OBD diagnostic codes better known in the automotive world as DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) are fault codes generated by the on-board computer of a vehicle (known as Electronic Control Unit) in a bid to make the driver aware of the problem.

DTCs can be read using an OBD diagnostic tool. These tools are carried by the technicians at authorized service centers. The technician sticks the diagnostic tool to the problematic vehicle OBD 2 port, then reads as well as clears the trouble codes after the corresponding issue(s) are solved.

Importance of a basic understanding of vehicle DTC codes

Whether you are a car enthusiast or not, a basic understanding of your vehicle"s OBD port as well as the DTCs your car’s ECU generates is pretty important.

For instance, if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and your car has a DTC flashing on its MID, and you know it is not that serious of an issue, you can continue to drive to the nearest service center.

On the other hand, if you have absolutely no idea about DTCs and your car’s MID is showing a serious DTC but you kept on driving your car without a care in the world, you would end up irreversibly damaging your car.

Get the point?

The working principle of vehicle DTC codes

Vehicle repair codes or Diagnostic Trouble Codes are generated by the Electronic Control Unit of your car. The Electronic Control Unit is a small but powerful computer that is tucked away in your car’s engine compartment. The ECU gathers real-time data from the sensors installed in every nook and cranny of your modern car.

When any one of those sensors installed in your car ‘senses’ an issue with one or many critical components of your car such as its ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) or TCS (Traction Control System), the sensor sends the collected data to the ECU.

The ECU in turn would generate the pertinent DTC and display the same on the MID of your car’s dashboard.

Then the decision falls on you.

If you are serious about your car care regime, you’d immediately take your car to the nearest service center and have the experts take a look at your car.

Not all DTC codes are critical

Please note that not all DTCs your vehicle generates are ‘critical’.

Sure if you are serious about your vehicle care regime then you’d try to sort out DTCs as soon as they show up in the MID. But it is no news that every time you take your car to the service center, you’d have to empty your pockets.

So, how you’d understand whether the vehicle DTC codes flashing in the MID of your car is serious or not?

Well, you simply pay close attention to how your vehicle is behaving. If your vehicle is acting way out of its ‘character’ and is also making it hard for you to safely drive the vehicle, consider the DTC generated to be a ‘critical’ one.

However, the best advice one can give is that as soon as a DTC is displayed in the MID of your vehicle, take the car to the nearest authorized service center.

Then there are permanent vehicle DTCs

When one is discussing on-board diagnostics in the automotive sector and not talking about permanent DTCs, they are not ‘experts’ per se!

So what are permanent DTCs?

Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes are those that one cannot remove by simply using a DTC checking tool or by disconnecting the vehicle’s battery. Permanent DTCs can only be removed from the MID of a vehicle when the issue has been fixed at an authorized service center.

Regular DTC monitoring is highly recommended

Regular DTC monitoring is part of basic car maintenance. However, solving car issues is easy but keeping track of OBD codes is quite tough. For the best results, rely on free car checks issued by AutoHealth – a revolutionary service that is disrupting car care in India.