OBDLink® adapters support all OBD-II compliant vehicles. You can read OBD-II diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) using the free OBDLink app (Android and iOS) or OBDwiz (Windows). You need enhanced diagnostics to read additional manufacturer-specific DTCs and Parameter IDs (PIDs). For example, if you have a Ford vehicle, you may want to read and clear Ford-specific DTCs for the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
This article will help you read the OEM-Specific Enhanced Diagnostics Support Coverage PDF and determine if enhanced diagnostics are available for your vehicle.
Note: The PDF is focused on the OBDLink® MX+ adapter, because enhanced diagnostics for many vehicles are included free of charge in the OBDLink app with your purchase. Add-ons that are exclusive to OBDLink MX+ include: GM; Honda, Acura; and Hyundai, Kia. If you have another OBDLink adapter model, then you can purchase add-on diagnostics, but they are not guaranteed to access all OEM-specific PIDs/DTCs. For example, if you have an OBDLink LX adapter and a Ford vehicle, you can purchase the Ford add-on, however, you will not be able to read certain Ford PIDs that come from the MS-CAN network. If you have questions that aren’t answered by this article, please contact Support using the OBDLink app by tapping Settings > Contact Support.
After you have figured out if enhanced diagnostics are available for your vehicle, we recommend you read Which OBDLink® adapter is right for me? This article helps you evaluate the OBDLink adapter products and decide which one is best for your particular requirements.
Details
Open the OEM-Specific Enhanced Diagnostics Support Coverage PDF by clicking the link. You can also download a local copy of the PDF.
In each section, find the information for your vehicle:
- Section 1: Find your vehicle manufacturer and see which Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) categories are supported.
- Section 2: Find your vehicle model and check that your model year is supported for Enhanced Diagnostics.
- Section 3: Find your vehicle manufacturer and find out which OEM Modules are supported.
Note: Your vehicle will likely support a subset of the modules listed in this section. For example, many Ford vehicles have a Parking Aid Module, but your particular vehicle and model year may not have that functionality.
For example, let’s say your vehicle is a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu.
- Section 1, page 5 shows that Generic DTCs, Generic Live Parameters and OEM DTCs are supported for Chevrolet vehicles. OEM Live Parameters are not supported.
- Section 2, page 10 shows that the 2012 model year is supported.
- Section 3, page 40 lists all the modules that the OBDLink app has access to.
Remember, we learned in step 1 that the OBDLink app does not have access to PID requests for live parameters for Chevrolet vehicles. The OBDLink app can only request the OEM DTCs and clear them.
This image shows a small part of the complete list of modules.
Let’s look at another example, a 2018 Audi Q5 SUV.
- Section 1, page 5 shows that Generic DTCs and Generic Live Parameters are supported for Audi vehicles. OEM DTCs and OEM Live Parameters are not supported.
- Section 2 and Section 3 list no information for Audi. This is expected because OEM DTCs are not available for Audi vehicles. Standard OBD-II diagnostics are available for this vehicle in the OBDLink app.
Next steps
In the OBDLink app, when your OBDLink adapter is connected to your vehicle:
- Tap Settings > Get Enhanced OEM Add-Ons. Select your vehicle OEM and select the trouble codes for your model year.
For the Chevrolet example, you would select GM and GM 2012 Enhanced Trouble Codes to install enhanced trouble codes for a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicle.
For the Audi example, this option is not available for your vehicle.
Note: Enhanced OEM Add-Ons are available primarily for vehicles sold in North America. - If your vehicle supports OEM Live Parameters (see Section 1 of the PDF), then you can tap Settings > Vehicle Editor > Enhanced Network to view the list of supported modules for your vehicle. If a module says “This module has not been scanned”, it indicates your vehicle doesn’t support reading data from that module.
For the Chevrolet and Audi examples, this option is not available for your vehicle. - If OEM DTCs and OEM Live Parameters are not supported for your vehicle, see our compatible apps page. This page lists many apps that support the OBDLink MX+ adapter and offer enhanced diagnostics.
For the Audi example, you could review the Carista app to confirm support for your vehicle.
Learn more
- After you have figured out if enhanced diagnostics are available for your vehicle, we recommend you read these articles:
- Which OBDLink® adapter is right for me? This article helps you evaluate the OBDLink adapter products and decide which one is best for your particular requirements.
- Is my vehicle supported? This article helps you determine if you can use OBDLink adapters with your vehicle.
- To view Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), see the Get Started with Diagnostics article.
- The OBDLink app displays several dashboards and diagnostic parameters by default, including engine RPM and speed. Follow the steps in this article to Add and Edit Dashboard Gauges.
- For descriptions of terms used in this article, see the Glossary of Acronyms and Terms.
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