Understanding your vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency is crucial for any car owner. The BlueDriver Bluetooth Professional OBDII Scanner provides unparalleled access to your vehicle’s live data, enabling you to monitor everything from engine RPM to fuel consumption and emissions. This article delves into the wealth of standard OBDII live data parameters accessible through BlueDriver, helping you unlock insights into your vehicle’s operation and optimize your miles per gallon (MPG).
Please note that the actual data support varies depending on your vehicle’s year and model. To ensure compatibility and see which data points your vehicle supports, utilize the Compatibility Tool available on the BlueDriver website.
Decoding Vehicle Operation Parameters for Enhanced Performance
The BlueDriver OBDII scanner offers a comprehensive suite of vehicle operation parameters, providing real-time insights into your engine’s health and performance. These data points are essential for diagnosing issues and understanding how your driving habits impact your vehicle.
Engine RPM and Vehicle Speed
Engine RPM (Revolutions Per Minute): This fundamental parameter measures how fast your engine’s crankshaft is rotating. Monitoring RPM is crucial for understanding engine load and performance at different speeds and driving conditions.
Vehicle Speed: Provides an accurate reading of your vehicle’s current speed, directly from the engine control module.
Temperature Monitoring: Coolant, Oil, and Ambient Air
Engine Coolant Temperature: Essential for preventing overheating, this reading indicates the temperature of your engine’s coolant. BlueDriver may also report a second coolant temperature sensor (ECT 2) on some vehicles, providing even more detailed thermal insights. Consult your vehicle’s manual for sensor locations.
Engine Oil Temperature: Monitoring oil temperature is vital for engine lubrication and longevity. The sensor location can vary, often situated near the oil filter.
Ambient Air Temperature: This sensor measures the air temperature outside your vehicle, typically a few degrees cooler than the intake temperature. This data is useful for understanding environmental conditions affecting engine performance.
Pressure Readings: Barometric and Manifold Pressure
Barometric Pressure: Reflects the atmospheric pressure around your vehicle. This absolute value reading is influenced by altitude and weather conditions, typically around 14.7 psi at sea level.
Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP): Measures the pressure inside the intake manifold. For turbocharged vehicles, this reading is post-turbo and intercooler. Understanding MAP helps diagnose vacuum leaks and boost performance in forced induction engines. At idle, it should be lower than barometric pressure, indicating vacuum.
Accelerator and Throttle Position
Accelerator Pedal Position: BlueDriver can display readings from up to three accelerator pedal position sensors (D, E, F), showing the precise position of your pedal input.
Relative Accelerator Pedal Position: Adjusts the accelerator pedal position based on the vehicle’s learned driving behavior. This value may be an average of multiple sensors and might not always reach 100% at full pedal press due to scaling.
Commanded Throttle Actuator: Indicates the throttle position requested by the ECM based on your accelerator input.
Relative Throttle Position: Shows throttle position relative to the learned closed position. Carbon buildup can affect throttle behavior over time, and this reading compensates for such changes, displaying 0% even if the absolute throttle position is slightly open.
Absolute Throttle Position: Indicates the actual opening of the throttle, from 0% (closed) to 100% (fully open). BlueDriver may display data from up to four throttle position sensors (TPS A/1, TPS B/2, TPS C/3, TPS D/4) depending on the vehicle.
Voltage and Hybrid/EV System Status
Control Module Voltage: Displays the input voltage at the Engine Control Module (ECM). Shows battery voltage when the engine is off and alternator voltage when the engine is running.
Hybrid Battery Pack Remaining Life: Also known as State of Charge (SOC), this parameter shows the remaining charge percentage in hybrid vehicle battery packs. Individual cell data is not available through standard OBDII.
Hybrid/EV Vehicle System Status: Provides crucial status information for hybrid and electric vehicles, including:
- Hybrid/EV charging state: Charge Sustaining Mode (CSM) or Charge Depletion Mode (CDM). Non-PHEVs will always display CSM.
- Hybrid/EV Battery Voltage: 0 to 1024V.
- Hybrid/EV Battery Current: -3300 to 3300 Amps, negative values indicate charging.
Engine Load and Torque Data
Calculated Engine Load Value: Represents the percentage of maximum available engine torque being produced. 100% indicates Wide Open Throttle (WOT), while 0% is key on engine off.
Absolute Load Value: Normalized value representing air mass intake per intake stroke as a percentage. Naturally aspirated engines typically range from 0-95%, while turbo/supercharged engines can reach up to 400%.
Driver’s Demand Engine – Percent Torque: Percentage of maximum torque requested by the ECM based on accelerator pedal, cruise control, and transmission inputs. External factors like traction control do not influence this value.
Actual Engine – Percent Torque: Also known as Indicated Torque, this parameter displays the 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 (internal components, fuel, oil, water pump, air intake, exhaust, alternator, emissions control). Does not include power steering, AC, or braking systems.
Engine Reference Torque: The factory-set torque rating of the engine, considered 100% for torque percentage parameters. It does not reflect changes due to wear, upgrades, or tuning.
Engine Percent Torque Data: Used when reference torque changes due to conditions like altitude or fuel mapping. Up to five different maximum torque ratings can be specified.
Auxiliary and Exhaust Parameters
Auxiliary Input/Output: A composite datapoint reporting various statuses if supported, including Power Take Off (PTO) status, Transmission Status (Automatic/Manual), Glow Plug Lamp Status, and Recommended Transmission Gear. Support for this is rare, with most vehicles using enhanced data for transmission status.
Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT): BlueDriver can report EGT from multiple sensors per exhaust bank (Post-turbo, Post-cat, Post-DPF, etc.), depending on vehicle configuration. Consult your factory manual for specific sensor locations.
Engine Exhaust Flow Rate: Measures exhaust flow rate upstream of the aftertreatment system in kg/hr or lbs/hr, averaged over 1000ms.
Exhaust Pressure: Displays exhaust pressure as an absolute value. At engine off, it should read ambient atmospheric pressure. May report data from one or two exhaust banks depending on configuration.
Manifold Surface Temperature: Temperature of the outer surface of the exhaust manifold.
Timing and Run Time Parameters
Timing Advance for #1 cylinder: Spark timing advance for cylinder #1 in degrees Before Top Dead Center (BTDC). Negative values indicate firing after TDC, positive values before TDC.
Engine Run Time: Reports total engine run time, total idle time, and total run time with PTO engaged (if equipped). Idle time is defined by specific conditions like no throttle input, low RPM, and low vehicle speed.
Run Time Since Engine Start: 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. Stops increasing at 65,535 minutes (roughly 45 days). Continues to increase with ignition on in hybrids/stop-start vehicles, even if the engine is off.
Distance Traveled while MIL is Activated: Distance driven since the MIL illuminated. Resets when codes are cleared or battery disconnected.
Time since Trouble Codes Cleared: Engine run time since codes were last cleared. Stops increasing at 65,535 minutes. Continues to increase with ignition on in hybrids/stop-start vehicles.
Distance Traveled Since Codes Cleared: Distance traveled since engine codes were cleared. Non-engine code clearing does not reset this value.
Warm-ups Since Codes Cleared: Number of engine warm-up cycles since codes were cleared. A warm-up cycle is defined by coolant temperature increase and reaching a minimum temperature. Counter stops at 255. Non-engine code clearing does not reset this value.
Fuel & Air Data: Optimizing MPG with BlueDriver
Monitoring fuel and air data is critical for maximizing your vehicle’s MPG and ensuring efficient engine operation. BlueDriver provides detailed insights into these parameters, helping you identify potential issues affecting fuel economy.
Fuel System Status and Oxygen Sensors
Fuel System Status: Indicates whether your vehicle is running in ‘open’ or ‘closed’ loop mode. Closed loop uses O2 sensor feedback for air-fuel ratio adjustment, crucial for efficiency and emissions. Open loop uses pre-programmed ratios. Most vehicles have one fuel system (A), with system B typically reporting open loop at all times.
Oxygen Sensor Voltage, Equivalence Ratio, and Current: BlueDriver provides comprehensive O2 sensor data, including voltage, equivalence ratio (Lambda), and current. These readings are vital for understanding air-fuel mixture and catalytic converter efficiency. Refer to Walker’s O2 Sensor Training Guide for in-depth interpretation.
Fuel Trim: Short Term and Long Term
Short Term Fuel Trim (STFT): Real-time adjustments to fuel injection based on rapid O2 sensor data changes. Negative trim indicates a rich condition (too much fuel), positive trim a lean condition (too little fuel).
Long Term Fuel Trim (LTFT): Reflects learned fuel adjustments over time, reacting less readily to sudden changes. Combined with STFT for net injection rate correction. Note that post-cat sensor fuel trim may display as 99.2% on some vehicles.
Image showing an example of Long Term Fuel Trim data displayed in the BlueDriver app.
Air Flow and Pressure Measurements
Commanded Equivalence Ratio: The fuel:air ratio requested by the ECM, displayed as Lambda. >1 is lean, <1 is rich, ~1 is ideal. Vehicles with wide range O2 sensors show this in both open and closed loop; conventional O2 sensor vehicles show it only in open loop, displaying 1.0 in closed loop.
Mass Air Flow Rate (MAF): Measures the rate of air entering the intake in g/s or lb/min. On turbocharged vehicles, the MAF sensor is upstream of the turbo.
Intake Air Temperature (IAT): Temperature of air entering the intake. Turbocharged vehicles may have multiple IAT sensors (pre-turbo and post-turbo). Intake temperature should be slightly above ambient air temperature in normal operation.
Fuel Pressure (Gauge), Rail Pressure (Gauge & Absolute), and Rail Pressure (relative to manifold vacuum): BlueDriver provides various fuel pressure readings, including gauge and absolute pressures in the fuel rail, and pressure relative to manifold vacuum. These parameters are crucial for diagnosing fuel delivery issues.
Fuel Composition and Consumption
Alcohol Fuel %: Ethanol/alcohol content percentage measured by the engine computer, useful for flex-fuel vehicles.
Fuel Level Input: Percentage of maximum fuel tank capacity.
Engine Fuel Rate: Near-instantaneous fuel consumption in Liters or Gallons per hour, calculated by the ECM. Does not include fuel used by diesel aftertreatment systems.
Cylinder Fuel Rate: Fuel injected per cylinder per intake stroke in mg/stroke.
Fuel System Percentage Use: Percentage of total fuel usage per cylinder bank, up to four banks. Can display data for separate fuel systems (diesel & CNG).
Fuel Injection Timing: Crankshaft angle BTDC at which fuel injection begins. Positive angle is before TDC, negative after TDC.
Diesel Fuel System Controls and Boost Pressure
Fuel System Control (Diesel): Reports status of fuel pressure, injection quantity, injection timing, and idle fuel balance control loops for diesel vehicles. Closed loop indicates sensor feedback usage.
Fuel Pressure Control System: Displays commanded and actual rail pressure and temperature for up to two fuel rails on diesel engines.
Injection Pressure Control System (Diesel): For diesels with high-pressure oil injection, displays commanded and actual control pressure for up to two rails.
Boost Pressure Control: For turbocharged vehicles, displays ECM commanded and actual boost pressure in absolute pressure. Also reports boost control system operating mode (Open Loop, Closed Loop, Fault Present). Remember to subtract ambient pressure to get gauge boost pressure.
Turbocharger Parameters
Turbocharger RPM: Measures turbine RPM of one or both turbos. Maximum reading is 655,350 rpm.
Turbocharger Temperature: Reports compressor inlet/outlet and turbine inlet/outlet temperatures for one or both turbos.
Turbocharger Compressor Inlet Pressure Sensor: Pressure at the turbocharger inlet in absolute pressure.
Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) Control: Displays commanded and actual VGT vane position and control status (Open/Closed Loop, Fault State). VGT vanes optimize turbo performance across RPM ranges.
Wastegate Control: For electronic wastegate systems, displays commanded and actual wastegate position (0-100%) and control status. Wastegates prevent overboost.
Charge Air Cooler Temperature (CACT): Temperature of the intercooler air charge, with up to four sensors reported for different banks and sensor locations.
Emissions Control Equipment Information: Maintaining a Clean Vehicle
BlueDriver also provides access to emissions control data, allowing you to monitor the systems designed to keep your vehicle environmentally friendly. Understanding these parameters can help you address issues proactively and ensure your vehicle meets emissions standards.
EGR System Monitoring
Commanded EGR: Percentage opening of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve as requested by the ECM (0% closed, 100% open). EGR reduces NOx emissions by recirculating exhaust gas into the intake.
EGR Error: Percentage difference between commanded and actual EGR opening. Note special behavior when commanded EGR is 0%.
Commanded Diesel Intake Air Flow Control (EGR Throttle): For newer diesels, displays commanded and actual position of the intake air flow throttle plate (EGR throttle), used to create intake vacuum for EGR flow.
Exhaust Gas Recirculation Temperature (EGRT): Reports up to four EGR temperature values (Pre-Cooler and Post-Cooler for Bank 1 and Bank 2).
EVAP System Data
EVAP System Vapor Pressure & Absolute Evap System Vapor Pressure: Gauge and absolute pressure readings of the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system, measured in the fuel tank or EVAP line.
Commanded Evaporative Purge: EVAP purge flow rate requested by the ECM (0% closed, 100% maximum). EVAP system prevents fuel vapor release into the atmosphere.
Catalyst and Aftertreatment Temperatures
Catalyst Temperature: Temperature of the catalytic converter, reported for different banks and sensor locations (pre and post cat). Catalytic converters reduce harmful emissions in the exhaust.
Diesel Aftertreatment Status: A hybrid datapoint reporting various statuses of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and NOx adsorber systems, including regeneration status and triggers, and average regen intervals.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Sensor Data: Reports DEF fluid type, concentration, tank temperature, and level. Crucial for Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems in diesel vehicles.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) & DPF Temperature: Displays DPF inlet/outlet pressures and differential pressure, as well as inlet/outlet temperatures. DPF traps soot in diesel exhaust. Increased differential pressure indicates soot accumulation.
NOx and Particulate Matter Sensors
NOx Sensor & NOx Sensor Corrected Data: Reports NOx concentration levels in ppm from multiple sensors (pre and post NOx adsorber). Corrected data includes learned adjustments. NOx sensors monitor nitrogen oxide emissions.
NOx Control System: Reports average reagent consumption rate, demanded consumption rate, reagent tank level, and NOx warning indicator time for NOx reduction systems.
NOx NTE Control Area Status & PM NTE Control Area Status: Indicates whether the vehicle is operating within or outside the NOx/PM “not to exceed control area” for emissions testing, and if any exemptions or deficiencies apply.
PM Sensor Bank 1 & 2 & Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor: Reports particulate matter sensor status (active, regenerating, value) and soot concentration in mg/m3 for different banks. PM sensors measure particulate matter emissions.
SCR Inducement System & NOx Warning And Inducement System: Reports SCR inducement status and reasons (low reagent, incorrect reagent, etc.), and warning/inducement levels (Level 1-3 severity) for Selective Catalytic Reduction systems. Inducement strategies alert drivers to SCR system issues.
Auxiliary Emissions Control Device (AECD) Run Time
Engine Run Time for AECD: Displays total run time for each Emissions Increasing Auxiliary Emissions Control Device (AECD). AECDs are permitted systems that can temporarily disable emissions controls under specific conditions (e.g., engine protection, emergency situations).
By utilizing the BlueDriver Bluetooth Professional OBDII Scanner and understanding these extensive live data parameters, you gain a powerful tool for vehicle diagnostics, performance monitoring, and fuel efficiency optimization. Whether you are a professional mechanic or a dedicated car enthusiast, BlueDriver empowers you with the data you need to keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently, saving you money at the pump and ensuring a healthier environment.
