OBD2 Recorder: Easily Capture and Visualize Your Car's Performance Data

Looking to record OBD2 data from your vehicle?

This introduction covers the fundamentals of OBD2 logging, highlighting the top 4 benefits and practical use cases. You can also download sample OBD2 data from an Audi A4, including parameters like speed and RPM.

Unlike many basic OBD2 dongles and scanners, the CANedge empowers you to log and analyze your car’s data on your terms with 100% free software and APIs, including browser-based dashboards.

Visualize OBD2 data in real-time using a free, open-source browser dashboard for enhanced car performance monitoring.

Discover below why the CANedge is the ideal Obd2 Recorder for CAN and OBD2 data logging and telematics applications.

Quick Tip: Watch our 4-minute introductory video above to get started!

Understanding OBD2 Data Logging

Let’s quickly revisit the basics of OBD2.

OBD2 provides a standardized set of parameters, known as OBD2 PIDs, that can be recorded and easily interpreted across a wide range of vehicles.

Logging OBD2 data typically involves these straightforward steps:

Configure your OBD2 recorder: Specify the OBD2 PIDs you wish to record.
Connect to your vehicle: Use an OBD2 adapter to connect the recorder to your car’s OBD2 port and begin logging.
Extract and decode data: Retrieve the SD card from the recorder and decode the logged data using free software or APIs.

For more detailed instructions, refer to the FAQ section below or our comprehensive guides:

CLX000 OBD2 guide
CANedge OBD2 guide

Top 4 Advantages of Using an OBD2 Recorder

OBD2 logging enables data collection from virtually any modern vehicle. Here are the primary benefits:

Driver, Vehicle, and Component Optimization

OBD2 data empowers you to monitor and refine driving habits and optimize vehicle performance. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can leverage this data to assess the real-world performance of new prototype parts and systems.

Diagnostics of Intermittent Issues

Intermittent vehicle problems can occur sporadically during driving, making them challenging to diagnose during standard repair sessions. By recording OBD2 data, you can analyze the data surrounding a specific event to effectively pinpoint and resolve the issue.

Enhanced Fleet Management

OBD2 WiFi telematics at the fleet level facilitates various improvements, including driver behavior analysis, fuel cost reduction, minimizing breakdowns, ensuring regulatory compliance, streamlining dispute resolution, and enabling predictive maintenance strategies.

Data Control and Tailored Integration

With a WiFi-enabled OBD2 recorder, you retain complete control over the raw time-series data. This data can be accessed via SD card or automatically uploaded to your server, ensuring seamless custom integration using open APIs.

Which of these benefits align with your OBD2 logging needs? Contact us for a free consultation!

Introducing the CANedge OBD2 Data Recorder

The CANedge CAN bus data logger offers optional GPS/IMU, WiFi, and 3G/4G capabilities, making it perfect for OBD2 fleet telematics:

PLUG & PLAY: Ready to log data immediately, operating standalone and capable of linking your vehicle data to your server effortlessly.

PRO SPECS: Features extractable 8-32 GB SD card, dual CAN/LIN channels, CAN FD support, zero data loss, 50 µs RTC, error frame detection, and MF4 compatibility.

COMPACT: Measuring only 8 x 5 x 2 CM and weighing 100G, encased in a robust aluminum enclosure with 5+ LEDs and configurable 5V power output.

WIFI/LTE: Enables data push via WiFi or 3G/4G to your server, featuring end-to-end security and over-the-air update capabilities for remote management.

GNSS + 3D IMU: Integrated GPS/IMU offering 3x accuracy through sensor fusion, providing data on position, speed, distance, and more for comprehensive vehicle data.

INTEROPERABLE: Comes with free open-source software and APIs, supporting MF4 to ASC/CSV conversion, DBC integration, Python libraries, and customizable dashboards for versatile data handling.

Learn More

Software Example: OBD2 Dashboard for Vehicle Monitoring

With CANedge, you can effortlessly create free, custom browser dashboards to visualize your OBD2 data and configure alerts for critical parameters.

Enhance your OBD2 data with GPS/IMU information by using a CANedge with GNSS/IMU for a more comprehensive vehicle data overview.

Explore our online playground or delve deeper into our dashboard introduction.

Playground
Dashboards Intro

Get the ‘OBD2 Data Pack’

Interested in experimenting with real OBD2 data?

Download our ‘data pack,’ which includes:

Our OBD2 DBC file
25+ car DBC files (reverse-engineered)
100+ MB of data from 10+ vehicles

Download Now

Practical Use Case Examples

Below are real-world examples of how CANedge can be applied for OBD2 data logging.

OEM Field Testing of Vehicle Components

Do you require OBD2 & CAN field data logging from vehicles in operation?

As an OEM, late-stage field testing of prototype equipment is crucial. This often necessitates collecting OBD2 and CAN data from numerous vehicles over extended periods, such as months. The CANedge1 is ideally suited for this due to its compact size, plug-and-play simplicity, and easy pre-configuration. Data can be collected periodically and analyzed using your preferred CAN tools or the free asammdf GUI/API.

CANedge1

Vehicle Telematics (OBD2 + GNSS/IMU + 3G/4G)

Need to implement OBD2 telematics for on-road vehicle fleets?

The CANedge3 can wirelessly transmit recorded OBD2 data via 3G/4G using your SIM card. This enables near real-time OBD2 data transfer from vehicles to your cloud server. The OBD2 data can be automatically processed using open APIs (including OBD2 DBC decoding support), and CANedge3 devices support over-the-air updates. Furthermore, the integrated GPS/IMU in CANedge3 adds valuable data like position, speed, trip distance, acceleration, and attitude to your dataset.

CANedge3

Case Study: OBD2/CAN Telematics Implementation

Learn how Volkswagen utilizes the CANedge2 to log both OBD2 and raw CAN data to an SD card and automatically push data to their self-hosted server for in-depth analysis.

“The CANedge2 enabled us to get up and running quickly with robust configuration options, and the support was exceptional!”

Learn More
100+ Case Studies

Accessing OBD2 Data from an Audi A4

Download OBD2 sample data from CANedge below.

You can also download free, open-source OBD2 software to experience the process of decoding raw OBD2 data firsthand.

Raw OBD2 Data
Decoded OBD2 Data
Software

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The OBD2 protocol (SAE J1979) standardizes a range of vehicle data parameters available for logging. However, the specific OBD2 data supported varies by vehicle, with older models often supporting fewer parameters.

Here are some common OBD2 parameters typically available:

Fuel system status
Engine load
Coolant temperature
Fuel trim
Fuel pressure
Intake manifold pressure
Engine RPM
Vehicle speed
Intake air temperature
MAF air flow rate
Throttle position
Air status
Oxygen sensor status
Runtime since engine start
Distance with MIL on
Fuel tank level input
System vapor pressure
Absolute load value
Hybrid battery pack life
Engine oil temperature
Engine fuel rate
Torque
VIN
Various DTCs

For detailed information, refer to the OBD2 PID Wiki page or the SAE J1979 standard.

To convert raw OBD2 data from a CANedge OBD2 recorder into meaningful values (e.g., km/h, rpm), you need a database of decoding rules and suitable OBD2 software.

We offer a 100% free OBD2 DBC file that includes most standardized Mode 01 (Service 01) OBD2 PID decoding rules, as found on resources like the OBD2 PID Wiki page.

This OBD2 DBC file uses extended multiplexing to facilitate OBD2 decoding. Learn more in our DBC intro and OBD2 intro, where we explain interpreting raw CAN frames with OBD2 responses.

Load your raw OBD2 data and the OBD2 DBC file into our free software tools, such as asammdf or our OBD2 dashboard integrations, to visualize decoded OBD2 parameters like Speed, Engine Speed, MAF, and Fuel Level.

This approach allows you to easily modify the OBD2 DBC to include proprietary OBD2 PIDs and combine it with proprietary CAN DBC files for comprehensive CAN/OBD2 car data logging.

What is UDS?

The Unified Diagnostic Services protocol (UDS, ISO 14229-1) is a communication protocol used within automotive ECU communication. UDS diagnostic tools send request messages over the CAN bus to retrieve information from specific ECUs. While OBD2 is for on-board diagnostics during vehicle operation, UDS is for off-board diagnostics when the vehicle is stationary.

How to Make UDS Requests Over ISO-TP (ISO 15765-2)

Requesting OBD2 PIDs is straightforward: an OBD2 scan tool or recorder sends a CAN frame (OBD2 request), and if supported, the car responds with a single CAN frame. UDS requests, however, may require transport protocol requests. For example, UDS service 0x22 requests data by identifier, involving a multi-frame communication flow:

A ‘UDS data logger’ sends a request frame specifying the service ID (SID) and data identifier (DID).
The car responds with a first frame containing the SID, DID, total message length, and initial payload.
The UDS logger acknowledges with a flow control frame.
The ECU sends consecutive frames with the remaining payload.

Logging UDS data requires a UDS tool capable of sending custom CAN frames and flow control frames, and software tools to reconstruct multi-frame UDS responses for payload extraction and decoding.

UDS and OBD2 Extended PIDs for Car Data Logging

The UDS service ID (SID) and data identifiers (DID) are sometimes combined into an ‘extended OBD2 PID,’ like 0x220101. Service 0x22 UDS requests can extract car data beyond standard service 01 OBD2 PIDs. For example, some electric vehicles provide State of Charge (SoC%) via UDS service 0x22.

Using CANedge as a UDS Data Logger

CANedge can be configured to send UDS requests by transmitting a request frame and a flow control frame within milliseconds. This initiates the full UDS response sequence. Log files with UDS responses can be analyzed in tools like CANalyzer (by converting MF4 data to Vector ASC) or processed using our free Python CAN bus API to push parameters to Grafana UDS dashboards. Our github API examples include UDS response data and a UDS DBC file for decoding Hyundai Kona EV State of Charge (SoC%). For more information, see our EV data logger article or contact us.

Is my car OBD2 compatible?

Most likely, yes. OBD2 has been mandatory in the USA since 1996 and in the EU (EOBD) since 2003 for cars and light trucks.

However, OBD2 support doesn’t guarantee logging all desired data. Vehicle models vary in supported OBD2 parameters, with older cars often having limited real-time parameter support. Some manufacturers are also restricting OBD2 data access. While most cars use CAN for OBD2, older US cars (pre-2008) and some EU brands may use other protocols.

Note: Check your OBD2 connector for “metal pins” in CAN High (pin 6) and CAN Low (pin 14) positions (see OBD2 connector illustration). If unsure, send us a picture.

OBD2 uses five signal protocols:

ISO 15765 (CAN): Dominant, mandatory in US vehicles since 2008.
SAE J1850 (Ford).
SAE J1850 (GM).
ISO 9141-2 (Chrysler, some EU/Asian vehicles).
ISO 14230 (KWP2000, mainly EU manufacturers).

CANedge/CLX000 supports CAN-based OBD2. Contact us if you doubt your car’s compatibility.

For a rough protocol check, use this resource: OBD2 compatibility (cars). See our OBD2 intro for basics.

With an OBD2 recorder, you can also check supported Mode 01 OBD2 parameter IDs by requesting ‘Supported PIDs’ parameters (IDs 00, 20, 40, 60, 80, A0, C0) and analyzing response data bytes (see Wikipedia OBD2 PID article).

OBD2 vs J1939 for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

OBD2 is common in cars and light trucks. Heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, tractors, excavators) typically use J1939, a standardized protocol for data decoding across brands. A J1939 DBC file is needed to decode J1939 data, and CANedge/CLX000 can also function as J1939 data loggers.

CANedge vs CLX000 for OBD2 Recording

Both CANedge and CLX000 series can be used as OBD2 recorders.

For SD card logging, CANedge is recommended as the 2nd generation, optimized for logging. For auto-uploading log files, CANedge2 is ideal, especially for OBD2 telematics and OBD2 dashboards.

For real-time OBD2 data streaming via USB to a PC, CLX000 series like CL2000 is recommended.

Can I stream OBD2 data in real-time?

Yes, the CLX000 series enables real-time streaming of raw CAN and OBD2 data via USB. See our OBD2 streaming intro.

Raw CAN data vs OBD2 data

Connecting a CAN logger like CANedge/CLX000 to your car’s OBD2 port typically starts recording raw CAN bus data by default. This raw data is broadcasted by car sensors for internal communication.

OEMs may want to log raw CAN data if they have the CAN database (DBC file) to decode it. For non-OEMs, decoding raw CAN data usually involves car hacking or finding partial databases online, like opendbc.

For most users, OBD2 protocol is the primary data collection method. Almost all cars use CAN bus for OBD2 communication. OBD2 data is “on-request,” unlike raw CAN data. Logging OBD2 data involves sending custom CAN frames to request specific data, which the car may respond to if the OBD2 PID is supported.

Types of OBD2 Devices

The OBD2 device market is vast. Here’s a breakdown of main types:

OBD2 Scanners: Used by mechanics for diagnostics, identifying and clearing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). OBD2 Bluetooth/WiFi scanners offer smartphone access to diagnostic codes.

OBD2 Dongles: Small, consumer-friendly Bluetooth OBD2 readers for real-time vehicle performance data via smartphone apps. Simple to use but limited in flexibility, often using ELM327 microcontrollers.

OBD2 Data Loggers: Record OBD2 time-series data to SD cards in standalone mode (no PC/app needed). Data is extracted via USB or SD card for later analysis. CANedge1 is an example.

OBD2 WiFi/LTE Loggers: OBD2 data loggers with WiFi or 3G/4G data transfer, like CANedge2/CANedge3, logging to SD card and auto-transferring data to servers for OBD2 telematics and OBD2 dashboards.

OBD2 Interfaces: CAN interfaces like CLX000 enable real-time OBD2 data streaming to PCs via USB, e.g., using SavvyCAN for USB streaming of OBD2 data.

Does the OBD2 recorder turn off with the car?

Usually, yes. CANedge typically turns on/off with the ignition via the OBD2 connector’s IGN power supply, minimizing battery drain when off.

However, some vehicles may have OBD2 connectors directly wired to the battery, keeping CANedge powered even when off. CANedge power drain is minimal (<2W).

Check if LEDs turn off 15-20 minutes after turning off the car to verify. If CANedge stays on during long periods of vehicle inactivity, disconnect it or configure it to start/stop transmitting based on CAN data patterns. Alternatively, use a DB9-DC splitter cable and DC-cigarette receptacle adapter for cigarette power supply linked to ignition (see CANedge Docs for details).

Can I log GPS data with OBD2 data?

While some cars have built-in GPS, accessing this data via OBD2 or proprietary CAN is rare. We recommend using a CANedge with GNSS/IMU to record time-synced GNSS/IMU data alongside CAN/OBD2 data.

Ready to start logging OBD2 data from your car?

Get your CANedge OBD2 recorder today!

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