There was a time when you would have to take your car to a mechanic every time something went wrong.
Any little thing would need a professional to look into it, and fix the issue overall. That’s something that has changed in many ways, especially with the growth of technology.
Tracking these changes, you may want to go back to 1996. It’s then that the EPA put out a mandate that cars had to change the way that they were made. That made all manufacturers upgrade the electronic components in vehicles.
That focus has left many options for consumers, as they could purchase readers to isolate problems and apply fixes to their cars overall. That change led to the creation of onboard diagnostic readers.
These readers pull data from the ECU of a vehicle, and tell the user codes that can be then deciphered in order to figure out what is going on with a car. It makes repairing things a lot easier.
If you are going to spend money on purchasing one of the many automotive code reader options, you’ll need to know a few tips and tricks to narrow down the search.
Consider The Age of Your Car First
Before getting into the different readers and options you can look for, make sure that you note the age of your car.
If it’s a vehicle that was made before 1996, chances are you’re not going to get a diagnostic solution to work.
If your vehicle has been made after the EPA initiative, then you can use a reader. Older cars have a different element in them, and most mechanics that have been trained on newer model changes, may not be able to use the same tools to fix older vehicles.
It’s a big difference that most people don’t realize, until they bring their cars to a garage, and the diagnostic element changes outright. The age of your vehicle matters greatly.
The Basics Work
Moving forward, as you look online for automotive code reader solutions, you’ll find that there are basic level solutions that are inexpensive.
These can be well under $50, for instance.
They are handheld solutions, or options that are wired with USB and go to a computer. These will give you generalized codes that start with a letter, and then go for 4 to 6 digits.
For instance, you’ll find codes that look similar to the following structure: P0999 – P9000.
These codes denote whether something is wrong in the engine, the exhaust, of other areas of the vehicle.
The basic options do not give you insight into what the codes mean, they will not have additional text, they will only display the code, and it’s up to you to decipher the issue and figure out what is going on.
To be fair, these work. Basic, entry level readers are what you want to start with. Don’t spend a lot of money on options unless you know how to use them, and have used options in the past.
If you’re new to this, then go with an entry level option and figure out the codes, etc. You will find that this is a great entry into car maintenance and fixes outright.
Manufacturer Specific Solutions
Some car brands have their own proprietary software and readers. For instance, you may look for VAG-COM, which is meant for all vehicles that are made by Volkswagen Group.
You could use a generic OBD-II device with them, mind you, but you will not be able to pull all the information that you want from the vehicle, nor will you be able to change the tuning of the car at all.
It’s really limited, unless you purchase their specific, proprietary reader.
The same goes for other car brands, so you’ll need to look into which solution works for your specific, make and model.
For purchasing proprietary solutions, you’ll need to expand your budget a little, because it’s going to cost you a little more for these specific options overall.
Portability and Data Relay
As you narrow down the options that you want to purchase, you’ll find that mobility is going to be something to consider.
Portability is a good thing, because it will help you get the information that you want, while moving around your vehicle.
In the past, options that would scan diagnostics would only work if you were to attach the device to the ECU adapter and keep it in place.
Today, there are some options that work with Bluetooth, and Wireless Internet. There are also options that you can connect remotely with laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
If you want to use options that allow you to be more mobile, you’ll need to make sure that they are compatible with the connections that you have. If you do not want mobility, then at least go with a solution that is USB.
The Price Tag of Readers
Avoid making the mistake of going with price alone. Many people find out that automotive code readers can get quite pricey, but that doesn’t mean that they are necessarily better than others.
You could spend a thousand dollars on a solution, and find out that the software hasn’t been updated in a long time.
You could also spend $50 on an option, and find out that it works extremely well for your particular vehicle. It’s for that reason that you should look at a variety of different readers, and compare different price points.
Set a budget, and then read the raw specifications of the readers that you want to invest in.
Once you compare the specifications side by side, you’ll be able to make an educated decision on which is going to be best for your vehicle.
At the end of the day, in order to purchase a good reader, you’ll want to take your time.
Read reviews, look at warranty information, and make sure that your car can use a generic OBD-II device.
Otherwise, you’ll have to purchase a proprietary solution that is made for the specific make and model car that you’re driving. Take that into consideration, and you’ll no doubt find the right option.
