Obd2 engine diagnostic tool

As mentioned above, Autel are a huge brand in the car diagnostic tool industry with plenty to choose from and the MD device is one of their latest models. It has a modern, sleek full color display x and a compact design, which you can comfortable grip in one hand. The benefit of purchasing an OBD2 scanner from Autel is that you receive a 1 year limited warranty and free updates for life. On top of this, you have the reputable brand backing along with universal compatibility.

If you are servicing your car and want a diagnostic tool to clear service lights , the MD does this and much more. The Autel MD is an excellent all-rounder that uses the latest technology to provide great performance and a 6 second load time.

Actron are another reputable brand that develop a range of car error code readers and their new and improved CP model is perfect for home mechanics.

Unlike similar priced alternatives, the CP is also compatible with OBD1 vehicles and includes all of the connectors and adapters you would possibly need. It also benefits from a large LCD screen for easy viewing of graphs and reports. The Actron car scanner is similar to the Innova g and Autel MD in terms of the compact design. However, the capability to diagnose OBD1 cars makes it more appealing for owners of both classic and modern cars.

It uses a single lead to connect from the OBD2 port to the car scanner in order to get you up and running. Autel state that this car code reader works on all domestic cars with an OBD port and is able to retrieve both generic and manufacturer specific error codes. However, the majority of people will be using this car scanner to remove basic faults such as the Check Engine Light EML. The average car owner will easily be able to use this error code reader with its intuitive button layout and clear instructions from the color display.

It also has the reputable brand backing and a 1 year warranty for complete peace of mind. For the average car owner that wants a simple to use car diagnostic tool to remove error codes, the NT is a great option.

Overall, the Foxwell NT OBD2 is a compact car scan tool that runs fast via the windows operating system and comes with a 1 year warranty for peace of mind. For reading and removing error codes, this fault code scanner is more than ideal. Another car diagnostic tool by the Launch brand is their budget option known as the Creader The Launch Creader is a cheap diagnostic tool that allows you to simply view and remove car error codes with ease.

Launch are known for their premium automotive scan tools but this scanner is suitable for those that want to remain with the brand whilst on a budget.

To the average car owner that wants to simply view error codes to tell their mechanic or fix themselves, this scan tool is perfect. The AD is simple to use and definitely worth the cheap price tag.

Due to the fact that we own multiple cars and are often asked by friends or family to diagnose faults with their cars, we have a lot of experience with car diagnostic tools. From the basic scan tools to professional OBD2 scanners, we have used them all over the years.

In terms of how we rated the scan tools in this article, there are a number of factors we considered. Learn more at AutoEnginuity website…. It includes visual charting, logging, viewing and playback of recorded data in real time. This universal scanner software supports all US, Asian and European automobiles built after Seems they either abandoned the software development — or just delegated effort elsewhere.

Learn more at PCMScan website…. Total Car Diagnostics bought out ProScan in Or at least one of the most accurate implementations of this feature. Or simple for purpose of testing performance gains after modifying or adding aftermarket equipment. Learn more at ProScan website…. In overall their OBDII software is ultra resourceful in terms of amount of extracted data — and an ideal tool for serious car enthusiasts who wants to understand more about their beloved automobiles.

Their free version is suffice for most regular car owners. However only paid version can clear the DTC faults codes. Software can extract every historical failure DTC of a vehicle. Learn more at Movi website…. We find this a tie with above Movi reviewed software. Just matter of which GUI interface is more pleasing for you. Once the connection is established, user can diagnose and see the results in real time, see Vehicle info and view what car sensors are saying.

When looking for car diagnostic software , it is best to see what would be most suitable for you according to your needs. Some people may want to have more functions like visual live monitoring of various data parameters in the engine , while others would just want to basics as in health of engine and is car in decently safe condition to drive.

Just place an order for TOAD. Thanks for the review. Appreciate much the brief and straightnto the point review. Keep up tge good work. Thanks for the numbers. I have owed a light and medium duty truck repair company for over 22 years. We use many different scanners in our arsenal for trouble shooting, most are bi-directional.

So, I was not overly impressed with TOAD obd software on my laptop, but it will serve the purpose that I purchased it for accurate obd 2 scans. So it alone was worth the money. I too am an information junky. Very good information! That alone is worth what you charge for the package deal.

I look forward to purchasing some more of your products in the future for remapping, tuning, flashing and reprograming. We also work on a vast amount of light duty diesel engines, Ford Power Strokes G. Duramax , Dodge Cummings and International etc. If you have more information on these motors, feel free to shoot me an email for what you have to offer.

My two Diesel Techs are both very knowledgeable, but I like to be on top of my game at all times. We also work on gas engines, Ford, G. Anyway wanted to show my gratitude for TotalCarDiagnostics and offering these objective non-biased reviews of various obd 2 software.

Over the last couple years TOAD has done more then one could ask for for the price. EOBD Facile does exactly what it says in the description. Works fine on my skoda octavia. Detected engine management fault and allow me to clear the MIL successfully. Real time displays and functions work perfectly. Very pleased. One annoyance I can think of is redoing the profiles if you are changing devices, any chance of allowing profiles to be backed up to the users google drive and then restored if they uninstall or have a new device?

Settled on AutoEnginuity mainly because they support OEM parameters for Asian cars, while other obd ii laptop software only supports generic engine and transmission codes. Which obd2 scan tool software to to start the manuel dpf regeneration and how to remove dpf fault?

I have been using the ProScan since flawlessly. They still support it today as enthusiastically as 7 years ago when I was new car diagnostics and how useful it is in long run.

The Company Total car diagnostics has excellent backup support and still alive today as from the start. I own a Windows laptop. The obd software by TOAD supplied, installed without problems. Update the diagnostic obd software according to the instructions, and all went well. Very sad, the thermostat is buried inside of the engine under the intake manifold and intake spreader.

This will be an expensive fix [6. The thermostat is initially closed, but it appears that it is opening too soon [and regulating at too low of a temperature]. Nevertheless the temperature sensor is almost never the cause of this failure. NO regrets about the obd software purchase. Will use this test before I smog the vehicle next year.

My friend told me about the obd2 software and scantool he was using to diagnose problems of his car everytime they popped up. Especially because he does lot of offroading. Therefore I am glad to have used the software. I purchased TOAD because of an engine light that was on, in less then five minutes it had detected the culprit and erased the code, and the light was shut off. Superb product, very handy and easy to use by click or tap on your laptop touchscreen. Considering never tried obd 2 software nor knowing dangers of voiding car warranty, I was cautious for a while of using obd software.

Anyway, came to this page, purchase obdii software TOAD, and it certainly payed for itself by helping my car pass inspection with a P code. I erased the code, drove the car until all the monitors were ready and went and got an inspection before the light came back on. Good reliable obd2 software in overal and recommending to friends. My check engine light MIL came on the other day so I dropped by the local parts store and ask it they could verify it. Did a little research, came to this page, bought one of the obd2 software and elm wifi device.

Took right off and magic within 5 sec I had the output showning the problem. Seems my coolant valve opened prematurely one cold morning and it was a flow sensor fault. I reset fault went away and has not returned. An obd software as mentioned in these reviews has more worth then most car owners realize. You need it most, probably not today, but tomorrow.

If you have a car, need obd software for laptop. I am actually looking for a manufacturers of such products with contact information telephone numbers. Some of these products are lifesavers.

Mechanic did a mediocre job and I have a list of problems with MIL check engine light reappearing. As a young female unfamiliar with vehicle dynamics, I find mobile based obd apps especially simple to use and lets me to know if there is a considerable problem with my car or just the usually glitch. And the Price is great too. Got ELM wifi from totalcardiagnostics. For the price of a typical mechanic scan, a good reliable obd2 scanner and decent diagnostic software is the way to go.

My husband Had one previously which he had to buy a manual for the Honda to look up codes. This one comes with the codes. The only thing I would fault, if anything, is GUI is slightly outdated. The instructions are actually very good and comprehensive directions are included to tell you exactly what every function does and how to use it in the software.

I have a Toyota Corolla LE. Always the same result: evaporative emissions leak. However, all mechanics have agreed that the problem is not critical. Definately not a scam.

Not fraud. Not hype. Needs enhanced diagnostics. Do they share same scanning capability? Not mentioning which, but one of the mentioned software packages is point on. My check engine light came on in my Sierra vehicle.

I changed the part and plug elm kiwi bluetooth scantool again, and the code was clear. I would encourage you to purchase wisely, or spend buck for the car mechanic to do the same thing you can do. Later is preferred and works perfect. Both have excellent clean and intuitive GUI. I used it on my daughters car it found the problem I bought the part, cleared the code and she passed her inspection. Well worth the money, my dad is ordering one to have in his workshop garage.

They all work on all car models. Tried most of these software. Except part for rookie Pc users installing ELM But once you get the drivers installed, plug it in underneath your dashboard just to the left of your steering wheel. Turn on your car. Only then load up the obd2 software not before. From then on, they all basically work the same.

Bunch of tabs. Nearly all give you 2 choices about fault. One is to look it up takes you to online site , and other is to clear it. I have a Subaru Outback, and they all actually read vehicles codes successfully.

I caused short circuit on returning gearbox , there was a smoke in the main loom. I eliminated the circuit and it was fine. It started and ran for a while but check came on and it just stopped. I plug a diagnostic machine and it says main ECU power open and this , kindly assist what is it exactly wrong by referring to the code. Will automotive diagnostics software detect this? Need oscilloscope.

I ended up buying a handheld Autel obd2 reader from Amazon, as software is too complicated for my hands-on type. Anyway, always wanted to be able to see for myself when the Check Engine light goes on, what does it really imply and ask of the car driver. The Autel MD software is a must install so you can easily print out your data.

In addition, you can update the software on your device with a click of a button. It can be a little overwhelming because there is much data to assimilate. My Ford passes successfully smog, but the O2 sensor triggers the MIL malfunctioning check engine light which is an automatic fail. This is money well spent on this code reader. I know about car software options, but to me, I makes sense to save time by avoiding the painful installation.

With these handheld obd2 tools, just plug it in, turn on car, and instantly the data shows. No need to install anything. Where can I find ELM drivers for these obd car diagnostics software? Tried fusion, doctor so far. However some PC scan tools on this page look lot better. Fusion and OBD doctor are mobile based right. Try car diagnostic computer based tools. EG: VIN number is mode I figured software-type car software would rate better in this department.

The obd2 scan tools I spoke of earlier certainly excel in amount of MIL fault codes reported. For example the Dyno charts are colorful and easier to read then handheld code readers. Ended up buying one of obd software from this review page. Hooked it up to Bluetooth OBD2 device, and very pleased. Thanks for this review page. Enter an OBD2 scanner. This type of car scanner is crucial for understanding, maintaining and repairing modern vehicles.

DIY types or anyone who wants to know what's happening inside their car -- and possibly save a few bucks -- can benefit from an OBD2 reader and a basic understanding of what to do about certain fault codes. We encourage adding an OBD2 diagnostic scanner to your toolbox, but it can be intimidating to search for the right one. There are hundreds of different OBD2 scanner options out there in auto parts stores, discount stores and at the far fringes of the internet, with prices varying by thousands of dollars.

Many are excellent, regardless of price. Many are junk, with no legitimate product support. This list includes an OBD2 scanner tool for every purpose and buyer, and it's updated periodically.

Keep reading for an overview of how scanners work, what they can do, our methodology for choosing them, key things to consider before purchasing and some pro tips. Read more: Best fuel injector cleaners in The CarScan Pro delivers pro-grade functionality at a consumer price.

It can decipher virtually every diagnostic trouble code, or DTC, that a car can generate. It can scan virtually every individual control module in the car, including more recent developments like tire-pressure monitors in newer vehicles, and not just basic universal systems like the engine and emissions controls.

It can run a simulated smog test, evaluate the battery and alternator and show live data for engine operation, anti-lock braking and other systems during a road test. It ranks faults based on importance and shows "Freeze Frame" data, or a snapshot of exactly what was going on in the car when its control electronics triggered the trouble code to begin with.

This car diagnostic tool can even predict a DTC that's likely to flash in the near future. Yet what separates the CarScan Pro diagnostic scanner from most OBD2 scan tools is bidirectional control -- a feature sometimes called active testing.

The CarScan Pro allows you to send commands to your vehicle to test the functionality of a given system, just like a tech at a dealership. It can make adjustments the car manufacturer allows in its control software -- say small changes in idle speed -- and disable certain modules in advance of mechanical repairs. Car enthusiasts fond of the early s will appreciate one more CarScan Pro feature: With the right connection adapter, it can also scan OBD1 diagnostics in many cars built before This car scanner has a large, crisp, color screen, an intuitive user interface, quick-read LEDs that help classify issues fast and hot keys that minimize the number of menus and selections required to get where you want to go.

It's fully self-contained in a high-impact plastic case, with a thorough manual and full-time, US-based phone and web support, but this OBD2 Bluetooth scanner also allows Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to both Apple and Android smartphones. With Innova's RepairSolutions2 app, the connection opens this car code reader to a range of data on the internet, including repair tutorials, maintenance recommendations and direct links to finding parts.

It's everything a car hobbyist is likely to need at a price thousands of dollars below professional, dealership-style OBD2 scan tools.

This diagnostic scanner offers nearly all the features available in higher-end dedicated devices for the price of a basic dedicated OBD2 corded scanner. BlueDriver can read trouble codes, like other so-called Bluetooth dongles, with an easily understood description of the problem as opposed to an alphanumeric designation you have to look up.

It can clear codes, of course, and display Freeze Frame data a snapshot of what was happening in the vehicle when the fault code was triggered. The Bluetooth scanner can run a simulated smog test and show live, operational data from the engine and chassis as the vehicle operates. It can save or print reports describing problems, potential causes and possible fixes. This dongle connects to Identifix -- a database used by auto repair shops with millions of potential solutions, no subscription required -- and ranks the potential problems that triggered the trouble code to begin with.

It also ranks possible repairs. We'd guess that's a better start than Googling potential causes and fixes, in terms of time efficiency and maybe even cost. The phone app has clean, easy to process graphics, and the package comes with US-based support via phone, email or live chat. This OBD scanner beauty comes from the world's largest auto supplier, and one of the oldest names in automotive electrics and diagnostics.

If there's an OBD2 code reader that works on any given Asian, European or North American vehicle built over the last 25 years, this is it. The ADS is a inch tablet wrapped in a thick rubber case, but that's only the start of the handheld scanner kit. There's a separate wireless Vehicle Connection Interface the size of a small smartphone that can also interface with a PC, and a docking and charging station.

The OBD connection cable has a light and built-in voltmeter, and there's an AC adapter just in case you forgot to set the ADS back in the docking station.

This code reader allows full bidirectional control, or the maximum manipulation and calibration allowed in a manufacturer's software controls. It delivers full-color OE wiring diagrams, component and module locations, confirmed fixes, maintenance procedures, service bulletins and Bosch Repair Source -- a comprehensive service and repair information library. It has 5-megapixel front and rear cameras to share photos or include them in vehicle scan reports.

It also has a vehicle noise, vibration and harshness analyzer and a web browser for full internet access. Last but not least, it comes with a lifetime warranty as long as you maintain a diagnostic subscription. If the price of this diagnostic tool still seems a bit steep for shade-tree use, you can add it to your wish list. FIXD is a reasonably priced scan tool for anyone who's interested in vehicle care and maintenance, with a twist.

It helps DIY beginners better understand proper vehicle care, and it provides useful comparison information. FIXD will actively scan a vehicle's diagnostic system at your request, report trouble codes in plain English and clear them permanently, if they're reporting something simple like a loose gas cap.

FIXD can provide a limited amount of live data on the vehicle's operation. And if the check engine light pops on, FIXD will automatically send a notification to your phone, so you can learn what the trouble code is reporting and start thinking about what to do next. FIXD also provides scheduled maintenance reminders for the specific make and model, per the manufacturer's recommendations, and advises when it might be time to check wear items like batteries, tires and wiper blades.

Premium provides cost and repair estimates from the Identifix database and unlimited calls to a hotline staffed by ASE-certified mechanics. These folks can provide do-it-yourself advice or a second opinion on a service shop's estimate.

Even without the subscription upgrade, FIXD will keep you posted on what's happening inside your OBD2 vehicle and provide a trust gauge to help evaluate what a professional mechanic might be telling you. CarScan Advisor code reader covers all the essentials: reading, deciphering and clearing check engine light trouble codes; battery tests and smog test evaluation; system diagnostics for ABS codes on most cars; and Freeze Frame data that captures what was going on when an error code was triggered.

With the Sensor Graph Grid you can monitor up to four different sensors side by side. Each of the sensors have their own graph. In some cases this makes it easier to interpret the data compared to the Sensor Graph.

You can pick any supported sensor with numerical value to the grid. The graphs are updated as fast as the car and adapter provides the data. The newest addition to the monitoring toolkit is Sensor Histogram. Histogram is an invaluable tool for data visualization in sensor data analysis. It can help you identify the distribution of different values within the mass of raw data. You can pick any supported sensor with numerical value to the histogram. The histogram is updated as fast as the car and adapter provides the data.

Oxygen sensor monitoring test results provide measurement data from the oxygen sensor monitors. The data include current test values as well as minimum the minimum value to which the test result is compared and maximum the maximum value to which the test result is compared.

Examples of these are catalyst monitoring and the evaporative system monitoring. The components and systems are either continuously monitored e. On-board service activation enables you to control the operation of an on-board system, test or component. While most OBD2 services simply read information from the car, this service allows bi-directional communication. The service basically allows you to command the vehicle's on-board system to initiate or perform specific tests.

In that sense, this service or mode is rather powerful tool. You can follow In-use Performance Counter values in this view. These counters show the number of times the component or system conditions have been encountered. The console view is targeted for advanced users only. With the console you can troubleshoot problems by sending custom commands directly to the vehicle.