We all know that a trip to the garage could end up costing you so much money. Once you hear your car producing an odd noise, you may end up rushing to a mechanic because unfortunately, you do not have the required skill set to examine and inspect your vehicle on your own. The good news is that today there are a number of mechanical tools that can reduce your trips to the garage and help you save a lot of money. This review will take you through exactly how you can do that.
I think we can all agree, that the last thing we would want to see is the vehicle’s “check engine” light come on. The engine light is used to indicate to the driver that there is a problem with the car.
A number of drivers aren’t always able to locate the cause or the source of the problem. This compels them to take trips to the garage or the mechanic, and only one trip could end up costing you anything between $100 – $1000.
As mentioned earlier, there are a number of mechanical tools that have been produced to help car owners find out and fix any kind of problems that their vehicles could be facing. This is made possible by the use of the onboard diagnostic (OBD 2) scanner.
The OBD 2 scanner is a diagnostic device that is used to connect the user to the onboard computer of your car. The market is filled with a number of different OBD 2 scanners with different features and different options.
The OBD 2 scanners are great as they give you the chance to find out exactly what is the problem your car is experiencing. Those who do not make use of scanners and the onboard computers in their car often take apart different parts of the engine trying to get to the source of the problem.
This method is long and quite tedious. At the end of the day, it will cost you a lot of money. With the scanner, it is so easy to figure out what problem your engine is experiencing and before long you can just have it fixed.
There are different types of scanners. There are scanners that are handheld and use a connection cable as well as a screen. There are other smaller scanners that you can easily plug into the port of the vehicle’s OBD. Once plugged in you can connect the scanner to your phone or your tablet by using Bluetooth, and you can read the data presented.
OBD2 scanners are great at scrambling around to arrest the problems that your car could be facing. It does not matter if the problem is simple or complex, the problem will be fixed. All of the OBD-II scanners work on car models that have been manufactured since the year 1996.
The scanners can put off the check engine light and can also distinguish between a catalytic converter that has broken from a clogged EGR valve. This alone could save you lots of money that you would use on just repairs.
In this guide, we will go through the most ideal OBD2 scanners specifically for your iPhone. We also take some time to break down the various features of the scanner, highlighting the advantages. The article will allow consumers to find out exactly what they should expect from the OBD 2 scanners they choose to buy.
We have also listed a number of factors that consumers should consider when buying an OBD 2 scanner. If you are out in the market browsing through different options, this guide will really come in handy.
Here are the Best OBD2 Scanners for iPhone
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BlueDriver LSB2 Bluetooth Pro OBD2 Scan Tool
If you’re out in the market searching for a code reader that uses Bluetooth and is very professional, the BlueDriver LSB2 Bluetooth Pro is exactly what you need. This OBD 2 scanner has a ton of great features and you are guaranteed to be served well.
The scanner offers consumers live data and a number of different customization options. You get to choose how you would like to view your data, whether you prefer to read the information presented to you in a graph, gauge or even in a digital display.
You also get the chance to customize the color of your graph. This will allow you to differentiate certain factors and it will also improve your understanding.
You can also choose the data sources that you will display on your dashboard. This includes fuel pressure, speed, and RPMs. The Bluedriver scanner can display any accurate and complete information about your vehicle.
This includes recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, specifications and maintenance schedules. This scanneris also capable of running a series of advanced tests. These include fuel system tests, airbags, a test on the comprehensive components, ABS and also misfire counts.
Additionally, with this scanner, you can find out if you can take your car for a local smog test. This is quite necessary because failing to perform a Local Smog Check Program can actually land you in trouble.
To export the data found, the wireless iPhone scanner creates a log file. After that the information is exported to a computer. The database provides you with over 30 million results. This system is really smart and provides consumers with the most ideal solutions.
The Bluedriver scanner is quite compatible with working well with Nisaans, BMW models, Ford, Honda, GM, Volkswagen, and even Chrysler models. The software of this scanner is also very compatible with working iOS devices and the app can be downloaded at no cost at all.
This scanner is the best for any car owner who is also interested in DIY projects. The diagnostics offered are very detailed and the scanner also makes it quite easy to handle them. Your iPhone will be able to operate the scanner quite well, and it is quite ideal for those who prefer a scanner that makes use of Bluetooth and has very advanced features.
Pros
- It provides you with logging features in real-time. This data includes engine oil temperature and fuel usage.
- The scanner reads CEL codes
- The scanner has a collection of 6.6 million verified fixes. This is great as it quickly displays the fault in your car and also offers a fix.
Cons
- The scanner cannot activate any relays or switches
- The app can only work well on your phone and not your laptop
- The scanner cannot show any cam or crank sensor details
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The Veepeak OBDCheck BLE OBD2 Wireless Scanner
The Veepeak OBDChcck BLE OBD2 uses Bluetooth to read codes. The scanner can also run both basic and more modern functions and features of your car using a third-party app. This scanner provides its consumers with a number of features and functions.
There are the clear and reset functions, the engine light function and also trouble codes. The Veepeak scanner also provides you with live sensor readings as well as presenting you with live data in the form of graphs. This method of presenting data helps you get really quick results.
In addition, the scanner also gives you a customized dashboard inclusive of all the data. It also tracks your fuel usage as well as showing your route and it also provides you with data in a freeze-frame. The scanner also works well in performing smog checks.
The Veepeak scanner makes use of the Bluetooth 4.0. This Bluetooth version is known for consuming little power. The scanner also has very modern features that make use of different apps.
The OBD Auto Doctor app is essential in allowing you to check on your engine lights. The ELM OBD2 monitors what action your car is performing and provides you with live data. It also reveals any fault codes.
The DashCommand is effective at letting you check the diagnostics of your engine lights, If you own a BMW, the BimmerCode app allows you to code. The TripLog app is effective at making it so easy to keep track of the mileage of your car.
There is the Carista OBD2 app that is great at offering you a number of customization options. The OBD Auto Doctor app provides you with CEL diagnostics. If you own a Nissan Leaf, the LeafSpy app is great at allowing you to monitor the battery as well as other information on the vehicle.
The scanner works well on your iOS platform and it supports all car models that have been manufactured in the US from 1996. If you are looking for a scanner that provides you with basic features and advanced features the Veepeak Bluetooth scanner is a very ideal choice. It works well at taking care of a number of functions.
Pros
- The scanner is quite affordable
- The scanner has a ton of compatible apps that contributes to the highly advanced features of the scanner.
- It helps you save power.
Cons
- It is quite slow when using advanced functions and features
- The additional apps can really add to the amount of money you will spend on the scanner.
- You may face some issues with compatibility when you are dealing with the advanced features of your scanner
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PLX Device Kiwi 3 OBD2 Bluetooth Support
The PLX Kiwi 3 scanner is described as a plug and play device. It is quite small and very easy to use. The scanner has won a couple of awards because it is one of the best Bluetooth scanners in the market.
The results of your engine are displayed immediately you plug in the scanner. The PLX company also provides its users with a very competitive return policy.
The scanner has a great number of amazing features and functions. It makes use of the exclusive Kiwi OBD app. This app is very easy to use and is filled with a number of features. The PLX Kiwi scanner is one of the most compact OBD scanners in the market. It has a very fast processor.
It is said to process information 4 times faster than many other scanners that are purchased within the same price range. Some of the basic features that this scanner provides include GPS mapping features, performance meters, fuel efficiency, real-time data, and data logging features.
The scanner also uses very low power. When active the scanner will only consume 0.2Watts and when it is on sleep mode this scanner will only make use of 0.05 Watts.
The Kiwi 3 scanner is very compatible. It performs all its tasks very well when used on vehicle models that have been manufactured in the year 1996 and above. The scanner works well with all the main OBD protocols.
This is inclusive of ISO 15765-4 CAN, The SAE J2411-SWCAN, SAE J1850-VPW, ISO-9141-2, SAE J1939 250/500 kps, ISO 14230-4 Slow/Fast and the SAE J1850-PWM.
Some of the basic features that this scanner offers, includes GPS mapping, performance meters, fuel efficiency, real-time data as well as data logging. The Kiwi-3 scanner is very compatible with your iOS system allowing you to read and understand all of the data presented from the car’s engine.
Pros
- There are 6 apps present in this scanner. That includes the apps for the gear, trip, custom, engine, efficiency, and dashboard.
- It is quite small in size
- This scanner is four times faster than the conventional scanners that use Bluetooth.
Cons
- The scanner only keeps track of basic functions
- The kiwi app provides you with a free trial, however, for it to work fully it must be purchased
- The connection is not so great, it keeps on breaking
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Factors that You Must Consider When Buying the Most Ideal OBD 2 Scanner for your Vehicle
When buying an OBD 2 scanner there are a number of different key factors that must be put into consideration. The OBD 2 scanner that you will purchase is largely dependent on the type of your car and the requirements of your vehicle. The OBD 2 scanners are the most powerful.
They work well with iOS platforms and are compatible with very many car types and models. In this section, we go through a number of factors that must be put into consideration before finally purchasing your OBD 2 scanner.
Compatibility
It is important that you purchase a scanner that is compatible with the model of your car. The make of your car, as well as the fuel type, must also be considered. Most of the scanners in the market only support cars, however, there are a number of scanners that can support both light and heavy-duty trucks as well.
You should also make sure that you check for protocols. Most scanners cover five OBD2 protocols however some scanners may also support additional protocols.
It is also important to remember that, OBD 2 scanners also work with vehicles that were manufactured in 1996 and the years later. Ensure that your car is not older because the OBD 2 scanner will not be compatible with such an older model.
A Scanner that has Updates
It is important that you purchase a scanner that regularly offers you updates. A scanner that updates frequently allows you to take care of many more problems in your car. A lot of scanners do well in offering you software support that will last for a lifetime.
A scanner that updates frequently is quite ideal because so many vehicles come with new problems or in time, vehicles could develop a new set of problems. Software updates are the only guarantee that your car will remain in safe and great condition for a long time.
A number of scanners can update online while others must be connected to a computer to be able to update. The updates still work well, however, some users may not be in possession of a computer and this may hinder the update process.
The Apps on Your OBD 2 Scanner
OBD 2 scanners use apps to function and perform tasks. Some scanners come inclusive with their own app while other scanners make use of third-party apps.
A number of professionals advise drivers to choose a scanner that uses its own app and also makes use of any third-party app. This gives you a chance to decide if you would like to purchase an app or not.
The functions and features that you will make use of will depend on the app that you will choose to use. This is why having a third-party app comes in very handy.
The Price of Your Scanner
The amount of money that you will spend on your OBD 2 scanner will depend on what specific tool you need and the budget that you have set for yourself. If you would like a highly functioning basic Code Reader, your budget will be anything from $100 to a couple of hundred dollars.
The DIY scan tools often cost anything from $10-$50. These tools often use the Bluetooth adapter. The app is usually free of charge or it costs very little money to download it.
Most of the paid apps in the market can be purchased for less than $10, however, some free apps have what is known as in-app purchases. These apps give them more functions and diagnostics that could cost anything between $5-&50.
Very professional diagnostic scan tools cost over $300. If you are looking for a scanner that can provide you with executive capabilities, you must be willing to spend a lot of money.
The After-Sale Service
Another major factor that you must put into consideration is the service that you will receive after you purchase your scanner. There are a number of companies and brands that provide you with a refund policy, communication, and even additional tech support.
A number of companies offer their clients a refund policy, however, not all of the companies in the industry have a refund policy. When purchasing your OBD 2 Scanner, it is important that you confirm if you will be able to benefit from a refund policy or not. In most cases, a number of companies can give you back your money if you return the package within a period of 30 days.
It is also advisable to confirm if it is possible to communicate with the manufacturer of the scanner. You should lookout for a customer service number or an email address that you can use. There are a number of manufacturers that make use of a chat feature.
This feature allows you to communicate directly with the manufacturing team. These communication features come in quite handy if you ever experience a challenge while handling the scanner and you would like some assistance.
The tech support is great as it provides you with an additional set of hands when making use of the scan tool or taking care of any issues with the scanner. If you are a newbie and you are not so versed with how a scanner works, the additional technical support is exactly what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do the free apps that come with your iPhone provide a number of functionalities?
The OBD 2 app has a great interface and always features very easy to use functions. The free versions that are available provide consumers with a large number of functions that allow you to monitor your vehicle in real-time and they also have very high-end features.
Which versions of the iPhone can support your OBD 2 scanner?
Each and every iPhone model. The iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 can support a number of OBD 2 apps, however, the most recent models can only support scanners that have more updated apps.
Do I need to have any access to the internet o that I can make use of the scanner on an iPhone?
No, you do not. You are only required to be connected to the internet when you are downloading updates from the internet or searching for codes for your car engine.
Which is the most ideal iPhone app for an OBD 2 scanner?
Scanners make use of a number of great apps that allow them to work well on different car models. The OBD Fusion, however, is one of the greatest apps in the market. It has amazing features and works well on almost all iPhone models. The app that you will choose to use depends entirely on you. The functions that you need for your vehicle as well as the app that your scanner is compatible with.
Conclusion
The market is filled with a number of OBD 2 scanners, however, purchasing the most ideal scanner that can be used on your iPhone does not necessarily have to be a difficult task.
In our opinion, the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE OBD2 Wireless Scanner scanner is the most ideal. It has a very fast processor allowing you to diagnose the problems and read results just as soon as it is connected to your car. It also makes use of 6 apps and it is also very small and easy-to-use.
This review will guide you when you are in the market helping you zero-in on the most ideal OBD 2 scanner for you.
