deficiencies. |
| PM Sensor Bank 1 & 2 | Particulate Matter (PM) sensor status (active/regenerating) and value (0-100%). |
| Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor | Soot concentration (mg/m3) measured by PM sensors. |
| PM NTE Control Area Status | Status of vehicle operation within or outside the PM “not to exceed control area”, manufacturer carve-out areas, and PM related deficiencies. |
| SCR Inducement System | SCR inducement status (on/off), reasons for activation, and historical inducement events in 10,000 km intervals. |
| NOx Warning And Inducement System | Warning/inducement levels (Level 1/2/3) and their status (inactive/enabled/active/not supported), and total engine hours with various NOx control system issues. |
| Engine Run Time for AECD | Total engine run time for each Emissions Increasing Auxiliary Emissions Control Device (AECD) in seconds. May have two timers per AECD indicating different levels of emission control inhibition. |
While BlueDriver is broadly compatible with OBD2 vehicles from 1996 and newer, it’s crucial to remember that the depth of data access can vary. Newer vehicles generally offer more extensive data sets due to advancements in automotive technology and stricter emissions regulations. For older OBD2 vehicles, BlueDriver will still provide valuable diagnostic information, but the range of live data parameters might be somewhat limited compared to the comprehensive list detailed above.
To definitively answer “how old of a vehicle will BlueDriver OBD2 read?”, the answer is vehicles from 1996 and newer, with optimal compatibility and data access generally found in more recent models. Always utilize the BlueDriver Compatibility Tool to confirm the specific capabilities for your particular vehicle’s year, make, and model. This will ensure you get the most out of your BlueDriver OBD2 scanner and have a clear understanding of the diagnostic information available to you.
