What is an OBD-II connector and does my car have one?
Please note: an OBD-II scanner is NOT required for the TripLog solution.
On-board diagnostics (OBD) is an automotive term referring to a vehicle’s self-diagnostic and reporting capability. OBD systems give a vehicle’s owner or a repair technician access to the status of that vehicle’s various subsystems. An example of a subsystem is the check engine light notification.
Please note that TripLog requires your vehicle to support a very specific code: OBD PID 31 “Distance traveled since codes cleared”. Vehicles that are OBD-II compliant may or may not support this code and it is hard to predict which vehicles will support this code simply based on their makes and models. Please consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual and other information available online to see if your vehicle supports this code.
What is a Bluetooth OBD-II scanner and where can I buy one?
A Bluetooth OBD-II scan tool is a small device that plugs into your vehicle’s OBD connector and transfers data via Bluetooth. It works with iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Note: we unfortunately do not support OBD-II devices from CellAssist.
Why do other cheaper WiFi OBD-II scan tools not work?
WiFi OBD-II scan tools have one big caveat. Since they serve as WiFi hotspots/routers but they do not actually connect to the Internet, you cannot use maps, navigation, email and other apps that require Wifi while you are driving.
TripLog strongly recommend Bluetooth OBD-II scan tools for this reason. LELink Bluetooth Low Energy OBD-II is one of the best products on the market. It’s been tested and it works flawlessly with TripLog.
Many TripLog users have also been satisfied with the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE OBD-II Scanner as well.
How does TripLog for iOS Auto Tracking a trip and get your vehicle’s odometer reading from the OBD-II scan tool?
Plug the OBD-II scan tool into the OBD connector and then start the engine.
Open the TripLog iOS app Menu > Auto Tracking Settings > Auto Tracking on > OBD-II scan tool (LELink/Veepeak).
On the same setting page > Calibrate OBD-II device > the app will read your vehicle’s VIN and odometer reading and then show the vehicle list > choose the right vehicle > OK.
Uncheck Enable Auto Tracking, then check it back on. This will reset the Auto Tracking process.
The next time that you start the engine, the OBD-II scan tool will be automatically connected. After you drive over a specified speed threshold, a new trip will be automatically started.
When you arrive at your destination, park and turn off the engine. After a few seconds, the OBD-II scan tool will be automatically disconnected and the trip will be automatically stopped.Due to how the OBD Standard was created., OBD devices only give distance in kilometers, if you use miles, there might be some loss of precision and readings may be up to 1 mile off.
How does TripLog for Android Auto Tracking a trip and get your vehicle’s odometer reading from the OBD-II scan tool?
Plug the OBD-II scan tool in to the OBD connector, and start the engine.
Go to Android System Settings > Bluetooth > Search for devices > Pair with it (the security code usually is 1234 or 12345, check the device manual).
Open TripLog Android app > menu > Settings > OBD-II Device Settings > OBD-II Scanner Type > Bluetooth. OBD-II Bluetooth Device > select the newly paired device.
On the same settings page > Setup Vehicle Odometer > Yes > app will try to connect to the scan tool, once it finds it > select the vehicle > enter the current odometer from dashboard. If it fails to connect, read the popup message and try again.
Start a trip as usual. The app will automatically read odometer from the scan tool.
Due to the fact that OBD devices only give distance in kilometers, if you use miles, there might be some loss of precision and resulting in readings being 1 mile off.