The landscape of vehicle diagnostics, encompassing OBD scan tools and software, is constantly evolving. Finding a single, user-friendly tool to address every need of a modern car owner can be challenging. While generic OBD2 tools are widely effective for reading, displaying, and clearing the Check Engine Light (CEL) across most OBD2-compliant vehicles, complexities arise with manufacturer-specific codes. Standard OBD2 tools can often read these codes, but the accuracy of the code and its description can sometimes be questionable or even misleading. In today’s automotive world, vehicle owners often benefit from having a combination of a generic OBD2 tool, a manufacturer-specific tool or software, and potentially even generic software capable of logging and graphing data to effectively diagnose complex issues in their connected car.
A Word of Caution and Encouragement
With labor costs in auto repair shops frequently ranging from $75 to over $100 per hour nationwide, and with many regions now mandating stringent emissions and safety inspections, maintaining your vehicle in peak operating condition is more critical than ever. A persistent CEL, airbag, or ABS light on your dashboard can lead to inspection failures and costly repairs. Many vehicle owners adopt a reactive approach, only considering purchasing a scan tool when a problem arises. However, possessing a scan tool and understanding its operation is a proactive measure that can save you significant money and time. Familiarity with “normal” vehicle parameter values and having a scan tool readily available will empower you to diagnose issues early, not just in your own car, but also potentially assist friends and family. The more you utilize these tools, the better you will become at interpreting the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) they generate. This knowledge can prevent hasty and often incorrect diagnoses made by mechanics who may only partially read DTC descriptions and jump to conclusions. For example, if an error code mentions an O2 sensor or MAF sensor, some mechanics might immediately replace these parts without thoroughly investigating the root cause indicated by the code. A thoughtful approach to understanding what the code is actually communicating is always more effective.
One prevalent issue increasingly observed is engines running too cool due to weak thermostats with softened springs. Approximately 25-30% of vehicles inspected exhibit this problem. Engines operating at lower than optimal temperatures suffer from reduced fuel efficiency, diminished overall engine performance, increased crankcase water vapor and fuel dilution, accelerated oil degradation, and ultimately, premature engine wear. All of these issues translate directly into increased costs for vehicle owners. Considering the relatively low cost of a new thermostat and the minimal time required for replacement, neglecting this issue and driving with a cold engine for extended periods is economically unwise. It’s important to note that most engines should ideally operate near 205°F (96°C), even if equipped with a 180-185°F thermostat. This is largely due to the typical placement of the coolant temperature sensor on the cylinder head’s output side in most vehicles. Furthermore, detecting a soft thermostat can be challenging once ambient air temperatures exceed 70°F (21°C), often requiring techniques like spraying the radiator with water to induce rapid cooling for proper diagnosis.
Alt text: A close-up of an OBD2 scanner interface displaying real-time vehicle data on its color screen, highlighting its user-friendly design for car diagnostics.
The ability of an OBD tool to read real-time data is crucial. This often necessitates owning more than one type of tool to cover different diagnostic needs. It’s important to realize that vehicle problems can exist without triggering the CEL. Lean fuel conditions and coolant temperature irregularities are common examples that may not illuminate the CEL. Optimal engine fuel trims should generally remain within the 0-3% range, with a preference for consistently staying below 2% if achievable. Engine coolant temperatures should typically operate between 200-210°F (93-99°C) under normal driving conditions. Engines should reach their operating temperature within approximately 5-7 miles of driving, even in cold winter conditions.
Let’s explore some of the OBD tool options available, including those frequently used and recommended for maintaining your connected car:
For enthusiasts of the Volkswagen (VW) and Audi community, VCDS (formerly VAG-COM) stands out as the de facto standard for OBDII diagnostics and vehicle diagnostic software.
While VCDS can be somewhat complex for novice users to fully master, it is an exceptionally powerful tool. However, it represents a more significant investment compared to many other options. VCDS requires a Windows laptop, making it less convenient for in-car use while driving, and it’s not designed to be left permanently connected in the vehicle like a compact, wireless OBDII interface.
Alternative, more affordable options are available that may not offer the extensive depth of detail as VCDS but are still highly effective for reading DTC codes, clearing the CEL, and accessing other vehicle modules depending on the tool’s capabilities.
The VAG405 generic OBD scan tool, priced around $46 at the time of the original article, provides VW-specific functionality, including the ability to read and clear OBD DTCs, airbag codes, ABS codes, and potentially codes from climate control, convenience modules, and convertible top systems. Its primary limitation is the lack of real-time data reading capabilities, such as fuel trims, temperature readings, and MAF sensor data.
Amazon.com: Hot MaxScan VAG405 Code Reader OBD2 EOBD CAN BUS VW Audi: Car Electronics
For Autel tools that offer real-time data display, consider the MaxiScan MS509 and the Autel AL619:
Autel MaxiScan MS509 OBD-II/EOBD Scanner : Amazon.com : Automotive
Amazon.com: Autel AL619 OBDII/CAN Scan Tool: Automotive
If you have a Windows-based laptop (compatibility with Apple laptops via Parallels or other Windows boot options may exist, though untested), the ELM Scan 5 USB interface paired with free OBDWiz software, available for approximately $25 on Amazon, is a worthwhile option.
It’s important to note that this is a generic OBD2 scan tool program, not VW-specific, but it provides real-time data display, graphing, recording, and playback capabilities.
Is it a top-tier professional tool? No.
Is it a helpful and decent tool? Yes.
Is it worth the ~$25 price point? Yes.
Pricing on Amazon can fluctuate, but this tool was recently observed around $26. Historically, it was purchased for closer to $30. User experiences indicate that while not perfect or exceptionally intuitive, it functions adequately and delivers on its promises of data acquisition, graphing, and gathering.
For the price point, offering OBDII code reading and clearing along with real-time data graphing, there’s little reason for any car owner not to include such a tool in their automotive toolkit for their connected car. Software upgrades for more advanced features are available for around $90.
ScanTool.net LLC – Premium OBD-2 software for cars and light trucks. – ScanTool.net
Proactive preparation is key. It’s advisable to have your chosen tool and software installed, functional, and familiar to you before encountering vehicle issues. Waiting until a problem arises might mean increased prices and a steeper learning curve when you’re already under pressure.
For those seeking alternatives to PC-based software, smartphones and tablets offer increasingly compelling low-cost options.
Smartphone and Tablet OBD2 Options for the Modern, Connected Driver
Significant advancements have occurred in smartphone and tablet-based OBDII solutions, with new and improved apps constantly emerging. Based on experience supporting users with both Android and iOS devices for OBDII diagnostics, OBDFusion (formerly TouchScan) is highly recommended for both platforms. The developer of OBDFusion is known for their responsiveness and continuous improvements and feature additions to the app.
Pairing an OBDII smartphone/tablet app with a compatible interface, typically costing $30 or less, provides a robust diagnostic capability. These apps excel in diagnosing drivability problems and support crucial OBDII functions like Emission Readiness Monitor Status, Freeze Frame data, and Live/Real-time data. Data logging for post-drive review is another valuable feature, aiding in the identification of intermittent or elusive issues in your connected car.
For Android devices: OBDFusion (Formerly Touch Scan) for around $3.95, used with an ELM327 OBDII to Bluetooth interface.
For Apple iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch): OBD Fusion for $9.95, requiring an ELM327 OBDII to WiFi interface.
Purchasing OBDII interfaces from Amazon within the US/North America is generally recommended for faster shipping. Prioritize interfaces labeled “Fulfilled by Amazon” to avoid potentially lengthy shipping times from overseas. eBay is an alternative, but carefully verify the shipping origin to avoid delays.
Important Update: While Torque was once a leading Android OBDII app, OBDFusion (formerly TouchScan) is now strongly recommended as a more user-friendly and reliable alternative, and it is also slightly less expensive than Torque Pro.
Alt text: A smartphone screen displaying a user-friendly OBD2 app interface, showing real-time engine data and diagnostic information for a connected car.
For Android phone or tablet users, the OBDFusion (formerly Touch Scan) app at approximately $4 coupled with a $15 ELM327 Bluetooth OBD2 adapter from Amazon offers a cost-effective and versatile diagnostic solution. This combination provides a ~$20 scan tool capable of graphing sensor data, reading and clearing codes, tracking driving via GPS, and even calculating vehicle performance metrics, making it an excellent tool for any connected car owner.
For iOS device users, OBDFusion is available for $9.95. Note that this app necessitates an OBDII to WiFi interface. Ensure compatibility by selecting an ELM327 WiFi interface specifically designed for use with OBDFusion and iOS devices.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/obd-fusion-obd2-vehicle-scan/id650684932?mt=8
Other OBDII apps like Rev, DashCommand, and Automatic exist. Exploring reviews and features is recommended if considering these, but they may be more expensive and require specialized or costly interfaces. In terms of functionality and value, none of these alternatives demonstrably outperform OBDFusion.
The UltraGuage is another noteworthy and reasonably priced vehicle monitoring device. This generic tool displays real-time data, tracks fuel consumption and oil change intervals, and allows setting threshold alarms for parameters like voltage and temperature. Priced under $80, the UltraGuage is compatible with any OBDII-equipped vehicle and can be permanently installed for continuous monitoring in your connected car.
UltraGauge Automotive Information Center and OBDII Scan Tool
For a standalone generic scan tool, the Launch CReaderVI is a personal favorite, typically found for around $65 when sourced from Asian suppliers. Amazon pricing may be higher, around $125 or more at the time of the original article.
LAUNCH 301050074 Diagnostic Code Reader VI : Amazon.com : Automotive
The Launch CReaderVI is distinguished as one of the few standalone generic scan tools featuring a color display and onboard real-time graphing of sensor data. While its graphing capabilities are somewhat limited, lacking export and advanced manipulation features found in software-based solutions like OBDFusion, it still surpasses most standalone tools in this regard. The CReader VI also records and plays back OBD data streams. A minor drawback is its lack of internal batteries, requiring connection to a powered OBD port or a USB power source for data review using the provided USB cable.
Investigating Launch products and their availability is recommended for those seeking a capable standalone scan tool for their connected car.
Other budget-friendly OBDII options supporting Emission Readiness, Freeze Frame, and Live/Real-Time Data include:
$33 – Autel AULMS310 – http://www.amazon.com/Autel-AULMS310-MaxiScan-MS310-Reader/dp/B005KOZ25Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384296651&sr=8-1&keywords=Autel-AULMS310&tag=5336612389-20
$45 – Autel AutoLink AL319 – http://www.amazon.com/Autel-AutoLink-AL319-EOBD-Reader/dp/B008PW8822/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384297209&sr=8-1&keywords=al%20319&tag=5336612389-20
The Autel AutoLink AL539 OBD II and Electrical Test Tool presents an intriguing option, combining Live Data, Freeze Frame, Emission Readiness Monitor Status, basic graphing, and a Volt/Ohm meter for under $125.
Key Features Summary:
- Retrieves generic (P0, P2, P3, and U0), manufacturer-specific (P1, P3, and U1) codes, and pending codes.
- Reads live PCM datastream, live O2 sensor test data, and freeze frame data.
- Integrated Amp/Volt/Ohm multimeter for testing amperage (20A max), voltage, resistance, wiring, switches, duty cycle, and more.
- Built-in Starting/Charging system testing for electrical system diagnostics.
- Multilingual menu and DTC definitions (English, Spanish, and French).
The AutoLink AL539 supports all 10 OBD II modes for comprehensive diagnostics. Features like the patented One-Click I/M Readiness Key, graphing digital Multimeter, starting and charging system tests, TFT color display, and integrated speaker make the AL539 a versatile and user-friendly tool for efficient and accurate automotive service and repair for your connected car.
Autel AL539 OBDII and Electrical Test Tool with AVO Meter : Amazon.com : Automotive
In the immediate term, for individuals without a scan tool needing code readings, most auto parts stores (excluding some locations in California) offer loaner scan tools for code retrieval and potential CEL resets, at least within their parking areas. Stores like Auto Zone, Advance Auto Parts, Pep Boys, and O’Reilly Auto Parts commonly provide this service. Aamco Transmission also advertises free code reading services. However, California may have restrictions due to SMOG regulations, potentially preventing parts stores from loaning tools for CEL resets, possibly to encourage visits to certified SMOG check centers. The situation in California regarding loaner scan tools may present unique challenges.
