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OBD-II is a standardised socket found under the dashboard of every car sold in the EU from 2001 onwards. A GPS tracker that plugs into this socket gets power from the vehicle and can read basic engine data – speed, RPM, coolant temperature, and fault codes – without any hardwiring.
OBD-II plug-in trackers are the fastest way to get a vehicle onto a tracking platform. Installation takes under a minute and requires no tools. The limitation is data depth: OBD-II only exposes the standardised diagnostic layer; CAN Bus provides the full set of manufacturer-specific operational data.
- Mandatory since – 2001 (petrol) and 2004 (diesel) in the EU; since 1996 in the USA
- Location – usually under the dashboard on the driver’s side, within 60 cm of the steering wheel
- Data available – VIN, speed, RPM, fuel trim, coolant temp, distance, MIL (check engine) status, DTCs
- Limitation – no fuel consumption from injectors, no axle load, no driver hours – use CAN Bus for HGVs and buses