Vehicle Health Monitoring (VHM) is the process of using onboard technology to continuously track the operational status and condition of a vehicle's critical components.

It goes far beyond the dashboard warning lights by providing detailed, real-time data to fleet managers or owners.

This is made possible by connecting a telematics device to the vehicle's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) port or CAN bus.

The system tracks a wide range of key data points.

This includes Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), which are specific fault codes generated by the vehicle's computer.

It also monitors vital parameters such as engine temperature, battery voltage, oil level, tire pressure, and fuel consumption.

More advanced systems can also track data from additional sensors related to braking systems, transmission, and emissions.

The primary goal of VHM is to shift from reactive to proactive management.

Instead of waiting for a breakdown, the system provides early warnings of potential issues.

This allows for timely maintenance, prevents minor faults from escalating into major repairs, improves driver safety, and maximizes vehicle uptime.

It is a foundational element for implementing more advanced strategies like condition-based or predictive maintenance.