OBD2 DBC File: Decode Car Data for Free
Almost every passenger car built in the last two decades has an OBD2 port, and through it you can request standard parameters such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, coolant temperature, throttle position and fuel level. The OBD2 DBC file holds the rules for turning those raw responses into readable values in km/h, rpm, °C and percent.
CSS Electronics now offers the OBD2 DBC as a free download. It covers about 150 standard Mode 01 PIDs and is easy to extend with manufacturer-specific PIDs. Pertech, the CSS Electronics distributor in Israel, can help you set it up with a CANedge logger or CANsub interface.
Highlights
- Free OBD2 database in standard DBC format
- About 150 standard Mode 01 PIDs
- Works across car brands, models and years thanks to the OBD2 standard
- Extendable with proprietary, manufacturer-specific PIDs
- Used directly by the CANedge software and the free asammdf GUI
- Pairs with the OBD2-to-DB9 cable for plug-and-play logging
How to get it
The file is a free download from CSS Electronics. Contact Pertech and we will send you the link, and help configure your logger to request the PIDs your project needs.
Where it earns its keep
- Car data logging: record speed, RPM, fuel and temperatures with a CANedge1
- Fleet telematics: send OBD2 data to dashboards over WiFi or 4G with a CANedge2 or CANedge3
- Vehicle testing and diagnostics: request and decode PIDs live with a CANsub.2
- Research and insurance projects: collect comparable data across mixed car fleets
Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | OBD2 DBC file (CSS Electronics) |
| Price | Free download |
| Coverage | About 150 standard OBD2 Mode 01 PIDs |
| Format | DBC (CAN database), multiplexed by PID |
| Extensions | Can be extended with proprietary PIDs |
| Vehicles | Passenger cars and light vehicles with OBD2 over CAN |
| Compatible tools | CANedge software, asammdf GUI/API and other DBC-capable tools |
Frequently asked questions
Is the OBD2 DBC file really free?
Yes. CSS Electronics provides it as a free download. Pertech can send you the link and help you use it with your logger or interface.
Will it decode every signal in my car?
No. It decodes the standard OBD2 PIDs that cars report on request. Most other signals on the vehicle network are proprietary and not covered by any public database. Which PIDs a car supports also varies by model.
Do I need special hardware?
Any CAN logger or interface that can send OBD2 requests and read the responses. The CANedge loggers and the CANsub interfaces with the OBD2-to-DB9 cable are a ready-made combination.
Need a quote or help choosing the right setup? Contact Pertech, the CSS Electronics distributor in Israel.
