Category Archives: OBD Code Reader Scan Tools, OBD1 OBD2 Reviews and Overview

If you have a car or truck and are not sure it will pass a smog test, an easy way to tell is to use an OBDII scan tool with an emission check. While each state has its emission requirements, a compatible OBDII scan tool has built-in functions that cab show if it will pass or fail. What… Read More »

If you own a Diesel truck and have an engine light on or simply need to pull the codes there are many scan tools available. The first thing you’re going to need is a scan tool to find out why the check engine light is on with dealerships having the best equipment to troubleshoot a problem. Most people… Read More »

The INNOVA 6100P is an advanced scan tool that can read standard OBD2 engine codes as well as ABS and SRS errors. Most any OBDII scan tool can read and erase standard errors but only advanced units can also scan and erase ABS and SRS. Troubleshooting ABS (Anti Brake System) or SRS/Airbag (Supplemental Restraint System) is much easier… Read More »

OBD2 automotive scanner tools come in a wide range of packages from small wireless scanners to large professional units. With the huge variety available there is no-doubt that the Best OBD2 scan tool is debatable. What it really comes down to though is how often will the tool be used and in what conditions. For example, a large… Read More »

Having a good OBDII scan tool with ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is a nice thing to have when troubleshooting ABS vehicle problems. There are many ABS OBDII scan tools available from low-cost to high-end units. Everyone will have a different requirement from an automotive scan tool. For example, a DIY mechanic will not have the need for an… Read More »

Small Bluetooth OBD II scan tools have become very popular and used by everyone from DIY mechanics to used car buyers. The Vgate iCar2 is once such small unit that will link to a smartphone, tablet, or computer via Bluetooth and give errors and clear codes. These small units are very cheap and are able to read information… Read More »

Having a good VAG-COM scan tool can go a long way to help not only find a mechanical problem but to do some light modding. There are many VAG-COM VCDS scan tools available for Volkswagen, from low-cost units to high-end expensive models. Below are some of our favorite options that would be a good fit for the DIY… Read More »

There are many good OBD2 scan tools for most any vehicle including Honda’s. Some scanners can only read basic functions while a few have more advanced features that are Honda specific. With the many available below we list some of our favorite options. As always be sure to read the reviews on Amazon, here, forums, or elsewhere to… Read More »

Having a good OBDII Scan tool can help greatly when it comes time to troubleshooting a car. They display the error code that points to the problem a vehicle is having. There are many OBDII scan tools that give basic engine codes with most unable to read ABS, SRS, or transmission errors. Transmission codes are in the P0700… Read More »

Since their introduction, OBD2 Bluetooth scanner tools have become a favorite among part-time mechanics and professionals to find and fix engine problems. They are low-cost engine diagnostic tools that can help troubleshoot a problem. For example, if an engine light comes on which gives no indication to the problem a small low-cost OBD2 adapter code scan tool can… Read More »

A car or truck engine light can come on for many reasons, from a loose gas cap to a more serious engine problem. Clearing an engine light can be done in a few ways depending on the vehicle. Keep in mind unless the problem if fixed more than likely the engine light will come back on. Below are… Read More »

If you own a Kia and need a good OBDII scan tool there are many available. Owning an OBDII scan tool is ideal for troubleshooting a car or just knowing why the engine light is on. What Is a Kia OBDII Scan Tool? All modern vehicles including Kia have an OBDII port which communicates with the onboard computer.… Read More »

There are a few different ways you can get a free diagnostic test done on your car or truck. All vehicles from 1996 and newer have an OBDII port under the dashboard that with a scan tool can read engine codes. Many vehicles also have built-in diagnostics for basic troubleshooting. Here are the best options to get a… Read More »

A video review is at the bottom of the post. The KW680 OBDII automotive scan tool is a popular low-cost unit. It can read and clear a vehicles engine codes and is easy to use which makes it a good unit for home users or backyard mechanics. *This unit was sent to me to review with my honest… Read More »

OBD2 Bluetooth WiFi dongles have become very popular since they are low-cost devices and work well. There are many to choose from with most using the Torque App or similar with a smartphone. One of the more frustrating things is using one and getting no Bluetooth or WiFi Device Selected error code. Below are the steps to connect… Read More »

Using a Bluetooth scan tool with the OBD2 port in a car or truck allows you to read the vehicles information and give you the data in real-time. The adapter is paired with your smartphone and plugs in under your dash of your car into the computer OBD2 port. It reads the data from your car to your… Read More »

Having a good OBD2 scan tool goes a long way to help troubleshoot a vehicle problem and point to the repair needed. There are many good OBD2 scanners to use that come with different menus, features, and price ranges. Often, what works for one person may not work for another so below we list our favorite picks for… Read More »

There is a video at the bottom of the page for a visual walk-through if needed. If you have a check engine light come on in your Jeep Wrangler there is built-in diagnostics that show the code. After the code is read it can be Googled to find the problem. The steps are simple by cycling the key… Read More »

Having a good OBDII scan tool for a 2012 Toyota Camry is nice to have when making repairs or doing maintenance. The 2012 Camry onboard computer (PCM) can give basic OBDII codes along with more advanced Airbag and SRS errors. Most any OBDII scan tool will read the basic codes but the more advanced errors need a more… Read More »

Having an OBD2 scan tool is useful in many situations when an engine light comes on. But what if you dont have a scan tool and need to know the code? Many vehicles has a built-in diagnostic that will give the code as I recently found out with Dodge cars and trucks. I haven’t tried this on all… Read More »

A video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk through. This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. Congress passed the clean air act in 1970 and started the epa, however it wasn’t until January 1st 1996 that all vehicles were required to have OBD (on-board diagnostics)… Read More »

There are many OBDII scan tools available all with different features, options, and price ranges. A good scan tool must be able to read and clear errors a vehicle is having and display them to the user. It also should have an easy to use interface. OBDII scanners tools can range from expensive to low-cost units. The expensive… Read More »

An OBDII scan tool can read and erase engine error codes from a vehicles computer that the engine has given. A vehicle engine problem is often displayed to a driver with the dashboard engine light. Cars and trucks today all have an onboard computer (ECM, PCM) that controls the vehicles engine and will get an error when there… Read More »

The TOPDON OBDCAN Plus 2.0 is a low-cost OBDII scan tool that has a lot of features. Like most all OBDII scan tools it works on 1996 and newer US-Based cars and trucks, as well as 2000 and newer EU-Based and Asian vehicles. It can read and clear engine codes as well as do O2 Sensor test. *This… Read More »

OBDII WiFi adapters for cars and trucks that send information to a smartphone have become very popular. They are low-cost units that can do anything a standalone OBDII unit can do at a much lower cost. They are also simple to use with many Apps available for both Android and Apple smartphones. The ELM327 is one such unit… Read More »

Low-cost OBDII scan tools have become very popular since they can point to the problem a car or truck is having and help fix it. The OM123 is once such low-cost vehicle scan tool that can read and clear engine codes. This makes it a good unit in many scenarios such as a part time mechanic troubleshooting cars,… Read More »

The Launch CReader 5001 is a stand alone OBDII scan tool with a lot of built-in functions. OBDII is a set of protocols that work with most any vehicle from 1996 and newer. Besides reading the basic OBDII engine codes it also has a lot of extras such as Real Time Data and 02 Senser Testing built-in. *This… Read More »

The Autel MaxiScan MS300 is a low-cost diagnostic scan tool code reader for vehicles 1996 and newer. Since it a low-cost OBDII scan tool this makes it ideal for those on a budget, just don’t expect all the extra features an expensive model would have. Pros It will display the error codes for almost any car 1996 or… Read More »

Using an OBDII scan tool is an easy task and is something almost anyone can do makign it perfect for the home do-it-yourself type of person. The OBDII port on a car or truck is an easy way in modern times to help troubleshoot a problem any vehicle may have. Using an OBDII scan tool allows a user… Read More »

Low-cost OBDII scan tools have become very popular since they can point to a problem a vehicles is having. This makes them ideal to know what is wrong with a car or truck. The Launch AI OBD II scan tool is once such unit that can help diagnose engine problems. It is universally compatible with most any car… Read More »

The Launch 6001 is a handheld OBDII scan tool that hooks up to most any vehicle and displays the problem it is having. All vehicles built after 1996 have an OBDII port that can connect to a scan tool and give information, such as why an engine light is on. An OBD2 connector is usually located under the… Read More »