Car Electronics - The history of cars written in it

In modern cars, electronics are responsible for monitoring almost all relevant elements. Thanks to it, we are able to perform electronic car diagnostics and learn many facts from the history of the car - including the actual mileage.

In the past, automotive electronics were limited to injection molding and ABS control systems. Along with technological developments, it has begun to add electronic controls and controls to the operation of more and more elements of car equipment, such as the control of lights, suspension or even the diffuser of cabin air. This happened after the popularization of the CAN highway, ie. a system that allows data to be transferred between car components.

Thanks to this invention, new possibilities have opened up in automotive diagnostics. Numerous interconnected sensors analyze a multitude of key data for the current operation of individual systems and their maintenance or repair. For example - the brake controller informs about the number of pressures on the brake pedal, and the airbag controller records critical errors together with the mileage.

Advances in automotive electronics have forced many workshops to purchase new equipment and train employees. In turn, it opened up new possibilities for users to verify the history of the car. In fact, anyone who is interested in a used car is afraid that the meter might "turn it back". The fraud of an unscrupulous seller is usually found out immediately after a detailed inspection of the car by an experienced service technician, and it is not necessary to work in an authorized service center. It must be admitted, however, that in the case of professional "correction" of mileage, ie correction of data contained in the modules, this unfair practice is still difficult to detect.

Checking the actual mileage of a used car is just one of the benefits that a detailed overview of automotive electronics can give. Below are examples of actions that can be performed on the electronics of the most popular car brands. Caution! These are just cumulative examples; the ability to scan the car in detail, depending on the model, and often also on the engine version.

Audi - electronics

Model examples: Audi A3 (8P, 2003-2013), Auof A4 (B8, 2007-2015), Audi A5 (8T, 2007-2016), Audi A6 (C6, 2004-2011), Audi A8 (D4, 2009-2017), Audi Q5 (8R, 2008-2017), Audi Q7 (4L, 2005-2015)

• multimedia system: allows you to read hours of operation, and when you divide it at average speed, you can also determine the approximate vehicle mileage;
• automatic transmission: the transmission controller records the mileage, total running time and errors along with the mileage. In some gearboxes, reading data from the controller requires removing it;
• engine controller: records the car's mileage, but experts who "turn" the mileage rarely forget about it.

Other options for Audi car electronics:

• deletion of service inspection;
• adjusting the comfort function parameters: intensity of the rear position lights, switching on hazard lights during emergency braking;
• SRS module: faults indicate which pads and tensioners were fired during the collision;
• Checking the mileage on the key

BMW - electronics

Model examples: BMW 1 Series (E81 / 82/87/88, 2004-2011; F20 / 21, from 2011), BMW 3 Series (E90-93, 2005-2013; F30 / 31/35, 2011-2018), BMW 5 Series (E60 / 61, 2003-2010; F10/11/18, 2010-2017), BMW 7 Series (E65 / 66, 2001-2008; F01-04, 2008-2015) 

• key: contains basic car information including VIN, last engine start date, mileage (updated every 100 km);
• DSC module: displays parameters related to the stability control system, ie. the mileage at which the DSC system was last activated, the speed at that time, and even the brake fluid level;
• master cylinder: allows you to determine the actual mileage in two ways. First - based on the number of brake pedal presses (assuming that for 1 km the driver presses the pedal 1,5-2 times, a car with 300 km should have 000 pedal pressures). Second - based on pump operating time (based on average speed);
• SMG gearbox (automated): thanks to diagnostics, we will find out how long the car has been driven in sports mode;
• optional modules: you can program, among other things, speeds, after which the door will automatically close, switch on the daytime running lights and turn on the lights or switch off the lights when the car is closed.

Other Options for BMW Car Electronics:

• checking the module production date;
• Access to component operating parameters, e.g. battery voltage, coolant temperature, exact speed and engine running time.

Citroen/Peugeot - electronics

Examples of models: Citroen C4 Picasso (2006-2013), Peugeot 308 I (2007-2013), Peugeot 308 II (since 2013), Peugeot 407 (2004-2011), Peugeot 508 I (2010-2018) 

• Comfort module: records comfort function errors and determines the mileage at which the problem occurred;
• diesel particulate filter: DPF fill status information, regeneration flow.

Other Citroen / Peugeot Car Electronics Options:

• activating the comfort function, ie. daytime running lights, automatic parking brake deactivation.

Fiat - electronics

Model examples: Fiat Grande Punto / Punto Evo (2005-2018), Fiat Bravo II (2007-2014), Fiat Croma (2005-2011)

• engine controller: remembers exact mileage and mileage since last service (also in Alfa and Lancia).

Ford - electronics

Model examples: Ford Mondeo IV (2007-2014), Ford S-Max I / Ford Galaxy (2006-2014)

•  The true mileage of the car is preserved, among other things, in the comfort module, the ABS system and the tire pressure control system (on some models).

Mazda

Model examples: Mazda 3 (BM, 2013-2019), Mazda 6 (GJ, from 2012), Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017), Mazda MX-5 (NC, 2005-2015) 

• Embedded electronics include, for example, the date and time of the last inspection, as well as engine / transmission errors along with mileage. Unfortunately, the information read should be decoded.

Mercedes

Model Examples: Mercedes C Class (W204, 2007-2014), Mercedes E Class (W211, 2002-2009; W212, 2009-2016), Mercedes S Class (W221, 2005-2013), Mercedes ML (W164, 2005-2011) ) 

• automatic transmission: saves, among other things, errors that occur along with mileage and working hours;
• particle filter: filter regeneration history, errors along with mileage;
• dashboard: records the history of inspections performed, ie. the appearance of lamps reminding you to visit the service;
• multimedia system: bugs found, e.g. system downtime, communication problems + mileage recorded;
• master cylinder: allows to determine the actual mileage based on the number of brake pedal presses;
• battery module: battery voltage, number of charges, time and mileage during which it was recharged or when a failure mode occurred.

Other features of Mercedes Car Electronics:

• control of key car components: charging system, lambda probe, throttle, EGR valve and others;
• security systems modules: thanks to them we will make sure that the car has a past behind;
• mileage in car key.

Reindeer

Model examples: Renault Megane II (2002-2009), Renault Megane III (2009-2016), Renault Laguna III (2007-2015), Renault Espace IV (2002-2014) 

• Hands Free card: contains information on vehicle mileage, tire pressure, oil and fuel level in the tank and VIN;
• comfort module: remembers mistakes that occur during use, along with mileage;
•  airbag control: records the activation of safety systems. If replaced, it has "clean" memory;
• DPF Filter Module: Data on failed filter start attempts and other parameters
   

Other Renault Car Electronics Options:

• recording mileage in the ABS module;
• programming comfort functions, e.g. details about Hands Free.

Skoda / Volkswagen - electronics

Model examples: Škoda Octavia II (2004-2013), Škoda Superb II (2008-2015), Volkswagen Golf V (2003-2009), Volkswagen Golf VI (2008-2013), Volkswagen Passat B6 (2005-2010) 

• engine control: records mileage but is often "corrected";
• automatic transmission: contains the current mileage of the vehicle - provided that the transmission has not been previously replaced;
• airbag controller: its data can only be read by the equipment of the manufacturer

Other Skoda / Volkswagen Car Electronics Options:

• determination of total power steering pump run time.

Conclusion

Doing car diagnostics with an experienced repairer if the dishonest seller has not changed the parameters of the key modules. We will learn the most history facts from the electronics of French and German cars; Japanese and niche brands (like Saab) have limited room for maneuver.

The increasing complexity of electronics means that in modern cars, especially luxury cars, it is increasingly difficult to return the meter. There are companies that deal with this, correcting the memory of almost all modules. Unfortunately, even salespeople who reduce their mileage with simple methods do not account for the problems, as many buyers do not check the vehicle.

Mladen

Hi there, I am Mladen and I am an auto enthusiast. I started this blog years ago to help like minded people share information about latest cars, car servicing ideas, used car info, exotic cars, and auto technology. You will find helpful articles and videos on a wide variety of cars - Audi, Mercedes, Toyota, Porsche, Volvo, BMW and much more. Ping us if you have anything cool to share on latest cars or on how to make older cars more efficient, or just want to say hi!