The 2018 Ram 2500 is OBDII compliant. All cars and light trucks sold in the United States since 1996 are required to be OBDII compliant by US federal law. This includes the 2018 Ram 2500. OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, version 2) is a standardized system that allows external devices, like OBDLink adapters, to access diagnostic information from a vehicle’s computer.
OBDII Compliance in the US
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that all gasoline-powered cars and light trucks manufactured from model year 1996 onwards must be OBDII compliant. This regulation ensures that vehicles meet emissions standards and can be easily diagnosed for malfunctions related to emissions control. Diesel vehicles had different compliance dates.
An image of the SAE standard J1962 Vehicle Connector used for OBD-II information.
Figure 1: J1962 Vehicle Connector, Type A – The standard OBD-II connector.
Global OBDII Compliance
While the US standardized OBD-II in 1996, other regions adopted the standard at different times. The European Union, for example, mandated OBD-II compliance for gasoline vehicles starting in 2001 and diesel vehicles in 2004. Other countries have adopted the standard even later.
| Country of Sale | Full OBD-II Compliance in this Model Year and onward |
|---|---|
| European Union (Petrol) | 2002 |
| European Union (Diesel) | 2007 |
| Canada | 1998 |
| Japan | 2008 |
Confirming Your Vehicle’s Compliance
If you’re unsure about your vehicle’s OBDII compliance, you can usually find a label under the hood stating its compliance with specific emission standards. This label might explicitly mention “OBD-II” or a regional equivalent like “EOBD” (European OBD) or “JOBD” (Japanese OBD). Your owner’s manual may also contain this information.
Using OBDII Adapters with Your 2018 Ram 2500
Since your 2018 Ram 2500 is OBDII compliant, you can use OBDII adapters like those offered by OBDLink to:
- Read and clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)
- Monitor engine performance data in real-time
- Perform emissions tests
- And much more!
Choosing the Right OBDII Adapter
Several OBDII adapters are available, each with its own features and capabilities. Consider factors like wireless connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), compatibility with different operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows), and the specific software or apps you intend to use when selecting an adapter.
If you have confirmed that your vehicle is OBD-II compliant, you may want to read more about choosing the right adapter.
