Vehicle Technical Data: Understanding the Backbone of Automotive

In the current automobile market, vehicle technical data is a pivotal source of information in regard to the design, production, maintenance, and regulations of vehicles. Understanding vehicle technical data informs an engineer, technician, fleet manager, or even a knowledgeable vehicle owner about the performance, safety, and efficiency of vehicles.

Vehicle technical data is a generic term for a wide range of information that is inclusive of vehicle engine specifications, transmission types, emissions, and safety features, and the article will examine the relevance, types, and uses of vehicle technical data in today's automotive industry.

What is Vehicle Technical Data?

Vehicle technical data is the information that communicates the specifications and parameters defining the physical, mechanical and electronic aspects of a vehicle. Technical data about a vehicle is typically provided by vehicle manufacturers and the technical data may be utilized for diagnostic purposes, repairs, compliance, and performance enhancements.

Vehicle technical data could address numerous potential data points such as engine displacement and engine power output, wheel alignment specifications and steering types, tire pressures and characteristics, brake types and configurations, and onboard computer system diagnostics.

Core Elements of Vehicle Specification Data 

1. Engine Specification Data: When reviewing the specification data for a vehicle, the engine specification data is arguably the most important. Engine specification data typically includes engine type (inline, V-type), displaced volume (liters or cubic centimeters), horsepower, torque, number of cylinders, and fuel type. These parameters are necessary for establishing the vehicle's performance and efficiency. 

2. Transmission Specification Data: Transmission specification will also provide a general description of the type of transmission in the vehicle, (e.g., automatic, manual, continuously variable transmission (CVT)), and number of gears). This data can influence the driving experience, fuel economy, and maintenance periods of any vehicle. 

3. Chassis and Suspension Components: Information on the vehicle's chassis type, suspension type (e.g., multi-link, MacPherson strut), and steering type (e.g., rack and pinion) are equally valuable when assessing the ride comfort and handling of the vehicle. 

4. Vehicle Dimensions and Weight: Specification data provides a diagrammatic representation of the dimension of the vehicle (e.g., upright length, width, height, wheelbase) but also provides the gross weight and curb weight of the vehicle. These parameters impact the vehicle's aerodynamics, fuel consumption, and load capacity. 

5. Fuel Economy and Emissions: Fuel economy (or fuel consumption) is generally provided in terms of city and highway fuel consumption (miles/gallon), and CO? emissions. With the focus on environmental issues, this data is now more desirable to consumers and regulatory bodies.

6. Safety features: Safety features such as airbags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and crash test ratings represent a vital component of vehicle technical data. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), such as lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking, are now frequently included. 

7. Onboard diagnostic (OBD): Most vehicles now have OBD, which continuously monitors vehicle and engine performance and alerts the driver if a malfunction is detected. OBD codes form part of vehicle technical data which is used as the basis for diagnostics and repairs.

8. Electrical system: Technical data increasingly include battery capacity, electric motor specifications, and charging specifications, given the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles. 

Applications of Vehicle Technical Data

The applications of vehicles technical data are varied and span many sectors:

Manufacturing and Design: Engineers use technical data to design vehicles that meet standards for performance, safety, and environmental impact.

Maintenance and Repair: Mechanics use this data to correctly diagnose issues, perform repairs, and conduct regular maintenance. Repair manuals and software tools rely primarily on this data.  

Fleet Management: Fleet managers use tech data to monitor vehicle health, ensure most fuel conservation, mitigate downtime, plan maintenance and reduce costs. 

Insurance and resale: Insurance companies can determine risk based on the specifications of each vehicle. Buyers and sellers consider technical data to ascertain the value of a vehicle, and identify whether it will be fit for their own needs. 

Regulatory: Government Agencies can determine if manufacturers are designing vehicles to meet safety and emissions. Also, vehicle data can be used for inspections and certifications. 

Innovation and development: Automakers and technology companies are constantly analyzing technical data to develop next-generation features such as advancements in autonomous driving systems and connected vehicle technologies.

Access to Vehicle Technical Data

Obtaining accurate and reliable technical data may be difficult, especially for independent repair facilities and also for consumers. For the most part, OEMs hold and control the flow of that data, creating challenges in obtaining vehicle technical data; however, global initiatives and legislation in the EU and the U.S. are working to open the flow of vehicle information to improve market access and consumer awareness.

Technical data can be acquired through online databases, service manuals, and diagnostic equipment. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) are also efforts and organizations focused on dissemination and standardization of technical information.

The Future of Vehicle Technical Data

With the accelerating move to digital, connected, and electrified vehicles, the volume and complexity of technical data is increasing rapidly. Artificial intelligence and machine learning programs are being developed to assess large volumes of data (e.g., predictive maintenance and diagnostics) directly produced by vehicles at a steady state.

In addition, vehicles are continuously producing data from the expanding use of telematics and various Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Managing, securing, and making sense of this data allows for advancements in the automotive industry, but it can also cause challenges.

Conclusion

Vehicle technical data is foundational to the automotive industry. Technical data is critical to supporting safety, performance, and efficiency across the life cycle of a vehicle. The role of technical data will no doubt be deeper and more important as automotive technology advances, not just in vehicle and repair engineering but as an essential part of innovation and efforts towards sustainability. For those working in any part of the automotive space, there is not a choice about understanding and using vehicle technical data, there is only a necessity.