Explanations & Reference Values
Explanations & Reference Values
Engine speed
Engine revolutions. Same as the instrument rev counter, only this reading is digital.
Calculate load
Indication of the amount of load in terms of airflow generated by the engine (not torque or horsepower)
during idle, when towing, travelling uphill, accelleration etc. It is not measured by a dedicated sensor,
but rather calculated using various parameters. The output is in percentage from the peak airflow. How
it is calculated exactly is different for each manufacturer but it might include readings from the MAF,
MAP, engine speed, throttle position or intake air temp and pressure sensors.
Reference: Idle - around 16%, WOT - 95% and above (peak airflow)
MAF
MAF or mass airflow is the amount of air being sucked (technical term, honest ) into engine
measured just after the airfilter. The output is in grams per second.
MAP
Manifold absolute pressure is the pressure measured inside the manifold just before the EGR where the
feed for the sensor is located. The ECU uses these readings to determine EGR flow among others. The
output is in kiloPascals.
Intake air
Temperature of the air past the air filter, measured by sensor inside the MAF meter. Output in degrees
Celsius
Intake air temp (turbo)
Temperature of the air entering the intake manifold (also intercooler air temp), as measured by the
sensor at the intercooler outlet. Not to be confused with the intake air temp sensor housed inside the
MAF, which is used for different purposes.
Coolant temp
Actual coolant temperature with the engine running. Sensor is located just above waterpump. Engine is
considered warm when coolant temp is upwards of 86 deg C.
Battery voltage
Voltage of either the battery or the charging system (alternator), depending on wether the engine is
running or not. Output in Volts.
Reference: Engine off - around 12 Volts (battery), Engine on - around 13.5 Volts (charging)
Accelerator position
Position of the accelator pedal, calculated in percentages.
Injection volume
The total amount of fuel being injected into the cylinders. Output is in cubic millimeters per stroke.
Fuel press
Actual common rail fuel pressure. Output in kiloPascal (gauge).
Fuel temperature
Temperature of the fuel entering the fuel pump. Output in degrees Celsius.
Reference: 0-95%
EGR VSV
State of the EGR vacuum switching valve, which is used to open and close the EGR valve. Located on the
side of the EGR (brown if I'm not mistaken).
VN Turbo command
Opening of the turbo variable vanes. At low rpm the vanes are partially closed for better boost at lower
RPM's and they open up as the engine speed climbs. Closing vanes are indicated by an increasing
percentage, and the percentage decreases with the vanes opening up.
SPD (NO)
Transmission input shaft speed. Output in rpm's
ECT Lock-up
State of the torque converter lock-up mechanism. Lock-up improves fuel economy at highway speeds.