A company sells a nifty device that records data from the OBD computer of most cars made 1996 and later with a few exceptions - the new Mazda 6 is one of those exceptions - both i and s models. Can anyone find out what if the RX-8 will be use the "CAN" protocol which makes their "CarChip" product not work with it's OBD system? More information can be see at their web site, www.davisnet.com . Thanks!

what the hell is an OBD?
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Originally posted by P00Man
what the hell is an OBD? Ditto :confused:

On-Board-Diagnostic computer for emissions. OBD I was first, of course, and OBD II was required, I thought, for all cars starting in 1996 - one of the reasons the RX-7 left our shores. I don't know much about the specifics, but that's generally what it's about.

I am not sure what year OBD started, and I didn't know 'version 2' (OBD-II) started in '96, though the davisnet website would bear that out as their chip works with 96 and new cars. In a nutshell, I believe it is a standardized way for automobile diagnostic computers to connect to any car and gather information about voltages, RPM, temperatures, compression, intake volumes, pressure, and other such operating data. That way a service place doesn't need a separate computer to read a Honda or a Mazda or a GM. I believe it is to what a dealer or other shop connects with to get error codes and such. That's about all I know.

Originally posted by rx8daniel
In a nutshell, I believe it is a standardized way for automobile diagnostic computers to connect to any car and gather information about voltages, RPM, temperatures, compression, intake volumes, pressure, and other such operating data. That way a service place doesn't need a separate computer to read a Honda or a Mazda or a GM. I believe it is to what a dealer or other shop connects with to get error codes and such. That's about all I know.
yes, well said. "All cars built since January 1, 1996 have OBD-II systems. Manufacturers started incorporating OBD-II in various models as early as 1994. Some early OBD-II cars were not 100% compliant." also, here in texas any code automatically fails you on your yearly emission test.

of course, what's a post without a link worth these days? --> OBD-II (http://www.obdii.com)

*edited with link and for content*

Originally posted by med_mx6

also, here in texas any code automatically fails you on your yearly emission test.


North Carolina is also switching to reading OBD data for emissions testing. No "sniffer" will be required.

Early tests have shown a high number of failures. I believe I read that if you haven't done some required amount of highway driving in the last 30 days before your test, OBD can't provide the required data, and you automatically fail. Not 100% positive on that, but I know there was a story in the News & Observer pertaining to the issue.

I saw an ad on Speed the other night, for an OBDII reader that works with your Palm Pilot and an adapter cable. Not the first time that's been done, but this one also allowed you to use the time and speed readings to calcluate horsepower, in much the same way as a Geez cube or GTechPro accelerometer.

Wish I could remember the company name or URL. Anyone? Beuller?

If the states are going to simple reader and depend on your car's computer, it would be a simple matter for a company to market an OBD-II reprogrammer to fake the passing readings.

I have a query in to rx8orders and they said they would find out and get back to me. Will post an update here when I get it!

From rx8orders:
"I've just received an answer from our Product Planning department
regarding your earlier question about the OBD system. The 2004 Mazda
RX-8 uses CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol.

Hope this helps!"

this makes the Davis system unusable apparently, at least for now. <rats>