This article explains what a PID is and provides an explaination of the PID categories that are available in the app.
The term PID comes from the OBD2 specification and is an acronym for Parameter ID. A PID represents the source of a data value that you can read and display, such as the output of a sensor on the vehicle.
There are hundreds of PIDs included in the app, so they are separated into categories. Some categories might not be available depending on the powertrain type that you have configured for your vehicle. The availability of PIDs depends on what is supported by your vehicle/device.
SAE PIDs are the PIDs that are defined in the OBD2 standard specification. Some examples are Vehicle Speed, Engine RPM, and Engine Coolant Temperature.
Enhanced Diagnostic PIDs are available when you have an enhanced diagnostic add-on. See the Enhanced Diagnostics help article for more information about Enhanced Diagnostics.
Fuel PIDs are calculated by the app by reading SAE PIDs from the vehicle. Some examples are Total Fuel Economy and Fuel Rate. Fuel PIDs are only available when the vehicle powertrain type is set to Internal Combustion Engine, Hybrid, or Plug-In Hybrid.
Hybrid/EV PIDs are calculated by the app by reading SAE PIDs from the vehicle and provide information about the EV powertrain. Some examples are Instant Electric Energy Rate and Total Electric Energy Economy. Hybrid/EV PIDs are only available when the vehicle powertrain type is set to Plug-In Hybrid, Hybrid, or Electric.
Trips PIDs provide information about the current trip. Some examples are Trip Distance, Trip Fuel Economy, and Trip Duration. Trip PIDs only apply to the current trip and are unaffected by any previous trips.
Calculated PIDs are not read directly from the vehicle and are instead calculated from other PIDs. Some examples include Engine Power and Engine Torque.
User-Defined PIDs are custom PIDs that you can create. More information is available in the User-Defined PIDs help article.
GPS PIDs are read from the location provider on your phone/tablet. Some examples include Latitude, Longitude, and GPS Speed. You must provide location permission when prompted in order to access GPS PIDs.
Sensor PIDs are read from motion sensors on your phone/tablet. Some examples include Acceleration and Rotation Rate.
Adapter PIDs are read from the OBD2 adapter. Currently, the only adapter PID that is available is Adapter voltage, which reads the voltage input to the adapter from the DLC (OBD2 port). Adapter voltage is usually a good representation of the battery voltage in your vehicle.
The accuracy of the adapter voltage PID depends on the OBD2 adapter that you are using. Some cheap adapters do not provide accurate voltage readings.
System PIDs are generated directly in the app. The PID refresh rate PID provides a real-time estimate of the number of PIDs being read from the vehicle per second. See the Refresh Rate help article for more information about refresh rates and how they can be improved.