When you’re in the market for a used car, ensuring its health is paramount. The BlueDriver OBD2 scanner is a valuable tool in this process, particularly when checking the Bluedriver Obd2 Mil Status. This feature can reveal crucial information about the vehicle’s history and potential hidden issues, specifically if trouble codes have been recently cleared.
The MIL Status page within the BlueDriver app is designed to report on the status of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), commonly known as the check engine light. Beyond simply indicating whether the light is currently on or off, it delves deeper (depending on vehicle support) to provide insights into recent diagnostic trouble code (DTC) activity. Here are key data points you might encounter:
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Warm-ups Since DTCs Cleared: This metric counts the number of engine warm-up cycles since the last time DTCs were cleared. A warm-up cycle is typically defined as the engine reaching a minimum coolant temperature increase of 40°F (20°C) after startup and reaching a minimum temperature of 160°F (70°C) (or 140°F/60°C for diesel engines). A low number here, especially zero, could be a red flag.
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Distance Traveled Since DTCs Cleared: This reports the total distance the vehicle has traveled since the diagnostic codes were last erased or the battery was disconnected. Similar to warm-ups, a suspiciously low mileage reading could indicate recent code clearing.
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Engine Run Time Since DTCs Cleared: This value displays the total engine operating hours since the codes were cleared. It’s important to note that this is engine run time, not total elapsed time. For instance, even if codes were cleared weeks ago, this value only reflects the accumulated hours the engine has been running.
Is something suspicious about these readings?
If your vehicle doesn’t support these specific data points, the BlueDriver offers another valuable feature: the Smog Check. This section provides an alternative method to detect potential recent code clearing.
When diagnostic trouble codes are cleared, whether intentionally with a scan tool or unintentionally by disconnecting the battery, all vehicle emissions tests are reset. These tests will initially display a status of “not complete.” For the system to update these test statuses, the vehicle needs to be driven under various driving conditions – city streets, highways, etc. – allowing the engine control module (ECM) to gather enough data to assess whether these emissions tests have passed or failed.
Therefore, if you observe multiple emissions tests listed as “not complete” within the ‘Smog Check’ section, it might suggest that the vehicle’s codes have been recently cleared. This could be an attempt to mask underlying issues that would otherwise trigger the check engine light and potentially affect the vehicle’s performance or emissions.
Does this Smog Check status seem unusual?
In conclusion, both the MIL Status and Smog Check features on your BlueDriver OBD2 scanner are indispensable when evaluating a used vehicle. They provide valuable clues to determine if trouble codes have been recently cleared, potentially hiding mechanical problems. By understanding and utilizing these features, you can make a more informed decision when purchasing a used car and avoid unexpected repair costs down the road.
