ISO 15031-2:2010

Overview

ISO 15031-2:2010 - Road vehicles: Communication between vehicle and external equipment for emissions-related diagnostics - Part 2 - provides guidance on the usage of terms, definitions, abbreviations and acronyms used in emissions-related diagnostics. It standardizes nomenclature for communication between vehicles and external diagnostic equipment and specifies a procedure for constructing new diagnostic terms. The document applies to light‑duty gasoline and diesel passenger vehicles and trucks, and heavy‑duty gasoline vehicles, helping create a common terminology for diagnostic tools, service publications and regulatory applications.

Key Topics

• Terminology and glossary guidance
  • Recommended usage of diagnostic terms, definitions, abbreviations and acronyms for electrical/electronic systems, with reference to related mechanical terms.
• Naming methodology
  • Procedure for naming objects and systems using a base word (noun) plus ordered modifiers (most to least significant) to ensure unambiguous, concise names (example: Instrumentation Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor).
  • Guidance on base words, modifiers, and assembling multi-word names.
• Shortened names and indexing
  • Rules for acronyms, abbreviations and shortened names to maintain clarity in diagnostics and documentation.
• References to SAE digital annexes
  • Links and dependency on SAE J1930-DA (terms and naming), SAE J1979 (diagnostic services/PIDs) and SAE J2012 (DTC definitions) for standardized data items.
• Scope and applicability
  • Intended for emissions-related diagnostics and OBD communications; supports external (off‑board) generic test equipment and documentation.

Applications

ISO 15031-2:2010 is practical for organizations and professionals who create or use emissions-related diagnostic information:

• OEMs and Tier suppliers - to maintain consistent naming in vehicle documentation and module interfaces.
• Diagnostic tool manufacturers - for consistent PID, DTC and interface labeling in scan tools and software.
• Repair shops and technicians - for clear service and repair manuals, bulletins and training material.
• Training organizations and technical authors - to standardize training manuals and repair databases.
• Regulatory bodies and certification labs - for emission labeling, certification documents and harmonized reporting.
• Typical deliverables: diagnostic/service manuals, repair databases, underhood emission labels, training manuals, and emissions certification applications.

Related Standards

• ISO 15031 series (general): Part 1, Part 3–7 (e.g., ISO 15031-5 on diagnostic services, ISO 15031-6 on DTC definitions)
• SAE documents referenced: SAE J1930-DA, SAE J1979-DA, SAE J2012-DA

ISO 15031-2:2010 supports consistent, unambiguous vehicle-to-external-equipment communication terminology, improving interoperability of diagnostic tools and clarity of emissions-related service documentation.