What You Didn’t Know About OBD Scanners

You may be familiar with an OBD scanner as the device that a technician, mechanic, or other professional in the automobile industry used to diagnose malfunctions in a vehicle – it enables them to interpret those vague dashboard lights and much more. But did you know there are different types of OBD scanners? Or their uses other than diagnostics? Keep reading to find out what you might not have known about OBD scanners.

Different Types of OBD Scanners

You may already  know about the difference between obd1&2 scanner models – that OBD1 is the older model only compatible with older cars (manufactured before 1996) and that OBD2 is the new model. But did you know that there is also a wide range of OBD2 scanners? The basic models are only able to run diagnostics that are related to the check engine light. More professional models can scan a variety of systems within your car, and even perform other tasks that are not strictly diagnostic in nature. 

Other Functions Of OBD2 Scanners

One of the more useful functions of professional, high-end OBD2 scanners is that they can be used to test different sensors within a vehicle. This can help mechanics and technicians further pinpoint the malfunction without the need to dismantle the car. Obviously, this feature is not found in the basic OBD 2 scanners, because not everyone will need (or know how to) use such an advanced feature. 

Another feature that is available in OBD 2 scanners in different ways is that it can be used to turn off certain indicator lights. This is a trick used by many used car salesmen (and people selling their cars) to make it appear as if the car is in pristine condition – no warning indicators flashing. Of course, this means you shouldn’t trust the dashboard lights of a used car you are interested in. Most people who are experienced in buying and selling cars will tell you to always get the vehicle you are interested in checked by a professional, and let them run an OBD scanner to show you any hidden malfunctions that the car may have. This information can be used to bargain a better price, and can also help you get a clearer picture of what condition the vehicle is in before you make a purchase. 

The Bottom Line

OBD scanners are a great tool that are used by professionals and amateurs alike to troubleshoot a variety of problems that a vehicle might have. They perform more than just a troubleshooting function, because more advanced models include extra features such as sensor activation for testing and multi-system scanning. Some models even provide detailed results instead of simply giving results in the form of a code that needs further interpretation. 

Anyone that deals with many vehicles, whether professionally or on an amateur level; can benefit from owning this device. If you don’t want to make the investment, then you will still need to pay a technician to use their own scanner on your vehicle from time to time.