OBD2 is a system used by gas-powered vehicles since 1996 and diesels since 2008. It allows you to plug a scanner into your vehicle’s OBD2 port (under the dashboard, generally on the driver’s side) and access the diagnostic information stored in it.
This can be helpful when you need to fix a problem or get your car back on the road. A scan tool can read and clear diagnostic trouble codes, reset the check engine light, monitor live data, and even customise features in your vehicle.
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What’s an OBD2 Scanner?
An OBD2 scanner is a handy device that can be plugged into almost every modern vehicle’s OBD port to get valuable information and real-time data about various systems in the car. They’re also a good way to avoid costly breakdowns and repairs when a problem isn’t caught early enough.
Basically, the OBD2 system began in 1996 for gas-powered vehicles and 2008 for diesels, and it’s the standard way that many cars and trucks communicate with each other. It lets car owners monitor their engine and emissions system performance, record data and report problems.
To use an OBD2 scanner, plug it into the OBD port, which is typically under or near the steering wheel column on the driver’s side of the dashboard. Then turn the car on and give the scanner time to initialize.
Then the scanner will display a series of letters and numbers that represent trouble codes, and the first step is to learn what each one means. Some scanners will even save this data for you.
FIXD
FIXD is a sensor that pairs with any iPhone or Android smartphone and connects to your car’s OBD2 port. This is an incredibly convenient way to keep track of your vehicle and check for issues.
It can help you decode the check engine light, displaying error codes and providing readings on why it’s on. It can also help you understand underlying problems, so you can tell your mechanic exactly what’s wrong.
The FIXD app is lightweight, simple to use and can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play store or ancel.com. It’s also incredibly convenient to use because you don’t have to remove it from your car to charge it, as it charges from the OBD2 port on your vehicle.
It can detect over 7000 maladies that your car might have, including over 6800 of the most common problems that cause the check engine light to pop on. It’s a great tool for keeping your car healthy and avoiding expensive repairs.
Code Readers
OBD2 is an on-board diagnostic system that was introduced in 1996 to help automotive technicians diagnose a variety of problems with a car. This is done by recording codes that mean different things and storing them in a computer memory.
OBD2 monitors collect information from the vehicle’s engine and also other systems to make sense of these codes. These sensors can read and write data on such factors as air and coolant temperatures, engine rpm, road speed, throttle opening and more.
The most basic and cheapest code reader will connect to the OBD II port and tell you what the error is. You can then clear it and turn off the check engine light.
Scan tools, on the other hand, are more advanced and can provide more detailed information about the codes they are reading, and can also provide live data. These are usually a bit more expensive and can be used to confirm diagnoses or test parts on the vehicle.
Scan Tools
An OBD2 scan tool plugs into the car’s diagnostic port and reads and reports codes that are recorded in the computer. These codes are called Diagnostic Trouble Codes or DTCs and often point to a problem that needs to be fixed.
A good OBD2 scanner can help you resolve a problem that might otherwise be a hassle to fix and save you trips to the mechanics. However, it’s important to know how to use one of these devices properly.
Some OBD2 scanners can perform a variety of functions, but the best ones are designed to do more than simply display and clear trouble codes and reset the check engine light. They’re also capable of accessing recorded data and graphing information to help you understand the nature of a problem and what repairs are required.
For example, the Innova CarScan Pro is a dedicated OBD2 scanner that delivers pro-grade functionality at a consumer price. It connects to your car’s OBD2 port and can be controlled via a smartphone app called BlueDriver.