If you are the proud owner of a Toyota vehicle, then you should know that the common type of OBD 2 scanners will not really work well with your car. To ensure that you properly inspect your car engine and get the best diagnosis, then you must purchase only the best Toyota scan tools in the market. There are a number of scanners that can quickly diagnose a large variety of problems in your car. While a number of generic scanners may do the job, it is advisable that you make use of a scanner that is made just for Toyota. This will give you the most ideal results. This article allows you to take a look at some of the best scanners for your Toyota.
If you own a Toyota, then you drive one of the best car models in the world. This vehicle model can be found in all of the continents around the world. When it comes to depending on a very safe and reliable car, Toyota is definitely one of the most respected models in the market. All Toyota drivers are guaranteed that they will enjoy years of great service without having to deal with any major issues.
However, it is important to note, as amazing as Toyota cars are, they are still not error-free. All vehicles are prone to experiencing a number of setbacks and problems. We can all agree, that one of the most irritating things is when the ‘check engine light’ suddenly pops up.
Almost all car owners get annoyed when they notice that this little light is on. The engine light is used to indicate a problem with your car engine; however, you cannot really pinpoint the exact problem that your car is facing.
In order to find out the exact problem that your OBD 2 scanner is facing, it is important that you invest in an OBD 2 scanner. A lot of drivers spend a lot of time, energy and money taking a trip to the garage.
Owning an OBD 2 scanner eliminates the need to regularly visit the mechanic. This is because this scan tool allows you to diagnose the problem for yourself.
In the early years, a number of drivers had to disassemble all their engine parts looking for the source of the problem. Today, these scanners not only identify the issues that your car is having, but it can also provide solutions especially for all of the DIY enthusiasts.
Today’s market is filled with a number of scanners and as a car owner, you must ensure that you are going to make use of the correct scanner for your engine. The good news is that finding an OBD 2 scanner for your car is not such a hard process. This is because most scanners are compatible with Toyotas.
The scanners used on Toyotas are quite efficient. This is great as manufacturing costs are cut and you are assured that all your scan tools will function effectively.
To make the task of looking for the most ideal scan tool possible, we have listed the best OBD 2 scanners for your Toyota. In this article, we also focus on the main features of the scanner as well as all the advantages.
The article will give you a glimpse of what you should expect from your scanner. In addition, we have gone through a number of factors that you must consider when purchasing your OBD 2 scanner. If you are browsing through different options, this guide should help you through the entire process.
Here are the best OBD Scanners for Toyota
Comparsion table
[content-egg module=Amazon template=list]
Autel Maxidas DS808
The Autel Maxidas DS808 brags of owning magnificent car coverage. This means that you can use the scanner on a large variety of cars from continents such as Europe, Asia, and the US. This means cars manufactured from the year 1996.
With this scanner, you can make use of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of your car. This means that you are enabled to access the vehicle control system of your car. The airbag system, the anti-lock brake system, the engine, and transmission all fall under some of the appliances that are covered by this gadget.
This scanner is great at spotting the areas that cause issues with your vehicle. It is also the best at effectively clearing error codes and also taking care of the mandatory active tests. The tests are quite advanced as they qualify you to give output elements a test as other than relying on the ignition status.
With this scanner, you will find it easy to gain access to the car’s system. This will allow you to recover information on the service that was scheduled as well as the maintenance that is required. This scanner is quite light and very easy to handle. It weighs only 2.05 lbs and making use of this scanner is quite easy.
The Autel scanner is one of the best scanners in the world. It has very modern in-built mechanical systems that allow users to easily handle repairs without using a lot of effort. This scanner features a ton of multi-tasking capabilities that run on an Android operating system. It features an LCD touch screen of 7-inches. The screen is very responsive allowing fast and easy intuitive operation.
The scanner also has an OE level diagnostic feature that is devised with a lot of concentration and accuracy allowing for high-performance levels. In addition, the speed of the scanner is quite high. This is because it operates on a really quick quad-core processor that increases its performance and efficiency during the diagnostic procedure.
Pros
- The scanner features a large and easy to read the screen.
- It features a number of high-grade apps and software
- It can track and check on the performance of your vehicle in real-time.
Cons
- The performance of the tablet is not too great
- The scanner may fail to clear all of the error codes
View price on Amazon
Innova 3160g
The Innova 3160g scanner denotes a very sleek and modern look. This scanner is so easy and comfortable to hold and handle. It is also designed with a casing that protects the screen so if the scanner is dropped the screen will not crack. The buttons on this device are placed in an ideal position allowing you to use both of your hands to operate the menu system. The scanner has a very large screen easily revealing all of the data and information collected.
The Innova 3160g is designed with all of the great functionalities of an OBD 2 scanner. With this scanner, you can read most of the codes that are specific to the manufacturer. This includes oil, batteries, supplemental restraint system and air braking systems. The scanner also works well in viewing and exporting all live data as well as freeze frame data. The scanner connects to another app using Bluetooth.
The scanner can also read a large number of protocols. That includes JI850 VPW, CAN, ISO 9149, J1850 PWM and the Keyword 2000 protocol. The system reveals its data in the English, French and Spanish languages. The scanner also has a repair solutions software. This software will allow you to identify the main cause of the car’s problem and it will offer you a number of options helping you fix your car’s problem.
The scanner’s software also shows drivers exactly where the issue is originating from and advises on what car engine parts need to be replaced.
Pros
- The Menu is easy to use and also offers you a number of different options
- The scanner reads engine, oil, battery, and ABS codes and also clears them
- The scanner can stream real-time data from your car and also record it.
Cons
- There are a few cases reported whereby the software is not compatible with the computer.
- The scanner does not have codes for a few models of the Toyota
View price on Amazon
Actron CP9690
The Actron CP9690 scanner is quite small in size and it can easily be held in your hand. The scanner has a screen that reveals all of your information and data. The scanner also has a number of buttons that will ease the navigation process as you read the presented data.
This scanner is quite durable. It is manufactured with a hard-plastic casing that absorbs heavy impact. The soft rubber grip that is found on the side of your scanner will not allow the scanner to slip from your hand.
The scanner has a number of cables that you can use to connect the device to any vehicle. It does not matter if the vehicle can only work with OBD 1 scanners or OBD 2 scanners, this device is quite compatible.
It can even work on vehicles that have been manufactured since 1984. When the device is connected to the engine system, the cables charge the scanner.
With this scanner, you can reset the oil lights for your vehicle. You can also do the same for your battery light. The scanner also allows you to read your ABS and SRS codes.
It also reads the freeze frame data as well as the transmission and engine codes. The results are displayed on the screen. The scanner also reads I/M monitors, pending codes and monitor systems. The results are displayed in a graph.
The information is presented in three different languages that are English, Spanish and French. Another great feature of this scanner is the data-logging that is presented in real-time. If you would like to read and analyze the data, you can save and scan the information.
Pros
- It is small and compact
- The scanner is designed with a larger screen than other scanners
- The menu controls are easy-to-use.
Cons
- Sometimes the scanner may experience some trouble when trying to connect
- There are a few instances, whereby the device may not be able to come on
View price on Amazon
Total Car Diagnostics TOAD
If you do not prefer to work with a scanning tool or a tablet that you can hold in your hand then you can make use of a software-based approach. TOAD is an abbreviation of the word Total Onboard Auto Diagnostics. This scanner is one of the most ideal scanning tools in the market.
The scanner boasts of having ECU Tuning features. Contemporary vehicles are designed with onboard computers that keep an eye on the state and the well-being of your car. The data is provided in real-time and it is important that you study all of the information provided. In addition, TOAD is quite effective as it allows you to fine-tune your computer. This really improves the performance of your Toyota.
One of the advantages of owning a Toyota car is that nearly all OBD 2 scanners are compatible with each and every model of your car. Unfortunately, as new models continue to be released into the market, your scanning tool could end up becoming outdated.
Luckily, that is not a possibility if you decide to use TOAD as a scanner. With this scanner, you can receive automatic updates forever. Whenever a new Toyota model is released to the public, you can access all of the OBD2 codes. This means that the scanner will always be able to work with your vehicle.
TOAD is one of the best software-based applications in the industry today. It offers users a large number of diagnostic tools. Additionally, with this scanner, you will be able to gain access to all types of manuals for repairs. This allows you to keep our car in great shape and you will not have to take a trip to the mechanic all the time.
Pros
- The scanner has a professional-grade software
- It offers users forums and repair manuals online
- This scanner also tunes and upgrades the ECU of your car.
Cons
- It is not able to check on other types of internal systems like your TPMS and your airbags
- This scanner costs more money than other scanners in the market
View price on Amazon
Factors That You Must Consider When Purchasing an OBD Scanner for Your Toyota.
The market is filled with a large number of scan tools. Every scan tool is unique, offering you different features and functions. Purchasing the most ideal scanner can help you save a lot of money as well as improve the performance and productivity of your car. Choosing the wrong scanner can actually turn into an expensive and unnecessary investment.
If you are a car owner, and you would like to get some insight into your car’s problem, it is important that you choose to use a scanner that will really help you. This will actually eliminate the need to regularly drive to the mechanic.
In this section, we will highlight some of the major factors that you must put into consideration. This will allow you to select the most ideal scanner for your vehicle.
Select a Scanner That You Can Upgrade
OBD scanners should always be upgraded. This will update the device with the most recent diagnostic technology allowing it to be compatible with the new car models in the industry. Purchasing a scanner that can go through updates gives you the leverage to use it on a new Toyota model.
A number of manufacturers offer consumers free updates especially for the new scanners that they are piloting into the market. The updates are free of charge.
It is important to remember that cheaper scanners are not able to update. If you want to use your tool for a long time even on newer models, it is advisable that you purchase a more advanced scanner.
They cost a lot more, however, you will be able to gain a lot of benefits. Your device will be able to function properly and you will also be able to benefit from the fixes and latest technology. This will amplify the features and functions of your scanner.
A Scanner That is Easy to Use
All scanners come with a detailed manual that can guide you. With the manual, you will learn how to work with the menu, software, different functions, and features.
However, this does not guarantee that you will find the scanner so easy to use. That is why it is important that you ensure that you have a scanner that has buttons that are neatly arranged, has an easy to use interface and it is also portable.
Before you purchase your scanner, it is important that you take some time to read other reviews from customers to get an idea of whether the scanner is easy to use.
The Compatibility of the Scanner
When purchasing your scanner, it is important to ensure that your device is compatible with your Toyota. If your scanner is not compatible with your car, then it will not help you in any kind of way. A number of manufacturers have a large database with a number of different vehicles that are compatible with the scanning tools that they offer.
It is also important to go through different customer reviews that reveal a lot of information about the scanner that you would like to purchase. You must also consider how your scanner can power up.
Some scanners work with a Bluetooth app and you can study the information and the data on your phone. Scanners also provide you with repair information with is very convenient as you can easily fix the issues that your car is facing much faster.
The Features on your Scanner
The market is filled with high-end scanners as well as contemporary models. Therefore, the level of functionality that you want from your scanner will determine the kind of scanner that you will buy.
If you are working with a really small budget, the basic code reader is not a bad choice, however, if you would like to make use of more features and functions, you should choose a more advanced scanner, which will cost you more money.
A scanner’s main feature is to reveal error codes on your engine and even the basic scanners can read and clear the emission test and the “Check Engine” light. Advanced scanners provide you with on-screen information, data logging, printability, storage and even live feed.
Very complex scanners provide you with very advanced and detailed diagnostic information. Such models can test TPMs, SRS, BMS, DFF, and EPD. Consumers are advised to make a list of all of the features they are looking for before they buy a scanner. Doing this will really help you select something that will serve you well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an OBD and why is it important?
OBD stands for On-Board Diagnostics. The OBD is a computer-based system that is designed into all vehicles that are light-duty. The OBD is used to scan the vehicle’s performance.
The OBD indicates if any engine part is malfunctioning. The scanner also assists you. You will be able to take care of any issues that you will face allowing you to avoid major repairs that could really cost you.
What issues can your OBD scanner detect?
As mentioned earlier, the market is filled with different types of OBD scanners. There are different brands and models. The variety of the codes, as well as the compatibility, ensures that the OBD scanners are very ideal tools.
OBD scanners can easily monitor your car checking the aspects of your vehicle such as the pressure, fuel, and temperature of your car. Advanced scanners monitor even more aspects such as vehicle information, test drive information and even the repair state functions.
How does an OBD scanner function on a Toyota?
An OBD is a device that is meant to help drivers discover the different areas that have errors in their cars. The OBD 2 scanners are acknowledged all over the globe because these devices are compatible with nearly all types and models of vehicles in the world.
The scanners are equipped with a variety of electronic sensors and also gas sensors. These sensors are in the form of oxygen, carbon dioxide as well as a number of toxic sensors. These allow you to become aware of the different levels of polluting emissions from the engine. These emissions are often caused by an error in the engine.
Conclusion
There are a large number of diagnostic tools for Toyotas that can meet your budget and style. Purchasing a high-quality and dependable scanner is a really good decision. It will really cut back on the money that you spend at the garage as well as the time you spend.
In our opinion, the Innova 3160g s a really ideal scanner as it reads ABS codes as well as the information on your engine, oil, and battery. It can stream real-time data and also clear error codes. In addition, this scanner is very easy to use.
If you own a Toyota and you are looking for a nice and effective scanner, the scanners listed in this review are known to be quite useful. You are guaranteed that your vehicle will remain in good condition. The scanners work well in diagnosing the problem as well as offering the best solution.
