Our ease of use rating represents the relative ease or difficulty of operating the OBD2 scanner. Scanners that can retrieve engine codes with the fewest button pushes scored best in this category. It works with a lot of vehicles, so as well as working with your current vehicle, it’s likely to work with the next one too. Some people will want a high-end scan tool because they’re car lovers and enjoy the process of identifying, isolating and fixing any problems that arise. Please don’t hesitate to get in-touch with us if you have any questions or would like any advice. Here are at Albionshire Car Diagnostics, we’re really passionate about car diagnostics and helping people make the right decision, sale or no sale.

By the way, 50% of all breakdowns are battery related, you can also save yourself money and hassle by looking into car battery reconditioning. While many OBD2 codes are universal, a good number aren’t. If you have a vehicle produced prior to 1996 or an uncommon model, you may need to do some research to learn which OBD2 scanners will best interact with your vehicle. We were able to use the TOPDON to recalibrate the power windows in our test vehicle, fixing a longstanding issue. VCI connector can be plugged into the mainframe for easy storage and to prevent loss of VCI connector.B : Indicates an issue with the body (cabin interior parts such as the steering system, airbags, and seatbelts) 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 One unique feature of the TOPDON ArtiDiag800 BT is that acronym, “BT”. For you and me, it means that it’s got Bluetooth built-in. The ArtiDiag800 BT essentially comes in two pieces. The first is a tablet that you’ll be interacting with. Its 5.99-inch LCD touchscreen is sharp and is responsive thanks to the fast Android OS running underneath. Moreover, complemented with 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) reset : A diesel particulate filter traps exhaust soot on vehicles with diesel engines. A DPF rest (also called DPF regeneration) is a process where accumulated dust is burned away. If the DPF accumulates too much debris, it can become clogged and lead to engine shutdown.

The right OBD2 scanner depends on the vehicle data you’re looking to access and the work a vehicle requires. Expect to pay more if you need to send commands to the vehicle’s system or want features such as a touchscreen. Are all OBD2 scanners the same? Also like the Launch, the Autel can take some time to show engine codes because it scans several systems before doing so. That’s where the Topdon ArtiDiagBT800 comes in. Even if you get one or two issues solved, it’s already paid for itself. Some DTCs apply to all vehicle makes, while others are specific to certain brands. The first number in a DTC is always either 0 or 1. ‘0’ is a universal (generic) code and ‘1’ is a manufacturer-specific code. Live data graphing : OBD2 scanners may be capable of monitoring any number of car systems. A live graphic function displays this data (such as engine temperature) as a graph in real-time. This function can help diagnose certain engine issues or be used to optimize performance. This feature is not something that the layperson is likely to find useful, however.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. As the cars of today become ever more complex, with their umpteen different sensors and electronics, it can be challenging to conduct diagnostics… Even the simple ones. Trying to narrow down to what’s wrong can literally include jumping into an actual rabbit hole. However, all those computers can help make things easier, if you have the right tools on hand, such as TOPDON’s ArtiDiag800 BT. 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.