Device Setup
OBD Trackers
OBD-equipped GPS trackers combine real-time location tracking with vehicle diagnostics data. Monitor engine health, fuel consumption, battery status, and maintenance schedules from the Pointeron dashboard.
Enterprise feature
OBD telematics features require the Pro plan and above. GPS location tracking from OBD devices works on all plans, but diagnostics data, crash detection, and maintenance scheduling require a Pro or Enterprise subscription.
Overview
OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics) is a standardized interface found in all vehicles manufactured after 1996 (EU) and 2001 (USA). When a GPS tracker with an OBD-II connector is plugged into the vehicle's diagnostic port, it can read engine and vehicle data alongside location information.
Pointeron processes this telemetry data and presents it as:
- Real-time gauges on the asset detail page
- Historical trend charts for fuel, battery, and engine metrics
- Automated alerts for anomalies, maintenance due dates, and diagnostic trouble codes
Supported data
OBD-equipped trackers can report the following vehicle parameters:
| Parameter | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Engine RPM | Current engine revolutions per minute | RPM |
| Engine temperature | Coolant temperature | Celsius |
| Engine load | Current engine load as a percentage | % |
| Fuel level | Remaining fuel in the tank | Liters and % |
| Battery state of charge | Vehicle battery voltage / EV state of charge | Volts / % |
| Ignition status | Whether the ignition is on or off | On / Off |
| Vehicle speed | Speed as reported by the ECU (more accurate than GPS speed) | km/h |
| Diagnostic trouble codes | Active and pending DTCs from the engine control unit | Code + description |
Data availability
Not all vehicles expose every parameter. The data available depends on the vehicle's make, model, and year. Most modern vehicles support all parameters listed above. Older vehicles may report a subset.
Compatible hardware
The following Teltonika devices are fully supported for OBD diagnostics:
Teltonika FMC003 (recommended)
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Plug-and-play OBD-II tracker |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE Cat 1 |
| Power | Vehicle OBD-II port (12V/24V) |
| OBD mode | Standard OBD-II + Non-OBD Compliant (OEM data via CAN bus) |
| Firmware | 03.28.03.Rev.94 or later |
Key features: GPS/GLONASS, OBD-II vehicle diagnostics, OEM data via CAN bus, crash detection, towing detection, driver behavior scoring, BLE 4.0 sensors, accelerometer.
Teltonika FMB965
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Compact wired tracker (1x5 connector) |
| Connectivity | 2G (GSM/GPRS) |
| Power | 10-30V DC (vehicle wiring) |
| OBD mode | N/A (wired tracker, no OBD) |
Key features: GPS/GLONASS, internal backup battery, Bluetooth, accelerometer, ignition detection, digital I/O. Best for basic fleet tracking without OBD diagnostics.
Installation
- Locate the vehicle's OBD-II port (typically under the dashboard on the driver's side)
- Plug the OBD tracker into the port (FMC003 is plug-and-play). For wired trackers like FMB965, connect using the wiring harness
- The tracker powers on automatically from the vehicle's OBD port (no separate power connection needed for OBD devices)
- Configure the tracker to connect to the Pointeron tracking server (see the GPS Trackers page for server configuration)
- Once connected, OBD data appears automatically in the asset detail view
OBD modes explained
Standard OBD-II (OBD Auto)
Works with virtually all vehicles manufactured after 1996 (EU) or 2001 (USA). The tracker sends standard Mode 01 PID requests to the vehicle's ECU and reports: engine RPM, coolant temperature, engine load, throttle position, fuel level (%), intake pressure, MIL status, and DTC count.
Non-OBD Compliant (OEM data)
For vehicles in the supported vehicle list, the tracker can read OEM-specific parameters via the CAN bus. This provides enhanced data beyond standard OBD-II: real odometer (from ECU, more accurate than GPS), real fuel level in liters, estimated remaining range, and for EVs: battery state of charge, state of health, and HV battery data.
Vehicle not in the supported list?
If your vehicle is not in the OEM supported list, it does not mean you cannot install the device. Standard OBD-II data (RPM, coolant temp, fuel level %, DTCs) will still be available with OBD Auto mode. The OEM list only applies to enhanced Non-OBD Compliant mode data like real odometer and fuel level in liters.
Electric vehicles
Electric vehicles typically do not respond to standard OBD-II PID requests (no combustion engine = no RPM, coolant temp, or fuel level). For EVs, use Non-OBD Compliant mode in the Teltonika Configurator. If your EV is in the supported list, you will get: battery SOC, estimated range, real odometer, and HV battery diagnostics.
Supported vehicles (OEM data)
The following vehicles are verified for enhanced OEM data via Non-OBD Compliant mode. Data last updated March 2026.
Full list
For the most up-to-date list, see Teltonika's official OBD supported vehicle list.
| Make | Model | Year | Fuel (L) | Mileage | Range | Battery | HV Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | 1 Series | 2024 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BMW | iX3 | 2024 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BYD | Denza D9 | 2022 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BYD | Song Plus DM-i | 2020-2023 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chevrolet | Equinox | 2024 | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- |
| Citroen | DS7 | 2017 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ford | F-150 | 2015-2021 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Ford | F-250 / F-350 | 2023 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Ford | Transit | 2015 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| GMC | Sierra 1500 | 2014-2019 | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- |
| GMC | Yukon | 2015-2020 | Yes | Yes | -- | -- | -- |
| Honda | Accord | 2023 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- |
| Honda | HR-V | 2022 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Honda | Pilot | 2023 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kia | EV5 | 2023 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Suzuki | Vitara | 2022 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Tata | Nexon EV | 2020-2023 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Volkswagen | Amarok | 2022 | Yes | Yes | Yes | -- | -- |
| Zeekr | X | 2023 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
This is a curated subset. Over 70 vehicle models are supported -- search during device setup in the admin dashboard or check the full Teltonika list.
Telemetry dashboard
The asset detail page displays a Telemetry tab for assets with an OBD-equipped tracker:
Real-time gauges
Live gauges show current values for:
- Engine RPM
- Engine temperature
- Engine load
- Fuel level
- Battery voltage / state of charge
- Vehicle speed (ECU)
- Ignition status
Gauges update in real time as new telemetry data arrives from the tracker.
Historical trends
Select a date range to view historical trend charts for any OBD parameter. Trends are useful for identifying patterns such as:
- Gradual fuel level decline (consumption analysis)
- Engine temperature anomalies (potential overheating)
- Battery voltage drop over time (aging battery)
- Fuel refueling events (sudden level increases)
Crash detection
Pointeron can detect potential crashes by monitoring sudden deceleration events reported by the OBD tracker's accelerometer.
- G-force threshold: Configurable threshold for crash detection (default: 4G)
- Alert: When a sudden deceleration exceeds the threshold, a critical alert fires immediately
- Event data: The alert includes the asset's speed before impact, G-force magnitude, and exact location
Not a safety system
Crash detection is an informational feature based on accelerometer data. It is not a certified safety or emergency system. Always rely on the vehicle's built-in safety systems and emergency services for accident response.
Towing detection
Towing detection alerts you when a vehicle moves while the ignition is off. This can indicate unauthorized towing, theft, or transport on a flatbed.
- The tracker monitors ignition status and GPS movement simultaneously
- If the vehicle moves more than 100 meters with the ignition off, a towing alert fires
- The alert includes the vehicle's current location and direction of movement
Maintenance scheduling
Set maintenance reminders based on vehicle usage to keep your fleet in top condition.
Reminder types
| Type | Trigger | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Odometer | Distance traveled in kilometers | Oil change every 10,000 km |
| Engine hours | Cumulative engine running time | Filter replacement every 500 hours |
| Calendar | Fixed time interval in days | Tire rotation every 180 days (6 months) |
Setting up reminders
- Open the asset detail page for a vehicle with an OBD tracker
- Go to the Maintenance tab
- Click Add reminder
- Choose the reminder type (odometer, engine hours, or calendar)
- Set the interval and description
- Save the reminder
When a reminder is due, Pointeron sends a notification through your configured channels (email, push, SMS). The reminder resets automatically after you mark the maintenance as completed.
Maintenance history
All maintenance events are logged with:
- Type of maintenance performed
- Date completed
- Odometer / engine hours at the time of service
- Notes from the technician or fleet manager
Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)
OBD trackers can read diagnostic trouble codes from the vehicle's engine control unit. DTCs indicate mechanical or electrical issues that may need attention.
Viewing DTCs
- Active DTCs appear on the asset detail page under the Diagnostics tab
- Each code includes a description explaining the issue (e.g., P0300 -- Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected)
- DTCs are categorized by severity: informational, pending, and confirmed
Clearing DTCs
You can clear DTCs from the Pointeron dashboard:
- Go to the asset detail page
- Open the Diagnostics tab
- Select the DTC(s) to clear
- Click Clear selected codes
Clearing DTCs
Clearing a DTC turns off the check engine light but does not fix the underlying issue. If the problem persists, the code will reappear. Always address the root cause before clearing codes.
DTC history
Pointeron maintains a history of all DTCs detected on each vehicle, including:
- Code and description
- Date first detected
- Date cleared (if applicable)
- Whether the code recurred after clearing
Fuel tracking
Monitor fuel consumption, economy, and refueling events for each vehicle.
Fuel consumption
Pointeron calculates fuel consumption based on OBD fuel level data:
- Total consumption: Liters consumed over a selected period
- Fuel economy: Average liters per 100 km (L/100km)
- Per-trip consumption: Fuel used during each individual trip
Refueling events
A refueling event is automatically detected when the fuel level increases significantly (e.g., more than 5 liters). Each refueling event is logged with:
- Timestamp and location
- Fuel level before and after refueling
- Estimated liters added
Fuel anomalies
Pointeron can alert you to unexpected fuel level drops that may indicate fuel theft or a leak. Configure a threshold for the minimum drop (in liters) that triggers an alert.