Hardware
DriveDecode M1 Bluetooth OBD-II adapter
The adapter that talks to DriveDecode.
The M1 is the adapter the DriveDecode line is built on, and the one that reads every OBD-II vehicle sold in the US since 1996. Later hardware carries on from there, as M2 and so on, and DriveDecode works with every one of them. There is also theGo, a cheaper board that reads 2008-and-newer vehicles only.
Coming soon. Listings go live on eBay and Amazon first
What it reads, and what it does not
A DriveDecode adapter reads engine and emissions systems: the powertrain and emissions codes the OBD-II standard requires on every US vehicle it covers. It does not read ABS, airbag (SRS), TPMS or transmission-specific manufacturer codes. Those need make-specific decoding that generic OBD-II hardware cannot do.
This is the honest limit of every generic OBD-II adapter, not a shortcoming of this one. We would rather say it here than have you find out in the driveway.
Specifications
| Model | M1, the spec-compliant DriveDecode adapter |
|---|---|
| Vehicle coverage | 1996 and newer US-market cars and light trucks |
| Protocols | ISO 9141-2, ISO 14230-4 (KWP2000), ISO 15765-4 (CAN), SAE J1850 PWM, SAE J1850 VPW |
| Connection | Bluetooth 4.1 dual-mode. DriveDecode connects over Bluetooth LE |
| Port | Standard 16-pin SAE J1962 (OBD-II) |
| Power | Drawn from the OBD-II port, 12V |
| Works with | DriveDecode on iOS 15+ and Android 8+ |
In the box
- DriveDecode M1 Bluetooth OBD-II adapter
- DriveDecode activation code (good for 2 devices)
- Quick start card
Getting started
- Install DriveDecode on your phone.
- Plug the M1 into the OBD-II port, usually under the dash on the driver's side.
- Turn the ignition to on. The engine does not need to be running.
- Enter the activation code from the card in the box.
- Pair with the adapter and scan.
Will it work on my car?
If your car was sold new in the United States in 1996 or later, it has an OBD-II port and the M1 will talk to it. That covers gasoline cars and light trucks, plus US diesels from 2008 on. Heavy trucks using J1939, motorcycles, and pre-1996 vehicles are outside the standard and are not supported.
Not sure where the port is? It is a 16-pin trapezoid within about 18 inches of the steering wheel: under the dash, above the pedals, or behind a small panel near the fuse box.
If every vehicle you plan to scan is a 2008 model year or newer, theDriveDecode Go covers those for less. Anything older than 2008, or anything with two wheels, needs the M1.