What exactly is OBD and what can I get from it?

The word OBD is the abbreviation for the Onboard Diagnostic system, it’s an “ancient” technology that has existed before everyone is talking about “infotainment” or “connected car”. As the name implies, it’s mainly used by automakers to regulate emissions.

Virtually every new car sold in the U.S. over the past 20 years follows the OBD II standard. OBD II cars have a port — usually located under the dashboard on the driver’s side — that devices can plug into and connect to a car’s computer. Companies have plenty of ideas about what you can plug into that port.

Diagnostics are the primary purpose of OBD. When a car’s sensors decide that something is not right, they trigger a message known as an “issue/trouble code”, which may appear on the car dash in the form of a “check engine” or other warning light. OBD scanners can check these trouble codes to determine exactly what’s wrong, and clear them from the computer’s memory once the problem is fixed.

However, the trouble codes, primarily targeting professional repairmen as their readers, appear to be Greek to car owners. This is where all the OBD dongles manufacture came online. Numerous dongles are created by various companies to offer a more user-friendly interface to car owners so they can check what’s behind the “engine light” or warning light whenever they feel the need.

ZUS Smart Vehicle Health Monitor is doing exactly the same thing for you. When your check engine light is on, you will get notified on the ZUS app and the page that comes will give you indications on the details of the code you are getting on your dash.