Whether it’s being used by a professional mechanic or a novice, an auto scanner is easy to use and is a handy device to have to assess the condition of your vehicle. These devices can be plugged into built-in info ports in your vehicle and work by determining where a problem has originated. All models of scanners are designed to decode and access the messages that have been transmitted through a car or truck’s on-board diagnostic system.

Benefits and Capabilities of Diagnostic Auto Scan Tools

Vehicles that have been manufactured after 1996 contain computer chips that monitor each system. The computers are accessed via info ports into which an auto scanner is plugged in. A port is usually found under the dash or near the steering wheel, but this varies depending on the vehicle. Some auto scan tools are more complex and have the ability to detect problems in a variety of vehicular systems including the tires, brakes, and engine. These models then connect to your PC and provide specific info regarding where any issues can be located. Scanners can be used on the road, allowing the user to determine whether or not they can continue to drive or whether their vehicle should be towed for repairs.  

Buying a scanner can offer many benefits. First of all, it’s able to determine whether or not your vehicle is safe to drive or whether it needs to be worked on. Because these devices are highly portable they can come in handy on cross-country road trips. Additionally, these scanners can also help you to avoid getting taken to the cleaners when you bring your car or truck to a new garage. Knowing what’s wrong with your car will make it much easier to fix the problem on your own if you’re mechanically inclined. If you aren’t, then it will ensure that the mechanic is only charging you for issues that are absolutely necessary to get your vehicle running again. A mechanic will usually charge a large fee just to run their own diagnostic scan, so owning your own scan tool can help you to avoid this additional cost. Last of all, a scanner can be useful if you’re shopping around for a used vehicle. Performing a scan on a used car or truck before you buy can prevent you from purchasing a lemon. If the used car’s problems are extensive and you’re still interested in buying it then you can use the diagnostic readings to haggle your way down to a more reasonable price.

The auto scan tool works by plugging into a car’s data output port. Each car or light truck that was produced after 1996 includes a sixteen pin connector into which the tool is plugged in. This is the exact same port used by professional mechanics. A scanner will alert you to whether a car is safe enough to drive, whether it needs to be towed and whether the condition can cause potential problems for the driver. This tool can be plugged into your desktop computer via USB cable in order to view more specific issues. Some devices come with software programs that include information about how much each type of repair will cost in your area.

Each car or truck is equipped with a variety of computer chips for such internal systems as the brakes, airbags, tires and transmission. If something goes wrong with one or more of these systems then the check engine light will typically turn on. This light can be triggered for a variety of reasons, appearing for something as minor as a loose spark plug or gas cap or something a major as transmission failure or misfiring pistons. The on-board diagnostic system will provide a code based on the problem. These codes are read by the scanning device and then interpreted by the provided diagnostic software program.

These scanners can detect a number of problems and each set of issues or malfunctions will give out a DTC.

Common Diagnostic Codes and What They Mean

A P0100 is a code that deals with the engine’s exhaust, carburetor sensors and intake. If a problem occurs with the oil temperature sensor, exhaust, intake or carburetor sensor it will be labeled with a code that ranges from P0100 to P0199.

The second set of codes P0200-P0299 signifies an issue with combustion cylinders in the engine. This can involve a malfunction of the combustion cylinders, throttle position sensors, fuel injector or turbocharger.

Codes P0300-P0399 will alert you to problems with ignition systems or the engine’s output. This can involve problems with the ignition coils, crankshaft, timing chain or camshaft.

The codes that deal with emissions control and exhaust range from P0400-P0499. This can include issues with water vapor, excess pressure in the exhaust system, gasses overflowing from the engine and overheating.

P0500-P0599 are a set of codes that point to electrical system problems, such as issues with the wiring, fuse box, cruise control, idle control system and power steering.

To Buy or not to Buy

The biggest difference between each scanner model is the tool’s ability to read a large range of codes and the types of codes they can read. This will impact the type of system the tool is able to assess. Some models will only work with OBD codes, while other models are much more complex and able to analyze other systems including airbags and ABS.

Overall, a scanner can be a valuable tool that’s used for assessing a variety of problems that can arise in your truck or car. Easy to use and definitely beneficial to consumers with some knowledge about cars they can be used by individuals of varying skill sets with no problem. Owning this type of tool can save you money and empower you with knowledge regarding the condition of your vehicle, helping you to avoid being overcharged by an auto mechanic. We recommend purchasing a model online for a better variety. Often the typical brick and mortar auto supply store will only carry one or two models.

Some car owners prefer to purchase a diagnostic scanner specifically to diagnose and monitor their own truck or car for issues before they head to a mechanic. This allows them to get a realistic idea in terms of cost and it can also prevent the car owner from being taken advantage of if they have little knowledge concerning car trouble issues. Using this type of device is incredibly simple. Just plug the device into your car and it’ll read computer codes which help diagnose the issues your vehicle is having. Some types of scanners can also read a variety of other sensors in the car that allow you to get a better idea of how your car is functioning, including fuel pressure, airbags and airflow rate.

The Basics of Auto Scanner Tools

There are many types of scanners, some are pretty basic and will only read certain codes and may only be compatible with a limited range of vehicles produced after a specific year. Because you’re likely to see an extensive line of scanners available online, it’s recommended that you do a little research and learn more about the extra features some models have to offer in order to determine which features you desperately need and which features you can totally do without. Obviously, the more features a scanner is equipped with the higher the price tag is likely to be.

A diagnostic scanner is designed to read codes that are generated by a vehicle’s computer. These results will tell the user why the check engine light has turned on and where there are other problems with the car. A scanning device can also turn alarm or warning lights off because these sensors can be somewhat of an annoyance to drivers. New models of scanners will not only work to diagnose car issues, but they can also offer a large variety of info about a car including the temp of a car’s coolant and airflow levels. While a mechanic will use this type of scanner in order to diagnose car problems, there’s no reason why the average car owner can’t use one as well.

Hardwired or Wireless Auto Scanners

With wireless devices, there are a number of ways to use scanners that are simple to read and understand and easy to use. You don’t have to be a mechanic to figure out why a check engine light is on. These diagnostic scanners will read a car’s computer and inform the user concerning what the vehicle’s problems are before the user takes the car to a mechanic and spends money for parts or repairs.

Older versions of scanners will display the results on the scanner itself while some newer models are Bluetooth-compatible and can be used with smartphones and tablets.

A traditional type of scanner plugs into the port inside the car, which is usually located beneath the dash or near the steering wheel. This port is referred to as an OBD 2 connector. Once you turn the key the reader will begin to scan the car’s computer. The instructions are easy to follow and are displayed right on the screen.

With today’s technology, scanners have been designed with more modern features. A wireless mode is inexpensive and compact, taking up much less space than plug-in models. These scanners use wireless technology to read your car’s computer and the results are displayed on your PC, tablet or smartphone.

If you’re a loyal Apple user, there are specific models that are compatible with MACs and iOS devices. Special software is used to diagnose a car’s problems and the info is displayed on a compatible device including MAC desktops, iPads, and iPhones. These programs will include a database of what some of the codes mean, so it’ll be easy to figure out the issues by making a few clicks.  Once the software has been installed any Apple device can be used to determine what the commands mean.

While some basic models simply scan for codes, others will perform a number of services. There are also some pretty innovative extra features that make the whole process significantly easier. These features include multi-language options, compatibility with a large number of vehicles, larger display screens and a variety of software options.  Other extra features include fuel system status, coolant temperature, fuel pressure and engine RPM. These extra features allow the user to know more than just what a trouble code means because they can also help you to diagnose other issues as well. High-end models allow the user to print code history and code lists, info regarding a truck or car that a user might be interested in purchasing and basic information such as the VIN number.

When shopping around for a scanner, there are a few factors to consider. First, make sure that the scanner is compatible with your car. The scan tool should also be OBD 2 compliant to work with a large variety of cars and trucks and should be equipped with the standard connector on the dashboard. Additionally, you should purchase the right type of scanner for your electronics platforms such as Android, Windows or Apple.

Benefits of Owning your own Diagnostic Scanning Tool and Pricing

When your check engine light turns on, it can be difficult to narrow down the exact problem. With a diagnostic scanner, it takes mere seconds to determine what issues you’re looking. If you enjoy fixing your car yourself, this type of device is a must-have that can save you hours spent on trial and error. If you don’t like working on cars or don’t have enough experience, a scanner allows you to be informed of the real issues before you take it to a mechanic. This can potentially save you a lot of cash if you don’t know much about car issues and normally put all of your trust into your mechanic.  

The price range for one of the models can vary depending on the design of the model and any extra features or software programs included in the package. These extra features will allow you to get a complete look at your car’s diagnostics, which means you’ll stay more informed regarding your car’s condition and any potential safety issues. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $400 based on features and how versatile the scanner is.