Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Have you ever wondered how it is that your vehicle knows when something is wrong, or how you’re getting all that crucial information about your asset in real time? Fleet data holds all the answers to that feedback, and behind that data is CANbus.
CANbus is the foundation for modern vehicle diagnosticsand management, and it works as somewhat of a nervous system for your vehicle. It’s a concealed framework that orchestrates the exchange of critical information between all the various components of your vehicle, making its unseen power the driving force behind advanced and smart fleet management.
CANbus was created by Bosch in the 1980s and swiftly became the industry standard for in-vehicle networking. Today, almost every modern vehicle uses CANbus for safety features, monitoring, and diagnostics.
To put it plainly, think of CANbus like a group chat where all your vehicle’s components are members. When one component, such as the engine, needs to share critical information, such as a fault code, it sends a message that the other components can interpret and respond to immediately.
What does this mean for Cartrack clients?
CANbus works as a hardware add-on that pairs with your telematics device, giving you access to specific vehicle data, including diagnostics, fuel usage, and driver behaviour stats. The accuracy of CANbus data can vary slightly, with an expected margin of up to 10%.
How does CANbus work?
At the core of CANbus, there’s a framework of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that communicate with each other in real time; each of these manages a certain function, like braking or fuel. Here’s a closer look at how it works:
2-wire architecture: CANbus only relies on 2 wires – CAN High and CAN Low wires – twisted together to reduce electrical disruption. This type of wiring means that all ECUs are interconnected, meaning continual communication throughout.
Broadcast communication: As previously mentioned, messages are broadcast across the entire network, which means that each ECU listens for messages that are relevant to it and ignores the ones that don’t apply to it, making networking systems swift and effective.
No central controller: CANbus doesn’t have a central computer telling components what to do; instead, all ECUs are equal “members of the group chat”, which means they are able to send and receive information independently when needed.
What data can be extracted from CANbus?
One of the biggest upsides of CANbus is that it delivers incredible depth and variety when it comes to the data it provides. Paired with a sophisticated telematics system, this can prove substantial regarding data insights. Let's explore some of the key data points you can expect:
RPM (Revolutions Per Minute): Is an indication of how fast a vehicle’s engine’s crankshaft rotates, i.e., telling you how fast the engine is running. Considering this helps you understand how hard a vehicle is being pushed, it can help you monitor and boost performance.
Vehicle speed: Offers relatively accurate and live speed readings, which can give you insight into driver behaviour, fuel use, and adherence to safety.
Fuel consumption:Tracks how much fuel is being used, meaning you can spot trends (and inconsistencies) or see where there’s room for improvement regarding fuel and operational costs.
Brake status: Monitors when and how the brakes are being applied so that patterns of harsh braking or deteriorating vehicle components can be identified.
Fault Codes (DTCs): Records Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) transmitted by the vehicle when a system is faulty. Getting these diagnostic reports means ultimately reducing downtime.
Battery status: Tracks the health and charge level of your vehicle battery and, much like the above point, prevents potential downtime.
CANbus vs. traditional vehicle wiring
Prior to CANbus, vehicles used what was known as "point-to-point" wiring, which meant that every part needed a separate wire to communicate. The more wires a car had, the heavier and more complicated a car's wiring system became.
CANbus revolutionised that system, and here’s how it compares:
Fewer wires: Instead of needing separate wires for each signal, CANbus uses just 2 wires to connect all electronic control units (ECUs). As a result, wiring complexity is significantly reduced.
Easier adaptability: CANbus makes it much easier to add or modify components without needing to rewire the entire system, which is ideal for modern vehicles stacked with advanced features.
More reliable data transmission: The network-style communication means that data flows more smoothly, with less risk of interference or signal loss.
CANbus connects all parts of the vehicle, allowing these core elements to communicate with each other and produce live data. Examples of systems that use CANbus include:
Engine control
Transmission
ABS and brakes
Infotainment systems
Airbags and safety features
Telematics systems
Why is CANbus important for modern fleets?
CANbus ensures that you and your business won’t be running blind; this is something you simply can’t afford when owning or managing a fleet. CANbus cuts out the reactive damage control and instead encourages proactive, preemptive action.
Here’s more on why CANbus is essential to your fleet:
Accurate data collection: CANbus connects into multiple vehicle systems, providing a continuous, centralised feed of accurate data. This eliminates guesswork and allows fleet managers to truly understand what’s happening under the hood.
Early fault detection: By accessing Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), CANbus allows for early fault detection, enabling preventative maintenance before small issues become costly problems. It also captures harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and other driving behaviours in real time — helping you improve safety and reduce risk.
Improved operations: With rich, live data at their fingertips, fleet managers can make faster, smarter decisions. That translates into reduced downtime, safer roads, and a leaner, more cost-effective operation.
How to know if your vehicle has CANbus (and how to access it)
You’ll be happy to know that almost every vehicle (from passenger cars to large-scale trucks) that’s been manufactured after 2008 is likely to be fitted with CANbus as a standard. Cartrack will also carry out a complete assessment to make sure that your vehicle or vehicles support CANbus, so you don’t have to worry.
If you still want to manually check, though, here’s what you’d need to do:
Look for the OBD-II port: The On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) port essentially acts as a plug-in point for any technology and tools used to scan, monitor, and get access to real-time data from the vehicle. This port is typically found in the dashboard and near the driver’s seat.
Look for the CAN wiring: As previously mentioned, the CAN High and CAN Low are the 2 wires that CANbus systems use. These wires can be colour-coded; the colouring depends on the manufacturer, but they’re often green (CAN High) and yellow (CAN Low). Because the colours vary, you can check by tracing the wires back to the diagnostics port. Experienced technicians depend on diagnostic tools (and not just the wire colours) to accurately verify the CAN wires.
Benefits of using CANbus in fleet management
CANbus has proved itself to be an extremely powerful tool and the key to accessing internal vehicle systems. Without it, there’s very little room for your fleet to unlock its potential to operate safer, smarter, and more cost-efficiently than ever.
Faster identification and fixing of problems: Fault codes are communicated to fleet managers in real time to ensure that issues are dealt with as quickly as possible. For example, if you get notified of a worn-out brake pad, you can address that before it becomes a much bigger (and more dangerous) problem.
Better compliance and reporting: Through the support of CANbus, you can receive streamlined reporting for things like maintenance logs and driver behaviour. This means that managing compliance is made easier, and accountability is held.
Common CANbus myths or misconceptions
Despite being found in practically all modern car models, CANbus technology is still the subject of some misunderstandings, such as the idea that it is complex or even primitive. Let’s clear the air:
“It’s only for diagnostics.” - CANbus is indeed used for diagnostics, but that’s not where its benefits end. It also allows for key fleet management feedback that supports smarter operations, such as driver behaviour reports and predictive maintenance insights.
“It’s complicated to use.” - While the technology itself is quite sophisticated, the outcome of the technology is straightforward. The information from CANbus is converted into insights that are digestible and require no extra effort from managers.
“You can’t trust third-party systems to read it.” - If fitted with the right Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) hardware, CANbus is a safe and perfect partner for third-party systems. It’s able to read CAN signals across various makes and models without hindering overall performance.
“CANbus is outdated tech.” - CANbus is actually the global standard for vehicle communication systems, remaining a foundational tool for features including telematics and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
How Cartrack utilises CANbus for better fleet control
Cartrack uses the power of CANbus to give fleet managers total and complete control, encouraging businesses to use the information already provided to them to their advantage. Here’s how Cartrack uses CANbus insight to give you better fleet control:
Vehicle health monitoring: This refers to predictive maintenance, ensuring that systems like battery health and oil pressure are constantly being tracked to avoid breakdowns.
Immediate fault code alerts: If a warning light comes up or there happens to be a more serious issue, Cartrack will take that information and immediately direct it to your dashboard so you’re always notified.
Seamless integration: Cartrack incorporates CANbus insights with insights from other analytics, including dashcams and driver reports, to create a detailed overview of vehicle and driver outcomes.
Fleetweb: CANbus data is reflected effectively via Fleetweb, giving fleet managers the opportunity to see all the necessary information in one place.
But what about the challenges of CANbus?
Nothing is 100% perfect; the same can be said for CANbus. Despite these obstacles, Cartrack can overcome them:
Interference or warranty problems: CANbus wiring is highly sensitive, so it’s fair to be concerned about improper fittings that could mean voided warranties or non-functioning signals. Cartrack has trained, professional, and expert technicians carrying out installations using tamper-proof hardware that’s also safe for the integrity of your vehicles.
Older vehicles: Pre-2008 vehicles typically don’t support CANbus or may use other types of systems. Because Cartrack’s technicians carry out full compatibility assessments before any installation, other telematics solutions can be suggested to you so you don’t lose out on the ability to collect insightful data.
Misunderstanding data: The preliminary data that comes from CANbus can be overwhelming, especially considering that it’s extremely technical and uncategorised. Cartrack’s Fleetweb platform takes all of this raw data and automatically processes it, so you’re able to see exactly what you’ve chosen to see in a digestible format.
CANbus is the key to smarter fleets
At the end of it all, CANbus is the hidden gem behind high-efficiency fleet execution. By connecting your vehicle’s internal systems, it unlocks real-time insights that help you take decisive action.
When Cartrack steps in, we make that data work to its full potential, taking your standard operations and transforming them into improved, dynamic, and motivated fleet management.
See what’s really happening under the hood. Chat to an expert at Cartrack so you can discover what we do to help you make the most of your CANbus insights.
FAQs
Q: Which cars are equipped with CANbus?
A: Almost all cars manufactured after 2008 are equipped with CANbus; in South Africa, this is especially true, with CANbus remaining practically a standard in modern vehicles.
Q: Is CANbus a secure and safe system?
A: Yes; CANbus is secure and operates as a closed-loop system, meaning that it uses a regulated feedback system as a way to minimise failures and improve stability. With the help of Cartrack, you can ensure tightened security of your data through our tamper-resistant and reliable protection.
Q: Can my CANbus data be accessed by Cartrack without compromising my warranties?
A: Yes; Cartrack's technicians are dedicated professionals who understand the importance of non-invasive installations. Because of this, your vehicle’s warranty won’t lapse.
Q: Can CANbus identify problems with a vehicle early on?
A: Yes; CANbus is constantly monitoring systems to ensure that any issues are being detected early, with the hopes of preventing emergency breakdowns or downtime.
Discover smarter fleet control with CANbus technology. Learn what it is, how it works, and how Cartrack uses it to put your vehicle data to work.
