For Chevy Bolt EV owners and enthusiasts keen on understanding their vehicle’s inner workings, the On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD2) port is a gateway to a wealth of information. As your dedicated expert at obd-de.com, I’m excited to share a significant leap forward in accessing and interpreting your Bolt’s data. We’ve dramatically expanded the Parameter IDs (PIDs) available, offering an unprecedented level of insight into your electric vehicle.
What’s New in Chevy Bolt OBD2 Data? A Game-Changer Update
If you’ve been using OBD2 scanners with your Chevy Bolt, prepare for a substantial upgrade. We’ve increased the known PIDs from around 60 to an impressive 240! This massive expansion opens up a whole new world of diagnostic and performance data for your EV. This update isn’t just about quantity; it’s about organization and usability. We’ve harmonized PID names for clarity and grouped them logically, making it easier than ever to find the data you need.
However, with this extensive update comes a crucial step for existing users. To ensure a clean and functional experience, it’s essential to clear your old PID list before importing the new one. Failing to do so will result in a messy, duplicate-filled list and numerous “Missing PID” errors on your dashboards. We understand this means recreating your custom dashboards, and while we apologize for the inconvenience, the vastly improved data access is well worth it. Take screenshots of your current dashboards for easy recreation after the update.
Explore a Universe of Chevy Bolt Data Parameters
Quadrupling the PID list unlocks a treasure trove of previously inaccessible data points. Here’s a glimpse into the exciting new categories now available through your Chevy Bolt’s OBD2 port:
- DCFC (DC Fast Charging) Insights: Get detailed data on requested current during fast charging sessions.
- Comprehensive HVAC Details: Monitor every aspect of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
- Pump Performance Metrics: Access data from various pumps within your vehicle, crucial for system monitoring.
- Enhanced Battery Monitoring: Delve deeper into battery health with more pack, module, and cell level data, including State of Charge (SoC) variation, battery resistance, and high/low voltage readings.
- High-Resolution Current and Voltage Data: Experience more precise readings for critical electrical parameters.
- Expanded Charging Information: Gain access to a wider array of charging-related PIDs for a complete picture of your EV’s charging behavior.
- Temperature Sensor Network: Monitor a broader range of temperature sensors throughout your Chevy Bolt.
- Transmission Data (Experimental): Explore transmission-related PIDs, including torque readings (Note: These are still under validation and may require further testing).
Navigating the PID Landscape: Understanding Prefixes
To help you navigate this expanded list, we’ve introduced prefixes to categorize PIDs based on their utility and validation status:
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‘-‘ Prefix (Less Interesting PIDs): These PIDs are identified but deemed less practically useful for most users. An example is Phase U, V, W currents. While technically measurable, their highly fluctuating nature (swinging rapidly between positive and negative values) makes them difficult to interpret meaningfully for typical diagnostics. Similarly, data related to shifter pressure sensors (X and Y directions, side shift button voltages) falls into this category – interesting from a technical standpoint but less relevant for everyday EV monitoring. Even historical data on one-pedal driving disengagements or contactor openings, while intriguing, might not be essential for most users.
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‘?’ Prefix (Potentially Broken or Unverified PIDs): This prefix marks PIDs that we believe we understand but may be currently malfunctioning or require further formula verification. The accompanying Google Sheet (linked in the “About This Project” section on our site) contains detailed notes on these PIDs, highlighting observed behaviors and uncertainties. It’s important to note that some PIDs might be inherently flawed, even reporting incorrect data in professional diagnostic tools like GDS2. We encourage community collaboration to help decipher and validate these ‘?’ prefixed PIDs.
Important Instructions for Updating Your PID List
To take full advantage of these expanded OBD2 capabilities, remember these crucial steps:
- Backup Your Dashboards: Before proceeding, take screenshots of your current OBD2 dashboards in your scanning app (like Torque or EngineLink). This will allow you to easily recreate your preferred layouts after the update.
- Clear Your Existing PID List: Within your OBD2 app, locate the settings to clear or delete your current list of custom PIDs. This is a critical step to prevent conflicts and duplicates.
- Import the New PID List: Import the updated PID list (available in the “About This Project” section on obd-de.com). Ensure you are importing the correct format for your app (CSV or spreadsheet).
- Recreate Your Dashboards: Using your screenshots as a guide, rebuild your custom dashboards with the newly imported and expanded PID list.
Looking Ahead: Streamlining and Expanding OBD2 Access
We recognize that many of the PID short names are currently lengthy. We are actively working on developing shorter, more concise names to improve readability and usability within your OBD2 apps. This is an ongoing effort, and we are committed to continuous improvement.
We are also considering further enhancements, such as duplicating certain PIDs with alternative prefixes for even greater ease of use. Our goal is to make accessing and interpreting your Chevy Bolt’s OBD2 data as intuitive and powerful as possible.
Stay tuned for more updates later this month as we continue to refine and expand the OBD2 data available for your Chevy Bolt EV. In the meantime, explore the updated PID list and unlock a deeper understanding of your electric vehicle! For the comprehensive Google Sheet detailing all PIDs and notes, please visit the “About This Project” section at the bottom of obd-de.com. Feel free to explore the rest of our site for more valuable resources on OBD2 diagnostics and electric vehicle maintenance.
