AUTO ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING
ESITRONIC 2.0: FUTURE-PROOF AND EFFICIENT Bosch explains its diagnostic tester provides access to the latest diagnostic protocols and technologies According to Bosch, every third independent workshop today in Europe uses Esitronic, the comprehensive workshop software from Bosch for multi-brand diagnosis on passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks and off-highway vehicles. Bosch Esitronic 2.0 is a comprehensive diagnostic software program for the maintenance, diagnosis and repairs of vehicles with more than 200,000 active users worldwide. The software bundle covers more than 90,000 vehicles across more than 150 different brands. Bosch explains that Esitronic eases troubleshooting requirements at the workshop by providing maintenance schedules, repair instructions and circuit diagrams. When using Esitronic 2.0 Online, Bosch says all data and information is always up to date, without any need for time-consuming updates. Bosch says new practical features and functions within the Esitronic software also support workshops concerning future developments and the constantly growing demands placed on diagnoses. It says this also includes diagnostic access to Mercedes-Benz and FCA-group vehicles with vehicle electronics protected against manipulation and unauthorised access as well as the information type, “experience-based repair” (EBR). By now, the EBR database comprises practical
notes and experiences shared about more than a million common repair cases and vehicle combinations. Moreover, the diagnostic tester KTS 250 has also been upgraded, with the new version now also including an e-mailing function easing everyday work for the mechanics using it.
Diagnosis and maintenance of protected vehicle electronics From September 2020, all new vehicle models in Europe have been required to be equipped with secure diagnostic access in accordance with EU Regulation 2018/858. This regulation provides for the protection of
vehicle electronics against manipulation and unauthorised access. Following FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), Mercedes-Benz AG is now, amongst others, also introducing such safety measures in a two-stage concept. Bosch explains that by means of its update 2020/1.02, workshops using Bosch Esitronic workshop software will receive the necessary software update to perform comprehensive diagnostic, service and repair tasks without any restrictions even on Mercedes-Benz vehicles with secured diagnostic access. In order to meet the requirements of the mentioned EU regulation, the vehicle manufacturers work on safety concepts that often include restrictions on access to the vehicle electronics. For this purpose and as a first step, MercedesBenz AG is using an extension of the so-called Seed and Key procedure. This is based on a special algorithm that is required to enable the protected functions. The mode of operation is similar to that of a Security Gateway. However, the Bosch solution does not require any registration at the vehiclemanufacturer portal. Without unlocking, certain functions such as calibration of driver assistance systems will be blocked and future access will be restricted to ECU identification, readout of actual values as well as readout or deletion of the fault memory. Several Mercedes-Benz models produced as of the last quarter of 2019 are already equipped with Seed and Key.
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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine March 2021
