In my various notes, I’ve discussed different types of trackers. Among them, the OBD GPS Tracker has been a popular choice for many years. Its convenience and built-in vehicle diagnostic capabilities have made it a sought-after product in fleet management.
Leading brands such as GEOTAB and CALAMP have developed OBD GPS devices that are widely praised and extensively used in the market.
While GPS tracking is familiar to most people, functioning through a GPS module with integrated circuits, an MCU, and an antenna to receive satellite signals and generate routes, the concept of OBD might not be as well-known.
So, what is OBD, and why does it exist?
Instead of diving into complex terminology, I aim to explain what an OBD GPS Tracker can actually do in simple and straightforward terms.
First and foremost, this device is designed to work with vehicles. Whether you own a car for personal use, manage a fleet, or run a logistics company, you’re likely concerned about the "health" of your vehicles.
Just like we rely on health checkups to monitor our own well-being, cars can also undergo “health checks” using specific devices. The OBD interface acts as the gateway for this diagnostic process.
Each vehicle has its own “gateway,” and most passenger vehicles use a 16-pin interface, while some commercial vehicles utilize 9-pin or 6-pin interfaces.
Step 1: Identify the Interface Type
The first step in using an OBD GPS Tracker is identifying the shape and type of the vehicle's interface.
Step 2: Compatibility Check
After confirming the interface type, you can’t simply plug in the device and start diagnostics. You must determine the vehicle’s brand, model, and the corresponding communication protocol.
Think of it like a medical checkup: to perform specific tests, you need to know if the patient has allergies or contraindications. Similarly, vehicles have communication protocols that define how data is exchanged.
This “preliminary inquiry” is what we call the communication protocol. Once you’ve identified the protocol, you’re ready to begin diagnostics.
For passenger vehicles, the communication protocol is largely standardized as ISO15031. For commercial vehicles, the protocols are typically J1939 or J1708.
If you’re unsure whether a vehicle is a passenger car or a commercial vehicle, you can distinguish them by their voltage: passenger cars generally operate on 12V, while commercial vehicles run on 24V.
At this stage, you’ve only completed the first step: matching the device to the vehicle.
The OBD interface is just an entry point. Behind it lies the car's “neural network,” known as the CAN BUS. This network connects various vehicle systems, including the ECU (Engine Control Unit).
The OBD GPS Tracker accesses the ECU through this interface, acting as a bridge to retrieve critical data from the vehicle.
Once connected, the device provides access to a wealth of information. But what can we do with this data?
| PID | decimalism | Data name（English） | arithmetic |
| 0x001D | 29 | Accelerator Pedal Position 2https://www.xbuscar.com/products/4g-cat1-obd-gps-tracker | y=x1*0.4 |
| 0x005B | 91 | Accelerator Pedal Position 1 | y=x1*0.4 |
| 0x005C | 92 | Engine Percent Load At Current Speed | y=x1 |
| 0x200C | 190 | Engine Speed | y=[x1x2]*0.125 |
| 0x2010 | 132 | Engine Inlet Air Mass Flow Rate | y=[x1x2]*0.05 |
| 0x0664 | 1636 | Engine Intake Manifold 1 Air Temperature (High Resolution) | y=[x1x2]*0.03125-273 |
| 0x0665 | 1637 | Engine Coolant Temperature (High Resolution) | y=[x1x2]*0.03125-273 |
| 0x059C | 1436 | Engine Actual Ignition Timing | y=[x1x2]/128-200 |
| 0x0392 | 914 | Service Distance | y=[x1x2]*5 |
| 0x0395 | 917 | High Resolution Total Vehicle Distance | y=[x1x2x3x4]*5 |
| 0x0396 | 918 | High Resolution Trip Distance | y=[x1x2x3x4]*5 |
| 0x00F4 | 244 | Trip Distance | y=[x1x2x3x4]*0.125 |
| 0x00F5 | 245 | Total Vehicle Distance | y=[x1x2x3x4]*0.125 |
| 0x00F7 | 247 | Engine Total Hours of Operation | y=[x1x2x3x4]*0.05 |
| 0x00F9 | 249 | Engine Total Revolutions | y=[x1x2x3x4]*1000 |
| 0x00B6 | 182 | Engine Trip Fuel | y=[x1x2x3x4]*0.5 |
| 0x00FA | 250 | Engine Total Fuel Used | y=[x1x2x3x4]*0.5 |
| 0x0034 | 52 | Engine Intercooler Temperature | y=x1-40 |
| 0x2005 | 110 | Engine Coolant Temperature | y=x1-40 |
| 0x00AE | 174 | Engine Fuel Temperature 1 | y=x1-40 |
| 0x00AF | 175 | Engine Oil Temperature 1 | y=[x1x2]*0.03125-273 |
| 0x0016 | 22 | Engine Extended Crankcase Blow-by Pressure | y=x1*0.05 |
| 0x005E | 94 | Engine Fuel Delivery Pressure | y=x1*4 |
| 0x0062 | 98 | Engine Oil Level | y=x1*0.4 |
| 0x0064 | 100 | Engine Oil Pressure | y=x1*4 |
| 0x0065 | 101 | Engine Crankcase Pressure | y=[x1x2]/128 - 250 |
| 0x006D | 109 | Engine Coolant Pressure | y=x1*2 |
| 0x006F | 111 | Engine Coolant Level | y=x1*0.4 |
For taxi companies, installing OBD GPS Trackers enables the collection of essential data such as vehicle location, fuel consumption, fault codes, mileage, and more.
Using this data, companies can:
This not only optimizes fleet performance but also significantly reduces costs.
In the logistics industry, safety and compliance during trips are critical, particularly regarding fuel tank security. For example, during rest stops, fuel theft is a common issue.
By analyzing fuel consumption and travel routes, fleet managers can:
For individual users, the most commonly used features are DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) readings and location tracking.
For instance, when a vehicle’s warning light (DTC) turns on, many owners rely on service centers to diagnose the issue. With an OBD GPS Tracker, users can quickly identify the fault code, enabling faster response and resolution.
In recent years, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) has advocated for the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to ensure compliance with safety standards. Interestingly, the principles behind ELDs align closely with the functions of OBD GPS Trackers.
By now, you should have a clear understanding of what an OBD GPS Tracker is and how it can be used. Its ability to connect to a vehicle's ECU and retrieve valuable data has profound implications for fleet management and vehicle maintenance.
Whether you’re managing a taxi fleet, a logistics operation, or simply maintaining your own vehicle, the OBD GPS Tracker is a powerful tool that enhances efficiency and safety.
I hope my explanation has been helpful. If you have any questions or corrections, feel free to share and discuss! Email me to lucas@xbuscar.com
