CAN bus and reading vehicle data (fuel, revs, temperature)
GPS tells you where the vehicle is. The CAN bus tells you what is happening inside it – how much fuel it has, what the revs are, the engine temperature or the true odometer reading. Let's look at how reading vehicle data over the CAN bus works and what it brings to fleet tracking.
What the CAN bus is
The CAN bus is a vehicle's internal communication bus, over which the car's control units exchange information with each other. The abbreviation comes from Controller Area Network, and it is a standard used by practically every manufacturer in a modern vehicle.
Data about the state of the engine, gearbox, fuel system and other systems flows continuously over this bus. A GPS unit can connect to the CAN bus and read that data – without interfering with the operation of the vehicle, purely as an observer of the communication.
What vehicle data can be read
The CAN bus can yield a surprisingly rich picture of the vehicle's state. Among the most useful values are the fuel level, engine revs and coolant temperature, but the true odometer reading, speed, accelerator pedal position or ignition status are often available too.
The range of available data depends on the specific vehicle and its equipment. As a general rule, though, newer and better-equipped vehicles provide more information over the CAN bus that can be put to use in tracking.
Why reading data over the CAN bus is an advantage
The main advantage is the accuracy and credibility of the values. Whereas figures estimated from vehicle movement can only be approximate, CAN bus data comes straight from the vehicle's control units and matches what the driver sees on the dashboard.
Fuel data, for example, helps reveal disproportionate refuelling or a fuel leak. The true odometer reading prevents tampering with distances, and data on revs and temperature helps monitor how the vehicle is being treated and whether a fault is looming.
The CAN bus and driving style
Combining GPS with CAN bus data gives a rounded picture not only of the position but also of how the vehicle is driven. From revs, speed and other parameters it is possible to assess how economically and safely the driver drives.
The Teltonika units SaveTrack uses can, besides the classic data, read parameters related to driving style – harsh braking, acceleration or aggressive cornering. This information is the basis for driving-quality scoring and economical fleet operation.
The CAN bus in SaveTrack
In SaveTrack, CAN bus data is collected together with the position and transmitted to the server with a 60-second update rate while driving. In the application you therefore see not only where the vehicle is but also its technical condition and how it is being operated.
Just like the position, this data is stored encrypted and in line with GDPR. You gain a comprehensive and at the same time secure overview of your fleet – from location and route through to fuel, revs and engine temperature.
FAQ
What is the CAN bus?
The CAN bus is a vehicle's internal communication bus over which control units exchange data. A GPS unit can connect to it and read values about the vehicle's state.
What data can be read from a vehicle?
Most often the fuel level, engine revs, temperature, the true odometer reading, speed or ignition status. The exact range depends on the specific vehicle.
Is reading over the CAN bus more accurate than estimating?
Yes. CAN bus data comes straight from the vehicle's control units, so it matches what the driver sees on the dashboard and is more reliable than estimates from movement.
Will connecting to the CAN bus damage the vehicle?
No. On the bus the GPS unit acts purely as an observer of the communication and reads data without interfering with the operation of the vehicle.
Is CAN bus data protected in SaveTrack?
Yes. Just like the position, CAN bus data is stored encrypted and in line with GDPR.
Want to know not only where the vehicle is but also its fuel level and technical data? SaveTrack reads CAN bus data from €6 a month. Write to info@savetrack.sk or call +421 908 918 880.
GPS tracking from €6/month, with the GPS device included on annual payment.
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