A Bluetooth kit does not only allow drivers to speak hands-free over the phone, but it also allows them to listen to music through their compatible car stereo systems.
In this article, we will focus on the use of the Bluetooth technology in car diagnostics. We will likewise feature some of the most sought-after Bluetooth On-board Diagnostics II (OBD2) scan tools available today and draw attention to their most important features.
Our picked Best OBD2 Scanner for DIY in 2018
Our recommendations for the Best OBD2 scanner Bluetooth should
BlueDriver Bluetooth Professional OBDII Scan Tool
Why should buy BlueDriver Bluetooth?
BlueDriver Bluetooth is an auto diagnosis tool which has been included in this list due to its various useful features like preparation of repair report, reads and clears error codes, emission check of your vehicle to make it ready for smog test. Moreover it sends all the information to your Bluetooth enabled device for you to view.
Benefits
It clears error codes very efficiently. For instance, if there is an error in your engine light then it will diagnose the causes of the problem and provide you all the possible solutions for it. It is the best feature for the people who maintain their cars themselves. They can easily fix the problem at priority with the help of this tool, if it persists frequently. It can also read important information about your vehicle including engine data, assembly location, fuel consumption, temperature of engine coolant and VIN number of your vehicle. It can also help in smog check and emission test. It will provide you report of the tests along with possible solutions for the problems detected.
Drawbacks
Though it is an affordable tool available at $99.95 while using it you will have to face certain issues like Bluetooth connectivity and proper working of its app as sometimes they may disappoint you. Moreover it is not compatible with Windows phones, which is very discouraging for a large number of people. Along with it this tool is not suitable for all the OBDII vehicles, as claimed by the manufacturer. Some of its features do not work with certain vehicles like live data feature do not work with BMWs, Volvos, Hyundais and VW Golf along with Ford Excursion with 7.3 litre Diesel engine.
BAFX Products 34t5 Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tool for Android Devices
Why should buy BAFX OBD2 scan tool?
BAFX Products OBD2 Bluetooth scanner, this car scanning tool is in the list of top best car diagnostic tools because of its extremely affordable price of $21.99 on Amazon.
Benefits
People using various car diagnostic programs prefer to use it because of its compatibility to almost all the third arty OBDII apps available at PlayStore. It can scan various issues in your vehicle including reading sensor codes, engine light codes, rest engine light and prepare your vehicle for emission test. It also works well with various third party applications like torque. The statistics provided by it like readings of horsepower, RPM, braking info, acceleration along with graph of the speed of the vehicle keep the car geeks occupied for several hours. The CD provided by its manufacturer allows you to install its reader on your PC.
Drawbacks
Though it is a good device still it has certain issues. It is not compatible with Apple devices as well as the vehicles with J1850-PWM protocol. It is also not much reliable as it can stop working anytime. Another drawback of this tool is that it only reads the stats even only from OBDII system. It does not suggest possible solutions for your problems. So if your car has other types of sensors then you will have to use some other scanning tool to resolve their problems. This tool is good only for analysing basic problems of your car containing OBDII system due to its affordable price.
Panlong Car Diagnostic scanner
With the budget about $13 for the Obd2 scanner, you can see Panlong’s small OBD II on Amazon. It is the Best Bluetooth Obd2 scanner simply perfect for the do-it-yourselfer.
This reader will work on any car from 1996 or later – it just might not work with some hybrids. However to use it, you need setup a third-party app on the device for example Torque or DashCommand then you’ll be able to read and clear trouble codes, while receiving real-time data readings – and you’ll be able to turn off that damn Check Engine light!
Features
- Learn diagnostic bother codes, each generic and manufacturer-specific , and show their which means (over 3000 generic code definitions within the database)
- Clear bother codes and switch off the MIL (“Verify Engine” mild)
- Set the utmost variety of responses to acquire
- Take away areas from ECU responses (to hurry information transmission)
- Retailer a singular identifier in EEPROM
- Set the CAN masks and filter with one command
- Simply swap between variable and stuck CAN message lengths
- Ship CAN distant frames (RTRs)
ScanTool 426101 OBDLink MX Bluetooth Scanner
The ScanTool 426101 diagnostic scanner is a small, but powerful device. By the look itself, it’s made of quality and durable materials, thus I can expect it to last longer.
Having used a few similar wireless adapters like the ELM327, the ScanTool 426101 scan tool is way faster and more reliable in terms of establishing Bluetooth connection and performing app updates. I never had any issues, whatsoever, with the wireless connection using my Samsung and Motorola phones.
Its response time is likewise quick and it’s capable of supporting large amount of car data. This is great for those who want to quickly get vehicle information or clear annoying check engine light problems.
Along with Torque Pro, the adapter works great as it’s capable of handling high-data speed. For about $5, you’ll get to see other nice interfaces and gauge dashboards that display information like the voltage, oil pressure, and manifold pressure.
However, I’ve discovered some compatibility issues using the scan tool along with other car apps like DashCommand and OBD Auto Doctor. Other than the price, this is by far my biggest complaint about the product.
One of my favorite features of the ScanTool 426101 diagnostic scanner is the Auto-Shutoff. I can leave it plugged into to the car 24/7 without having to worry about a dead car battery the following day.
Verdict:
The ScanTool 426101 diagnostic scanner is recommended to those looking for a device that can be used long-term. Albeit expensive, the scan tool addresses some quality issues imminent from cheaper devices. It can likewise be relied upon when it comes to accuracy of data.
ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX Bluetooth Scanner
It is easy to setup and is straightforward to use for the first time. So as long as you know where to locate the OBDII connector of your car, then you’re good to go.
The device already comes along with an OBDLink Android app that is similar to other gauge apps like Torque and OBDwiz PC Software which cost about $5 and $30 respectively.
The OBDLink Android app can be used to get real-time readings such as engine temperature, speed, fuel rate, and more. It can likewise detect check engine light problems and show pending error codes.
A major selling point of this scan tool is that it can help determine if your car is capable of passing an emission test. For those who prefer using Torque Pro to enjoy the luxury of customizing gauges, ScanTool 427201 can be relied upon. Measurement of data such as throttle, vacuum, and torque is fast and accurate and there is no lag at all.
If there’s one clear disadvantage that this device has, it’s the simple fact that it’s not compatible with iOS devices or computers.
Meanwhile, I’ve read quite a few feedbacks from other users claiming their car engine shuts down everytime the ScanTool 427201 diagnostic device stops communicating with their phone or tablet. I haven’t personally experienced this problem, but it’s one of the things we can closely monitor for safety reasons.
Verdict:
ScanTool 427201, along with the OBDLink LX, is an effective and highly-accurate device. It’s fast at retrieving information with almost no delay. I recommend this scan tool to all car enthusiasts.
Why Choose a Bluetooth Auto Scan Tool
As we all know, the use of scan tools to diagnose possible issues causing a “Check Engine” light is extremely necessary. Thanks to the wide collection of sensors installed in vehicles nowadays, we’re now able to detect car engine, emission, and transmission problems using OBD scanners.
Over the years, OBD 2 scan tools have also become increasingly powerful as more features have been added. Most notable is the use of the Bluetooth technology.
Explained briefly below are some of the advantages of Bluetooth scanners we have today:
- Compatibility with most devices means convenience. Bluetooth auto scan tools can easily communicate with Android smartphones, iOS devices, and Windows computers. This means more convenience to drivers who want to easily get information about their cars minus the hassle brought by some wires.
- Portability and fast delivery of data are the norm. Bluetooth scanners nowadays have a compact size and have been integrated with features perfect for users who are always on-the-go. Moreover, data processing is ultra-fast that users can even view real-time car data in no time.
How do most Bluetooth scanners work? It’s simple.
1) An additional software or app is first installed on the smartphone or computer. Most of the time, the software is provided with the Bluetooth adaptor. For more information about the availability of the software, users may check with the manufacturer. (Note: Some OBD2 scanners may only work in an Android smartphone, while some are designed solely for iOS devices).
2) While the ignition switch is still turned off, the Bluetooth scanner is plugged into Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC).
3) Without starting the vehicle, the ignition switch is turned on. The Bluetooth scan tool may then start scanning the car.
4) Once Bluetooth connectivity has already been established in between the Bluetooth scanner and the smartphone or laptop, users can begin viewing the results of the scan.
Who should consider buying Bluetooth scanners?
Bluetooth automotive scan tools are highly-recommended to amateur and professional auto mechanics.
- For amateur auto mechanics, Bluetooth scanners can send out useful data like engine speed, temperature, and fuel economy. These can provide users a somewhat complex, but easy-to-understand view about their cars that can serve as guide when troubleshooting car problems.
- For professional auto mechanics, reading generic and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) trouble codes would be a lot faster. Bluetooth scanners likewise offer more features that would surely complement to every professional mechanic’s existing set of automotive tools and equipment.
Essential Considerations when buying a Bluetooth scanner
When planning to purchase a Bluetooth auto scan tool, it’s important to take note of some important factors. Doing so would not only save you some money, but would also save yourself from all the hassles and inconvenience. Here are some important things to consider:
- Compatibility with vehicles. Cars that have been manufactured and sold since 1996 are required to be OBD2-compliant. This means that if you’ve purchased a car just recently, the Bluetooth scanners available today are most likely to work. Still, it would be best to check your car’s make and model on the manufacturer’s site for more information or to contact the obd2 bluetooth scan tool’s maker for further advice.
- Compatibility with devices. Most of the devices we have now are Bluetooth-compatible. However, it’s important to check if your smartphone or tablet can communicate with each other. Some auto scan tools are designed to work only with Android smartphones, while some work mainly with iOS devices. Meanwhile, there are some scan tools that can work with various operating systems.
- Features: Bluetooth scanners offer varying features that amateur or professional auto mechanics may either find helpful or unnecessary. It’s therefore advisable if you know what you really need from the scanner so you’ll know which to choose. If you’re fine with a device that simply reads and clear trouble codes, then you may settle for a cheaper, but reliable scanner with lesser features. For professional auto mechanics, a Bluetooth scanner with loads of features may be the best choice.
- Price: Normally, products that offer more features are often more expensive. However, the more costly devices are not at all times the better ones. Other features offered are sometimes not too important, but are there for marketing purposes. It therefore pays to be smart when determining which product is the right one for you and your car.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that all OBD2 scan tools we have today will only read OBD2 codes generated by vehicles, as obligated by law.
Here are some essential things to remember:
- Generic OBDII scan tools do not read OEM-specific codes that are separately generated from OBDII codes.Therefore, those having serious technical issues with OEM-specific codes would have to consult a certified mechanic or dealer who has the appropriate reader.
- Generic OBDII scan tools don’t usually allow resetting other diagnostic lights like the ABS brakes and airbag sensors. For this, an OEM-specific diagnostic tool would be necessary.
The fact that there are now numerous scan tools for car enthusiasts to choose from, familiarity is a must to get the best diagnostic tool available.
Bluetooth OBD2 Scanners don’t just make car owners more knowledgeable, but also save themselves from hefty charges during visits to car shops.