These mandatory connections are standard across all makes and models. With the falling prices for the tech to access these fault codes and the concomitant rise of smartphones, Bluetooth connectivity and the internet, there is now a market for easy-to-use OBD-II readers suitable for the home mechanic, effectively ending the need to travel to a garage every time an engine management light appears.

The large touchscreen interface is easy to navigate and can be used even by those without advanced auto maintenance knowledge. There is even a “learning” feature, that will show you how to use some of the advanced functions. The menu layout is among the most straightforward of the scanners that we tested. and is e.g. used for looking at real-time vehicle speed, RPM etc. Other modes are used to e.g. show or clear and an UDS DBC file for decoding State of Charge (SoC%) from a Hyundai Kona EV. To learn more about this, see our EV data As with any technology, there will be new devices released each and every year by the brands, which we intend to get our hands on and test to keep this article updated. Conclusion One of the benefits of using this approach is that you can easily modify the OBD2 DBC to include additional

Real-time data: Accessing real-time data is not necessary for most people. For those with advanced automotive know-how, this information can help optimize engine performance and diagnose certain repairs. In addition to engine information like temperature, RPMs, and fuel injection rate, you can also monitor ABS and battery data. After the testing I’ve done, I can honestly say that this Bluetooth OBD2 scanner is the one I’m most happy with when it comes to its functionality. I could view data in the form of graphs, digital displays, and gauges. Moreover, I was also able to customize graph colors for better understanding. The app hooks up with the OBDLink MX Bluetooth adapter for the best results and most accurate readings but can be paired with a wide range of third-party transmitters. Features

The formula for speed is e.g. simply A, meaning that the A data byte (which is in HEX) is converted to decimal to Many of these OBD2 scanners’ advanced features are really only useful to home mechanics who feel comfortable working on their own vehicles and are not intended for average drivers. Just remember that more features and programming options mean a higher price tag. How To Use An OBD2 Scanner While the Car Scanner ELM ODB2 is still in Beta version as I speak, it managed to work very well in our Windows laptop and smartphone. We were able to diagnose the OBD2 fault codes and read the sensor data in our fleet of test vehicles without encountering unusual errors. While there are a lot of OBD2 car diagnostic scanners on the market that operate with a Bluetooth connection, it is important to find one that works well for your price range and needs.

Supported Protocols

The Foxwell NT201 is lightweight but does not feel especially durable. It doesn’t seem like this tool would survive many drops onto a hard floor. After using a number of scan tools, we found that the best OBD2 scanner is the Autel Maxisys MS906BT, which is a professional car diagnostic tool with advanced features such as ECU programming and OEM-level functionality. However, if you require a more affordable alternative, the brand’s Autel MaxiDiag MD806 is the best option for most car owners. Additionally, you can access parts of a vehicle’s CPU to really get a sense of how the car is performing. You probably won’t be able to perform any in-depth ECU re-coding using OBD Auto Doctor, but just being able to see what your computer is up to is a good feature. The OBDLink MX Bluetooth adapter has clearly been designed to work seamlessly with the OBDLink OBD2 app. A strong wireless connection is made in a matter of seconds to an iOS, Windows, or Android device. As a basic scan tool, the NT201 does not have a lot of functions, but it is compatible with most vehicle makes and models. Finding this information in the menu is straightforward and intuitive. Press enter when the OBDII function is selected and follow the menus.