Have you ever had a check engine light or other light pop on on your car’s dashboard and didn’t know why? Well, there is a way to found out why. All you need is the best car diagnostic tool.
The car diagnostic tool hooks into your car’s OBD2 port and is able to read the codes being put off by the computer. You can then use the scanner or a computer and look up what those codes mean. This is hand for fixing your car yourself, or at least knowing what is wrong with the car and determining if it needs to be fixed or not. Having a top quality diagnostic tool is important for this. You want one that is reliable and gives the correct codes.
Luckily for you in this article, we are going to look at some of the best car diagnostic tools on the market so you can find the one that is best for you and your needs.
The first diagnostic tool we are going to look at is from Autel. It is the MaxiLink ML619. This scanner is a great size at 1.95 pounds and measures 7.3 inches x 10.2 inches x 3 inches. This size makes it easy to use and fit in your hands.
The screen on this code reader is also a perfect size. The screen is bright and easy to see in all lighting conditions.
This diagnostic tool is also great because it comes with the main cable, a USB cable, 16 GB micro sd card, carry case, and user manual so it is ready to use out of the box.
One great thing about this scanner is that it works on a wide range of vehicles. It should work on anything 1996 or newer from all the major brands such as GM, Ford, and even BMW, Toyota, and other foreign cars. This is good because some diagnostic tools don’t work on everything. It is important to check though to make sure this will work with your vehicle before buying.
Users really love that this scanner comes with free lifetime updates. That means that if you get a new vehicle you shouldn’t have to get a new scanner. It is easy to update this one as well. All you have to do is hook it up to the computer and run the update on it.
The ML619 is a solid all-around scan tool. It can read all the basic codes such as P0, P2, P3, and U0. It can also read manufacturer specific (P1, P3, and U1) codes and pending codes. It can even check the ABS and SRS system.
On top of all this, the last thing it can do is graph live date so you can see how well your vehicle is running. If you are looking for a top quality diagnostic tool that can do it all, then the Autel just might be the best one for you.
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The next diagnostic tool we are going to look at is the Innova 3100j. This scanner is another one that is the perfect size. It is only 1.01 pounds and measures 10 inches x 8 inches x 1.5 inches.
One downside with this scanner though is it runs off batteries and not power from the car. That means you have to have three triple A batteries ready to use it. The batteries do last for a while though.
This scanner is easy to use and will read the codes fast. The screen is bright but smaller than the Autel. This scanner works on most makes and models 1996 or newer, but again it is important to check to make sure it works with your vehicle. The scanner can save the last three scans as well which is a useful feature.
The 3100j can check all the basic codes. It can also check ABS and SRS lights. It can even test the alternator.
On top of this, it can reset your oil light and do a freeze frame check on the engine condition. This means it can let you know the coolant temperature while the engine is running and things like that.
Users really like the Innova and how easy it is to use. They also like that it has custom repair solutions online that you can look up so you know exactly what each code means. Lastly, if you go with the 3100j you get access to customer support, so if you ever have a problem with your scanner, you can get an answer fast.
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The last OBD2 scanner we are going to look at is BlueDriver. This unit is powerful and easy to use. The nice thing about this unit is it is small and can be used pretty much anywhere.
The reason for this is because this device is just the scanner that plugs into your car’s OBD2 port. It does not have a screen or cables. You use your phone for the screen and to look at the diagnostic tool readouts.
You can easily carry this in your car and use it wherever you need or just leave it plugged into the OBD2 port. Then when you want to look at a reading you use an app and your phone. The app is available for Android and Apple products. It is a professional level scanner and can do all kinds of things.
The BlueDriver can read check engine codes and also built into the app is possible solutions for each code. The reports are top quality because they are from ASE certified mechanics. It can also reset the check engine light.
It can check other settings on your car as well. It can check ABS, Airbag, Climate Control, and pretty much anything else you can think of such as smog checks. The BlueDriver OBD2 scanner is also easy to use and versatile. It can work on most vehicles. It is a good idea to double-check before getting it through to make sure it will work on your vehicle.
Users really like this OBD2 scanner. That is because it is easy to use and no matter your skill level or car knowledge this OBD2 scanner can be useful for you. If you just need a basic code read or need misfire checks the BlueDriver can do it.
The fact that as long as you have your phone with you this scanner will work is really nice. It can even monitor your vehicle all the time as long as you leave it plugged in.
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All of these scan tools are great ones. You can’t go wrong with any of them. The best diagnostic tool on this list really depends on what you need.
If you want a simple and easy to use OBD2 scanner, then the Innova 3100j fits that bill the best. If you want a solid scanner that is its own device, then the Autel MaxiLink ML619 is the perfect one for you.
On the other hand, if you like using your phone for things and don’t want to have to worry about carrying a big device, then the BlueDriver is the best scanner for that option. All these diagnostic tools are good, which one is the best really just comes down to your needs and you can’t go wrong with any one of them.
