Why You Need to Get an OBD2 Scan Tool
Although OBD scanners may look like the kind of advanced devices that only a professional mechanic knows how to use, they can, in fact, be used by the average car owner too. There are so many OBD scanners available on the market today that you’ll surely find something to meet your needs and budget, but the question is: should you buy one?
With so many other devices and improvements that you could spend your money on, why should you purchase an OBD scanner when your mechanic already has one? As you’ll see below, this handy little gizmo can save you from a lot of trouble and make car malfunctions a little less stressful.
What is an OBD scanner?
Modern cars have-on board computers that detect faults and communicate them via lights in your dash. For example, if there is a problem with your engine, the check engine light comes on. However, you don’t know what specifically is wrong with the engine, which is where an OBD scanner comes in. What the OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics) scanner does is that once connected, it prompts an error code that lets the mechanic know what the problem is.
If you’ve ever stood by your mechanic as they fixed your car, you’ve probably seen them use an OBD2 scan tool and wondered if you should buy one of these handy little gizmos yourself. The short answer is yes, OBD scanners can make a vehicle owner’s life easier but, as always, there are some factors that should influence your decision.
An OBD2 scan tool can help you diagnose the problem before you get to a mechanic
Unless you’re an amateur mechanic or you have some background motor knowledge, chances are you only have a vague idea what’s wrong with your car when taking it to a mechanic, if any at all. Thanks to an OBD scanner, you can find out.
These code readers are very easy to use. All you need to do is connect them to the dashboard and they will prompt a code that stands for a specific car malfunction. Then you can either look up that code online or, if the scanner is advanced enough, it will display an explanation of what that code means.
As a word of caution here, not all scanners display manufacturer-specific information. Some codes are very general and only tell you the diagnostic, not the cause of the problem, so unless you’re a mechanic, the code might not mean a lot to you. For example, if you’re using a PC and get an error like Error 4050 (0xFD2): The version of the supplied content information is not supported, you may have a general idea of what’s going on, but unless you’re an IT specialist, you won’t know how to fix it. The same goes for car diagnostic codes. You can connect your OBD scanner and get code P0305, which means there was an engine misfire, but you still need to go to a mechanic to understand why this occurred. Sometimes, the issue is cheap and quick to fix, but if the damage is too extensive you may need to replace larger more expensive parts. In which case you can leverage an auto wrecker to seek low-cost spare parts to replace the damaged ones, or in the worst-case scenario, dispose of the entire vehicle with a wrecker that provides a car removal service.
Are OBD scanners universal?
Before purchasing an OBD scanner, you might want to know whether it will only work for your current vehicle or if you can use it on another one in the future. Fortunately, OBD scanners are a one-time investment, because generally speaking, they are universal.
Older cars, made before 1996, use OBD1 technology, whereas all modern cars made after 1996, use OBD2. Therefore, the only thing you need to know is the manufacturing year of your car, purchase the corresponding scanner and it will work for all vehicles in that category. Although it is possible to convert your car from OBD1 to OBD2, the effort isn’t really worth it. However, if you have several cars of different ages, you can invest in a modern advanced scanner that can perform diagnostics both on OBD1 and OBD2.
Depending on your preferences and budget, you can get OBD scanners that display only generic codes and scanners with huge databases that include both generic and manufacturer-specific codes and then display their meaning. It’s all up to you and how much research you want to make prior to taking your car to the mechanic.
But can it save you money?
OBD scanners aren’t that expensive, to begin with. For example, a mid-range Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool from BAFX Products currently retails at about $50. And, for the price, it packs quite a punch. Think of the following scenario: you are driving down the highway, hundreds of miles away from home and a dash light suddenly comes on. You don’t know what it means and how serious it is, so normally you’d look for the nearest repair shop to have it checked. However, if you have an OBD scanner, you can quickly find out what prompted the error, look it up online, and know whether it can wait until you get home or if you need to see a mechanic immediately. Needless to say, car shops can really inflate their check-up fees, so simply by having your own OBD scanner and knowing the error code, you are saving a lot of money.
Another advantage of having an OBD scanner is that you can always use to confirm whether your mechanic diagnosed the problem correctly or get a second opinion. Especially when changing your mechanic or going to a car shop you know nothing about, an OBD scanner can make the difference between quick and seamless repairs and a complete disaster.
Bottom line
If you’re a passionate car owner who wants to know what’s wrong with their vehicle before seeing the mechanic, OBD scanners are nifty little gizmos that quickly pay for themselves. There are many great options to choose from on the market, so you can always start with an entry-level device and, if you love using it, you can upgrade to an advanced model with extra features.
