Regulations require that all automobile manufacturers establish a common communications system. The communication between the powertrain control module and the off-board diagnostic equipment (scan tool) is achieved on a serial communication line. Serial data is sent in linear form, one bit at a time, over the communication line.

This vehicle utilizes the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) communications protocol Keyword (KW) 2000 message structure. The KW-2000 protocol allows for the interchange of digital information between the on-board emission-related engine control modules of road vehicles and the OBD 2 scan tool as specified in SAE J1978. This communication enables the vehicle to be in compliance with the California Code of Regulation. The KW-2000 protocol is already in use by many automotive manufacturers worldwide.