Freeze Frame Data: What You Need to Know

What is freeze frame data?

Technician A says erasing the code with a scan tool will erase the corresponding freeze frame data. Technician B says the freeze frame data is the sensor and output status data at the instant the DTC was set. Who is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. both A and B
d. neither A nor B

Answer:

Both technicians are right. Freeze frame data gives an exact snapshot of vehicle performance when a fault is detected. Erasing the code also erases this data.

Both Technician A and Technician B are correct, so the answer is c. Both A and B. Freeze frame data is, as Technician B states, the sensor and output status data at the moment the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) was set. It gives an accurate snapshot of the performance of your vehicle at the time any fault was detected. Technician A is also correct. Deleting the code using a scan tool will also erase the corresponding freeze frame data. Therefore, it's crucial to document this data before any codes are cleared if it may be needed for further analysis.