The technical ecosystem of Alltrucks: Cross-brand for the commercial vehicle workshop

Früher grenzte ein erfahrener Mechaniker Fehler mit Ohren, Händen und einem Multimeter ein. Heute stehen dagegen hochvernetzte Steuergeräte, verschlüsselte Protokolle und Software auf modernem Niveau im Mittelpunkt. Für freie NFZ-Werkstätten und öffnende OE-Werkstätten heißt das: Ein leistungsfähiges, markenübergreifendes Diagnosesystem ist die technische Grundvoraussetzung für die Arbeit an modernen Lkw. Markenübergreifende Tools bündeln die Abdeckung zahlreicher Nutzfahrzeugmarken in einer einzigen Plattform. In der Alltrucks-Partnerwerkstatt ist das die Alltrucks multi-brand diagnostics auf Basis des Bosch KTS Truck V3. Darin ist die Knorr-Bremse-Diagnoselösung als Gründerhaus-Beitrag vollständig integriert. Das Ergebnis: keine Systembrüche, komfortabel in der Bedienung. Darauf baut folglich das gesamte Alltrucks Diagnose-Ökosystem auf.

Moderne markenübergreifende Systeme decken MAN, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, Scania, Volvo, Renault Trucks, IVECO, Ford Trucks sowie weitere europäische und asiatische Hersteller ab. Entscheidend ist dabei nicht die Markenabdeckung allein, sondern die Tiefe: Lesen und Löschen von Fehlercodes ist die Basis — relevanter sind dagegen Aktortests, Kalibrierungen, Parametrierungen und softwarebasierte Servicefreigaben. Für gemischte Kundenflotten mit mehreren NFZ-Marken ist deshalb eine einheitliche Mehrmarken-Plattform die praxistaugliche Grundlage. Für markenspezifische Sonderfälle bleibt dagegen der OEM-Portalzugang der vorgesehene Weg.

Für den Alltrucks-Partnerbetrieb ist die Alltrucks Mehrmarkendiagnose das Arbeitsgerät im Mehrmarken-Alltag. Der OEM-Portalzugang ist dagegen die Ergänzung für herstellerspezifische Software-Updates, tiefgreifende Steuergeräte-Parametrierungen und sicherheitsrelevante Funktionen unter SERMI.

Technical framework: Modern commercial vehicle diagnostic protocols are based on ISO 14229 (Unified Diagnostic Services, UDS) on. The diagnostic data structuring is also available via ISO 22901 (ODX - Open Diagnostic Data Exchange) is standardised. The following also applies to the EMC conformity of the diagnostic hardware used ECE R10 as a binding basis. The EU Regulation 2018/858 regulates access to repair and maintenance information (RMI), SERMI on the other hand, the conditions of access to safety-relevant systems. Within this legal framework, Alltruck's multi-brand diagnostics and OEM portal access thus form two complementary levels of daily workshop work.

For decades, access to the manufacturer's own diagnostic systems was the OEM authorised dealers' strongest argument against independent workshops. Those without a contract simply could not access the relevant control units for many repairs. However, EU Regulation 2018/858 has fundamentally changed this situation since September 2020. As a result, independent workshops now have a statutory right to access the same repair and maintenance information (RMI) that is also available to OEM workshops.

• Technical information: Circuit diagrams, troubleshooting instructions, operating values, setting data, test programmes and calibration instructions.
• Diagnostic access: Complete access to all control units via standardised interfaces, including actuator tests and parameterisation.
• Software updates: Access to control unit software and firmware updates required for repair and maintenance.
• Safety-relevant systems: Access to anti-theft protection, immobiliser and safety-critical systems - in compliance with SERMI requirements.
• Training documents: The same technical training materials that authorised dealers receive.

Die Fuhrparks der Kunden werden zunehmend gemischter. Typischerweise fahren in einer mittleren Flotte heute bereits mehrere NFZ-Marken parallel. Die Alltrucks Mehrmarkendiagnose ist als strategische Ergänzung zum OEM-Zugang gedacht. Für markenspezifische Sonderfälle bleibt nämlich der direkte OEM-Portalzugang der vorgesehene Weg; für den täglichen Mehrmarken-Betrieb liefert dagegen die Mehrmarkendiagnose die praxistaugliche Plattform.

SERMI certification (Security-Related Repair and Maintenance Information) has been mandatory for security-relevant systems - immobiliser, key programming, anti-theft devices - since 2023. It includes an identity check, a reliability check and defined security standards. Accredited conformity assessment bodies carry out the certification in the respective member state and it is valid for three years. Without SERMI, however, safety-relevant parts of the order (key/immobiliser) remain structurally closed to a workshop.

Practical Insight: The EU Regulation 2018/858 is not only a legal shield. It is also a negotiating tool vis-à-vis OEMs. In everyday practice, some manufacturer portals refuse access even several years after the regulation came into force or charge disproportionately high fees. In such cases, it is therefore worth escalating via the independent workshop association or directly with the responsible national type approval authority. Experience from the Alltrucks network shows: Documented escalations with reference to the RMI regulation usually lead to a rectification by the OEM. At the same time, workshops should also log their RMI portal accesses in an audit-proof manner (date, vehicle VIN, diagnostic effort) in order to have evidence in the event of a dispute about the invoice amount or data delivery. In addition to the type approval authority, accredited testing organisations are also points of contact for workshops.

The Alltrucks multi-brand diagnostics ist das Arbeitsgerät, mit dem Partnerwerkstätten gemischte Fuhrparks effizient bedienen. Regelmäßige Software-Releases erweitern dabei laufend die Fahrzeugabdeckung (inklusive neuer E-Lkw-Modelle). Außerdem liefern sie Updates für Hochvolt-Diagnosemodule sowie eine aktuelle ADAS-Kalibrierführung und erweiterte Software-Update-Funktionen über Pass-Through.

Noch kein Alltrucks Partner? Im Werkstattalltag unterstützen sechs technische Support-Komponenten Ihre Arbeit: die Alltrucks technology hotline for vehicle and system-specific queries, the Alltrucks Help Desk for structured ticket processing, Tips and tricks as a curated practical knowledge base, On-site support zur Einrichtung der Diagnose in Ihrer Werkstatt, Remote Support für die geführte Live-Unterstützung bei Diagnoseproblemen und das Alltrucks Technology Forum for the exchange of experience in the network - live at forum-alltrucks.com.

• HV battery diagnostics: Readout of the battery management system, cell voltages and temperatures at module level, state-of-health calculation. Supports Mercedes-Benz eActros/eEconic, Volvo FH/FM Electric and DAF XD Electric.
• Charger and charging system diagnostics: Readout of CCS charging communication, insulation monitoring, diagnosis of charging errors. In practice, charging problems with electric lorries occur more frequently than drive problems.
• E-drivetrain diagnostics: Inverter, electric motor and recuperation system. Actuator tests, parameterisation of the recuperation stages and cooling system diagnostics for the power electronics.

The systematic, guided evaluation of existing diagnostic data is also helpful in everyday workshop work. An example: A tractor unit shows P0299 (boost pressure too low) and P0401 (EGR flow rate too low). An experienced diagnostician recognises the pattern of a defective vacuum line that affects both systems simultaneously. Guided diagnostic workflows in modern diagnostic platforms support this pattern recognition via circuit diagrams, test instructions and live values. This is a noticeable relief for less experienced mechanics, especially in the case of complex multiple fault patterns.

ADAS calibration in the current diagnostic software is structured as a guided process. The guided calibration leads the mechanic step by step through vehicle positioning, target board alignment and verification. Front camera (in increasing model width), 77 GHz front radar, side radar for MAN, DAF and Volvo as well as lidar sensors in the commercial vehicle sector are also supported. Each calibration is also automatically logged with the date, time, vehicle data and result - a decisive advantage for liability safety.

Practical framework: ADAS calibration is a separate discipline with clearly structured process management. In practice, a guided front camera calibration typically takes 60-90 minutes, while a complete radar calibration takes 90-120 minutes. The investment in ADAS targets, lidar tools and training is also one of the equipment items of a modern commercial vehicle diagnostics workshop; technically relevant factors include ISO 14229 (UDS) and ECE R10 (EMV). With Alltrucks partners, the Alltrucks training the development of ADAS and HV expertise through to certification as a multi-brand system technician; please contact us for individual qualification requirements.

More and more control units in modern commercial vehicles are protected by a security gateway - engine control, brake control, immobiliser. Without activation, there is therefore no write access, no calibration, no software update. However, access to the OEM backend is not tied to a single form of access. In addition to classic OEM contract access, independent garages can also use gateway pass-through technology as a session-based variant. This enables authenticated access to protected control units within the conditions specified by the RMI legal framework (EU 2018/858) and SERMI.

The multi-brand VCI serves as a „pass-through“ - hence the name Pass-Through. On the one hand, it connects to the vehicle via OBD, and on the other hand to the OEM backend via the Internet. The OEM server recognises the authenticated workshop, checks the SERMI certification and sends a time-limited activation token to the security gateway. The gateway then opens access for the duration of the session - typically 30 to 120 minutes. During this time, the workshop therefore has full access to all protected control units, including software updates and parameterisation.

Mercedes-Benz, DAF, IVECO and Ford Trucks support pass-through via the standardised J2534 interface. They also work with third-party VCIs such as the Bosch KTS series. MAN, Scania, Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks, on the other hand, use proprietary protocols and require proprietary VCI hardware or portals. Pass-Through is transaction-based per access - a billing model per diagnostic session that offers a second form of subscription for authenticated ECU access in parallel to the classic OEM portal contract.

Gateway Passthrough is particularly suitable for workshops with broad brand coverage and a manageable volume per brand - in other words, for classic multi-brand operations. Conversely, high, brand-specific volumes tend to favour the full OEM annual licence. Which type of licence per brand suits the respective workshop profile is therefore a planning question based on the actual order structure, not general rules of thumb - let's go through the right constellation for your business together.

Technical categorisation: Pass-Through ist technisch elegant, organisatorisch dagegen anspruchsvoll. Eine häufige Fehlerquelle im Alltag ist zudem eine zu langsame oder instabile Internetverbindung — ein abgebrochener Software-Flash am Steuergerät kann nämlich zum Ausfall des betroffenen Steuerungssystems führen. Eine dedizierte Glasfaserleitung mit Mobilfunk-Backup ist daher sinnvoll. Die zweite häufige Fehlerquelle sind nicht zertifizierte oder veraltete VCI-Adapter. Marktübliche Mehrmarken-Diagnoseplattformen aktualisieren ihre VCI-Firmware regelmäßig. Deshalb gehört ein fest terminierter Firmware-Check in jede Werkstatt-Routine und wird im Diagnose-Logbuch dokumentiert.