When working with auto maintenance, you’re
going to want to utilize OBDII scanners and adapters.
These are the options
that professionals use to figure out what is wrong with a vehicle.
Without
these devices, mechanics would have to apply a trial and error type of
diagnostics to figure out what is wrong with a car.
In the past, that was the
main thing that professionals had to do. However, today, with modern
technology, you can use a handheld adapter to get information overall.
When you
look into OBD solutions, you’ll find that diagnostic codes can be somewhat
confusing overall.
How
OBD Scanners Work
Before getting into what the codes that
come from scanners mean, and how to read them, you’ll need to know how the
devices work.
Scanners attach to the on-board computer systems that are found
in cars, and delivers data about the vehicle overall.
Car manufacturers after
the mid-1980s all started to work with computer systems, and elements that
control the way a vehicle moves forward. Everything is controlled by software
today.
OBD stands for on board diagnostics, and
it’s one of the main options that you’ll find in modern garages that fix cars.
You can purchase a scanner, application, or even software for your laptop to
get familiar with the issues that your car may have.
The information relays
from the on board computing and spits out a code that you can use to figure out
what is wrong with the overall system.
It’s like asking your car what’s wrong,
and getting an exact answer.
Just The Codes
When you purchase a OBDII option, you’ll
find that you will get data that is in the form of a code.
In the most basic of
solutions, you’ll find that you will get a simplified code solution, and
nothing more. However, higher end solutions will give you an overall code, and
definition.
Not only that, you’ll be able to look up codes and figure out what
you can do to fix the issue and repair everything correctly.
Assuming you were to purchase a lower cost
solution, you’ll find that you will receive just the codes, which usually start
with the letter P and the number 0 (P0).
These are generic overall, and are
often known as manufacturer codes. In that regards, you will need to look for a
repair manual that is specific to your make and model.
Without a repair manual,
your proprietary codes will not be easy to figure out. You’ll need to know what
they mean.
Getting The Manuals
There are two choices that you have in
regards to figuring out the codes for your car’s problems. You will need to
purchase a manual for your car’s make, year, and even specialty build.
There
are full manuals found online, and there are many options found through auction
sites, and even from the manufacturer themselves.
Finding the manual is going
to be critical if you are getting generic manufacturer codes from your
diagnostic scanner.
If you find aftermarket scanners that are
not from the manufacturer themselves, you may be able to get tutorials on how
to fix the problems with the codes.
These are often inexpensive, and are from
third-party solutions.
Example
of Codes and What To Consider
Each diagnostic code is meant to give you
information about what is wrong with the vehicle.
You’ll find that there are
several examples that you can work with, but the following can be one of the
common issues.
Let’s say you receive the code P0340 or
something similar. That is going to tell you that there’s something wrong with
the powertrain.
The letter P in the generic codes means that the powertrain
issue is the big issue. There are other digits that are generic, such as B, C,
and U.
Each of these first digits can refer to the body, chassis, and even the
network overall.
The second digit can mean a manufacturer
code, and the third digit can be specific to the area that the problem exists.
Not only that, you’ll find that the last two digits can be a fault code that is
in regards to your specific make and model car.
The
Two Types of Codes You Need To Know
Moving forward, you’ll find that there are
two major codes that you will need to know about in consideration of OBD
solutions.
It’s imperative that you understand how these work out, otherwise
you will not be able to apply a fix.
Diagnostic
Code Type 1
The first type of solution is in regards to
emissions, driving cycles, and freeze element from the engine to the scanner.
This will give you an idea as to what the bigger picture may be.
Diagnostic
Code Type 2
The second of the diagnostic codes is in
regards to emissions that are not necessarily related to pollution.
It also is
an issue that is in regards to failing cycles, check engine cycles, and failed
cycles through the turn over of the engine.
Categories
To Consider
As mentioned above, the code structure that
you will find can range from P0100 to P0999.
These examples are related to
common category elements.
The following elements are common with the code
categories between these numbers and examples:
Fuel
Metering
Air
Metering
Ignition
Systems
Engine
Misfire
Auxiliary
Emissions
Vehicle
Speed
Computer
Output
Transmission
Codes
These categories will start with a P0 and
then range from 100 to 999 overall. These are trouble codes, aka DTC.
These are
common categories with the digits and code list that you may see often.
However, you’ll have to double check with a common OBD code list and what they
mean.
Common code lists are found online, with
information on each and every code you may see.
Cars made after 1996 have
common options that you can learn about when you purchase an OBDII scanner and
then start using the appropriate OBD software.
Overall, this is not a difficult
thing to use or manage, however, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the
code structure, the code meanings, and manufacturer specific elements for fixes
that you may need to apply.
Every single car will have problems at one
point or another. Even if you were to purchase a brand-new vehicle today, there
is going to be an issue at some point.
No one wants to have to deal with a
problem, but it’s something that you cannot avoid over time. The older your
car, the more likely there will be a problem.
If you have purchased a vehicle
after the mid-1990s, and it’s a newer model, then you have something that many
others did not have in the past.
One of the biggest things that you will
discover is simple, every major company today builds cars with computer
elements inside of them.
These are not just to help manage gasoline, they are
made to help with performance, and efficiency in a lot of ways.
One of the things that you’ll be able to
use with your new car is simple, an OBD scanner. This is a solution that
mechanics connect to vehicles to diagnose problems with client’s vehicles.
It’s
something very important to consider. The reason why is because it will tell
you what may be going on with your car, if there’s a problem.
Even if you don’t
hear it, see it, or know what’s going on, you’ll be able to get a code to
understand what is going on.
With that in mind, you can’t just buy any old
scanner. You’ll need to purchase a good solution that will give you the right
diagnosis and code, which may be hard to determine without a few notes.
The
following will help you understand what you’re going to need to look into.
Don’t
Go Cheap
The first thing that you should look into
is simple, don’t go cheap. You cannot go with the lowest cost, simple,
beginner’s solution that may be available.
When you look online for OBD scanner,
you’ll find that there are a lot of scanners that you can purchase.
You could
purchase options lower than $100, or even $20 in some instances, and they can
work, but they will not have the most up to date data, and information.
This
includes the options that you may find for smartphones and tablets.
The first
major thing you have to remember, if you remember nothing else, is to spend a
little more on the scanner you want to work with. Do not purchase a beginner’s
option.
Look
For Up To Date Software
As you break down the options that you are
going to choose from, make sure that you look for the software elements of the
scanner.
You need to look for the softwarethat comes attached to the scanner,
and whether or not you can update it.
Updating it will give you new information
about your car, and more. You’ll find that if you can’t upgrade, update, or
advance your software, you will not be able to get the most in depth
information.
Determining the best solution for your car’s specific problems
requires up to date software solutions. If you go to the manufacturer’s
website, you will be able to read the latest specifications and dates of last
update.
Consider
Dealer Recommendations
In some instances, you’ll find that certain
car manufacturers will release a patch or an update for scanners. You can
purchase these if you look for recommendations online.
Look for dealer used or
recommendation options that will help you get the appropriate information for
your specific make and model.
Your car may have unique problems. It may be a
problem that dealership auto repair shops are working towards fixing, and
therefore will use scanners to figure out the specific fix etc.
You can get the
same scanner and information so that you can get a little more information
about the vehicle that you’ve purchased. This may cost a great deal, but it will
work well.
Look
Into Reviews
The next thing that you are going to want
to look for is simple, look for reviews that are in forums and car specific
sites. Look up the make and model of your vehicle, and make sure that you look
into what people are saying.
People are going to be talking about the car that
you have, and will talk about modifications, problems, and price points of the
different things that you’re going to be able to learn from.
Many people also
review scanners, and specific information on problems that some don’t pick up,
etc.
As you look online for OBD scanner solutions, you’ll find that there are
reviews out there on nearly every car, make, model, and scanner. Take your
time, and read what people have said.
Buy
Two Scanners
If you are torn between two scanners, and
both are promising to work well with what you have, then you’ll want to buy two
of them. Purchase two solutions and use them both to see what information is
going to get pulled.
You’ll find that by purchasing two options, you’ll see the
difference between the scanner. If both pulls the same data, then you can
always send one back and continue working with one option.
You may need to test
a couple of solutions before you get the “right” fix for your vehicle.
A lot of
the problems that are going to get diagnosed by newer scanners won’t get picked
up by older models, so keep that in mind. Purchasing multiple units and testing
them out can highlight the right solution.
As you can see, you’ll have to do a little
bit of research and work to find the right OBD scanner. Scanners today run the
gamut of inexpensive to expensive solutions as well.
There’s so much to
explore, including reviews, price points and more. Do not speed through the
process of purchasing a solution for OBD II solutions. Take your time, review
different models, and no matter what, don’t go cheap.
Beginner options will not
be able to pull the most information that you need, so make sure that you keep
that in mind as you look for the right solution for your specific make and
model.
Every car today has a specific tuning that a car manufacturer has. When you go to buy a car today the tuning of the engine and all of the parts are specifically calibrated for consumer use. They are set at their own standards, and they are referred to as stock. The computer that is within your vehicle will control how a car will run, especially if you just purchase an option from the dealer. If you are interested in changing the way that the functions work, you’ll need to alter the engine’s program, from the core computer system in place. If you have never looked into car tuning, or perhaps are unaware of how to get started, consider a few note son the basics so that you can work towards modifications on your vehicle.
You may hear car enthusiasts discuss the option of car tuning. It may also be known as engine, or Dyno, but either way it is an option that you have to control how your vehicle works, and runs. In order to do this, you’ll need to make sure that you work with your vehicle’s computer system. You may have heard of people upgrading their motors to work with turbo, and extra components that introduce faster speeds, and quicker turning ratios, as well as other component changes. In order to do this, you’ll need to work with changing the computer elements overall.
Why Do People Tune Their Cars?
The factory that makes your car will adjust the elements to specifications that the brand you are going to buy has. For instance, if you were to purchase a stock Ford Mustang, every vehicle coming from that factory will have the same specifications, no matter what. People change the tuning of their cars to ensure that the parameters shift to a better, faster, and more controlled environment. Whether you want more reliable performance, faster shifting, or you want to simply go faster, then you’ll be able to adjust things to your specific requirements. If you’re an experienced driver and you want to control the specifications of your vehicle, then tuning is the way to go.
When To Work With Car Modifications
Before you start looking at how to change how your vehicle runs, you’ll need to look at when you need to work with car tuning. You can work on it at any given time, but there are certain points that you need to adjust things outright. If you’re going to modify your car and update any components, you will need to modify your vehicle’s computer or you will have a seriously negative problem on your hands.
For instance, you’ll want to change the tuning if you’re going to add nitrous to your vehicle, a new exhaust system, intake tube, compression pistons, or even fuel injectors. No matter what major components you are going to update or change, you’ll need to make sure that you work with computer tuning. If you do not, expect your auto to break down and hiccup often.
Where To Start
Let’s assume that you’re going to want to start working with changing the programmingof your car’s computer. You’ll need to first consider which solution you’re going to use to change the mainframe. There are several engine management systems that you can purchase. The most common methods are varied, but you’ll want to work with what is known as a ECU engine program. ECU stands for engine control unit, and it’s a solution that can help you change how your ride works.
There are 3 major types of ECU solutions, and they each can work with different programs and computers that are within your make and model ride. These options include the modified stock ECU, ECU flashing, and Standalone ECU. These options each have pros and cons, but they are going to be needed to utilize to work with editing the way that you drive.
Using the OBD-II Scan Port
Let’s assume that you’re working on your car’s diagnostic, consider using the OBD-II scan port. Scannersthat work with diagnostics are sold in great numbers. The reason for this is because it helps with diagnosing problems with your car. Many cars have this port, and you can easily plugin a smartphone, laptop, and more. Using the scan port will let you change the way that your car works, and you can easily change the stock. You will not have to remove the ECU of your vehicle, mind you, you’ll have direct control of tuning through a variety of different points. This is an easy methodology to use because you can find open source tuning software online, and you won’t need to get secondary devices or attachments.
Finding A Control Unit
If you’re looking to purchase a solution that is going to let you work with car tuning, you’re going to need to look into a ECU engine programming device. You can use the scanner port, but the cost associated with EMS systems can run you anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more. The basic options, such as a universal solution can be a good starting point. However, if you want to create a high-performance change on your vehicle, you’ll need to spend a little more on a management system. In some instances, the more bells and whistles on the control unit you purchase, the higher the cost is going to be.
Take Your Time
As you explore different control units, and try to understand the basics of how tuning and ECU engine programming works, take your time. Learn how these work beforehand, read tutorials, and see videos on the matter. Once you feel that you have a handle on what you need to do, then purchase a control unit and work with tuning your vehicle’s elements. Once you master this, you can modify your car to run in any way you want, and without a negative issue arising. Once you modify things, however, you need to keep meticulous records, or you may end up causing more harm than good to the way your car runs.
Modern vehicles take a lot of expertise and
work to get fixed correctly. You may know a thing or two about fixing
automobiles, but you’ll find that you can’t just open up the hood and get to
work.
There was a time when you could do just that, but that’s no longer the
case. Modern vehicles have computer and electronic components that are
difficult to manage if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Furthermore, experts
utilize what are known as scanners, or readers to get diagnostics before they
even begin to work on your vehicle.
If you look online for OBD2 reader options,
you’ll find that there are a lot of solutions to consider.
Which ones are the
best to work with? That’s something that you’ll need to consider before moving
forward, and perhaps understand a few startling facts about how these readers
work and what they can, and cannot do.
Readers
Can Get Very Expensive
The first thing that you are going to find
out is simple, you could end up spending a great deal on a reader.
In fact, the
types that are used by major companies and mechanics could very well run you
tens of thousands of dollars.
You could end up paying 5 to 6 figures for an
expert solution that is made for your specific make and model.
Not everyone is
going to need to spend this much, but if you are serious about mechanical
repair, and you want to match the options that are used by professionals, then
this is going to be a solution well worth exploring.
There
Are Smartphone Solutions
Don’t want to buy a standalone reader?
Don’t want to invest thousands into a handheld solution? You don’t have to.
A
lot of OBD2 reader options today are found in the palm of your hand. The
options that you’ll find connect via Bluetooth and use a smartphone or tablet
are simple to use, and work just the same as many entry level options.
You’ll
find that this is a great option for those that are not sure how to work with
readers, or perhaps have never heard of them before.
Whatever the case may be,
you’ll find that these are great starter solutions to see what codes may come
up with scanning your vehicle’s problems.
Smartphone and tablet solutions are
intriguing, and definitely worth exploring for those that are looking for
smartphone compatible options.
Not
All Cars Are Compatible
Moving along, you’ll find that your car may
not be compatible with many diagnostic tools.
Not every single car out there is
going to be compatible with the diagnostic approaches and software options that
are available.
You’ll find that some cars only work with specific makes and
models overall. You could spend a great deal of money on an adapter, only to
find that your car doesn’t send signals, or doesn’t have the error codes that
you’re expecting.
Most cars after the mid 1990s are compatible with some sort of
scanner, but the software that some of the companies use may not be up to date,
or may not be part of the vehicle history that you’re looking into.
Just
because you purchase a solution, doesn’t mean that it is going to work with
your specific vehicle.
Professional
Mechanics Use Readers Daily
The next fact that may shock you is simple,
professional mechanics use OBD2 readers all the time.
In fact, most modern
mechanics learn how to use readers instead of just listening for problems. Many
of the most common problems with cars today require a simple reset of the
computer system inside the dash or under the hood.
The average individual
cannot go this route to fix things. Even though you could work with car tuning,
if something goes wrong, you may need to consult a good mechanic.
Good
mechanics today not only help with professional fixes, they use readers to
denote what exactly is going on.
You’ll find that the same thing you can get
the same information professionals get by simply using this diagnostic tool type.
However, the fix that they provide may be a lot different than what you may
know how to do, which is something that many people don’t take into account at
first glance.
You
May Have To Update Software Often
Many people spend a great deal of money on gadgets,
only to find that they don’t work. Before you get mad and throw things away,
you may want to know this simple fact, software needs updating.
Some of the
best readers are updated frequently, even multiple times a month in some
instances.
Whenever there’s an update, you may need to update your device to
ensure that you have the right information ready to go.
Most people don’t
realize that the design and electronic layouts in vehicles get upgrades
annually, and sometimes require new data overall.
If you find that you have
purchased a reader that doesn’t seem to work, double check the software, and
you may see that it’s well worth exploring.
Readers
Don’t Fix Anything
Consumers sometimes assume that they can
fix their vehicles by simply diagnosing their car with an issue.
Unfortunately,
even if you use a good reader, you will still need to have some expertise in
order to apply a real fix. Just getting the error code from your car’s system
will not help.
You will get a code, but if you don’t know how to alleviate the
root cause, you could end up having to spend a great deal of money to get a
real fix.
In the end, you’ll want to get codes and then share them with your
mechanic, so that you can get the right advice or fix applied.
Readers don’t
give you instructions as to how to fix errors or anything that your car is
going through.
Even the best options will still need a good mechanic to apply
the correct fix moving forward.
Without that, you’ll have nothing more than an
error code, and that’s not an easy thing to work with. OBDII Readers are great, but
they do not perform the work of a great mechanic.
Every car that has been made after the mid 1990s has an onboard system that helps mechanics and consumers locate major and minor car issues. This computer element is getting better all the time, and your modern vehicles are going to have expert created, programmed, and installed systems that manage everything about the car. If you're interested in car tuning, or perhaps you just want to fix your car when something doesn't seem right, you'll no doubt want to look into how the modern mechanic diagnoses issues. This is done through something that is known as an OBD2 scanner. If you were to look for OBD2 scan tool options, you'll get hit with thousands of options online. There's a lot of companies putting these out, as there is no “one” solution that works with every make and model. If you're in the market for one of these tools, you'll no doubt want some advice as to what to purchase. Looking online could be difficult, as there's so many options that come out. With so many solutions, it may be best if you simply consider a few rules of thumb on what to buy, and what may work best for you. By simply asking and answering a few questions, you'll find the best option may be the one that addresses your overall needs. The Basic Options The first thing that you need to do is simple, look for basic solutions. If you're not keen on fixing your car, or perhaps have never used an OBD2 scan tool, then it's important to get something basic first. By simply purchasing something that is basic, you'll be able to learn what the trouble codes are, and how they come out through the storage and data solutions. Basic options are inexpensive, and are sometimes able to work through wireless internet, and even Bluetooth. The basic solutions that you'll find can detect simple issues, give you codes to work with, and fix common car problems. Of course, this is going to lack bells and whistles, but it's something to consider if you're just starting out. Now, if you know what you're doing, or perhaps want something that is going to sense other options, then you'll want to get a professional, high end unit. Professional grade models can work with airbag detection, definitions, printing options, and real-time data protocol. You'll also be able to save data, and log in to see information about multiple VIN numbers if need be. These are just some basic options that go with the professional elements overall. They are a good solution to consider, and will help you narrow down the field a bit. Upgrading The Solution Moving forward, you'll find that OBD2 scan tools are either going to be stand-alone solutions or they are going to be upgradeable. Upgrading your solution is going to be one factor that you need to consider when purchasing anything. Do you want to upgrade your unit? Or do you just want something simple to use, that you will not have to worry about later on? If you want something simple, then you will not want to buy a high-end solution. Low cost, entry level scanners are going to be simple, and pre-loaded with software. You will not be able to upload or work with new software. They may even be locked, and limited in reach after you attach it to your vehicle's system. On the other hand, if you want to upgrade options, try new software, and make sure that every definition and code is up to date, you'll want to spend a little more. If you spend a little more, you may be able to download patches, upgrade software, and even use multiple software solutions. This is something that you need to consider moving forward with, only if you are going to be using your scanner for a long time. If you are just looking to test things out, and aren't going to be doing heavy work or car tuning, then you don't need to worry about the bells and whistles. Consider Compatibility Never buy anything without first checking to see the compatibility. Make sure you know the make and model of your car, as well as the VIN number. You will want to investigate the scanners that are 100% compatible with your car. Many scanner manufacturers will tell you that their option works with “most” cars. Well, that may be ok if you're going for a beginner's solution, but if you want something that is going to last, and will give you professional level results, then you will need to consider the compatibility of the option you want to buy. When in doubt, consider looking for options that are PC based, and can even work with Bluetooth and wireless internet connections. You can also use handheld solutions that can help you with options under the hood, if need be. The best solution is going to be the one that is easy to move, can become handheld, and is able to receive updates across several different platforms. One Car Or Two? Are you going to be working on just your own car? Or do you have several cars? By answering these questions, you'll be able to pick the right OBD2 scan tool for your needs. Professionals that are going to be working on cars for a living will want to pay for the professional, advanced solutions. Those solutions can easily run $10,000 or more, but they diagnose a plethora of problems, even obscure issues. If you don't want to spend that much, and you aren't a professional, you can always purchase a simple tool that is less than $1,000. At the end of the day, the above rules of thumb are going to help you pick the “right” solution for your needs. It will help you figure out which scanner is good for you, and which one will help you with the diagnostics your car needs. Take your time, read reviews, and make sure that you do not use haste in making your final decision overall.
VAG
is a system which helps car users scan their vehicles, identify the
problems and suggest solutions so as to make their vehicles error-free. If you want to keep your vehicle at its optimum condition, you should
have a VAG scanner in your possession.
In a hurry? Scroll below to VAG scanner reviews.
Features of a VAG Scanner There are many features associated with the use of VAG scanners, including:
VAG scanners and tools can be used with almost any VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat car model.
These systems are able to check the systems, identify the errors and eliminate them in an effective manner
Troubles related with generic codes of cars are eliminated with the help of VAG tools
Troubles related with diagnostic codes of vehicles are traced and solved by such systems
Many automated systems of vehicles can be controlled by such devices
Complete scans and scan reports are given to the users
Default values of vehicles could be adjusted to the required values
Present status of the vehicles is shown for checking
Clear screen for easy display of the important information
The system of such devices can be updated with the help of the internet
Accurate information is provided to the users
These devices can be used easily for fast performance
Linking with any computer is possible
Light is provided in the screen for ease reading of information
This device can work independently and the user is not needed to have a computer for normal working of this device
Warranty of one year is provided to the users on many systems of VAG
All products are available in the form of package
How VAG scanner works
VAG
is helpful to tune the vehicles without worries of breaking something or frying the chip. There are many models
and styles of VAG devices and you can choose one as per your needs.
Upon buying, you are just required to connect the device with the system
of your car and then the process gets started. This device will install
the software in the system of the car which will work for its tuning.
You
are not required to check the areas in your car manually, as this will
be done in an automatic manner. With your VAG device, you can see the
details about the working of your car on the computer screen (if it's a software based solution) or the actual screen of the VAG scantool.
When you will use
such a device, your car will be benefitted as the problems of it will be
checked and the possible solutions will be provided. Tuning of many
types of vehicles can be done easily with the help of such devices.
When
you have a VAG device, you are able to complete the process of tuning
in a short time period.
Just press some keys on the device, and your
tuning of vehicle will be started (like key programming is common request).
In this manner, your vehicle will
remain in normal working condition and the major problems will be
highlighted so that you can make plans or their elimination.
VAG Models and Styles
VAG scanner is available in different models and styles which addresses various VAG cars (Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda or Seat).
Some companies make the
basic device in the form of kits. These kits include all the cables
necessary for connections and scanning tools to make sure that users can
use them properly. It is necessary to have such kits in possession so
as to use VAG devices. Once such kit is RossTech VAGCOM - which we consider the best solution on the market.
You can have these kits and get a complete
package in which all the connection cables are included.
Manuals are
also provided to the users in order to help them in learning the use of
different things in the kit.
These devices are basically made to help
users in tuning of their vehicles. You are not required to check all the
parts of your vehicle manually which is hard and time-consuming.
Moreover, automatic systems in vehicles could be checked with the help
of VAG tools.
You are just needed to connect the wires with the
system of your vehicle and your device will start to work immediately.
A
software (VCDS) has to be installed to have easy communications with the
system of your car. You can use VAG devices with different types of
cars.
There are many types of cars with automatic functions which are
checked through these devices. Many professionals are using such devices
at their shops to check the vehicles and get detailed information of
problems.
Moreover, tuning of vehicles can be done at a fast rate
with the help of VAG devices. Different types of simple and complex
details about the vehicles are obtained by such systems.
Makers of such
devices charge different prices on the basis of items provided to the
users. You can check the kits and other things which are offered with
the basic VAG devices to make your selection.
Online modes are helpful
in choosing the desired devices which will be useful for you while
suiting your budget.
Special discounts are also provided by the makers
of these devices so that users with tight budgets can afford them.
Simple to use
VAG
devices come with a simple and user-friendly design for the benefits of
the users. Connections can be made through cables provided with these
devices and users are able to install the software in the system of
vehicles.
Many types of automatic vehicles can be checked and tuned with
the help of these devices. You are just needed to connect the device
with your vehicle system and the process can be started by pressing some
buttons.
Reliable and fast information about all the important
functions and systems of your vehicle will be given for the optimum
performance of your car.
Fast working
VAG
devices are especially made to work fast on the systems of cars. You can
connect your vehicle with such devices and press some buttons to start
working.
You will notice that these devices are fast in working and so
they are able to provide instant results. You are not required to spend a
lot of time in tracing the problems of your vehicle, as the hard job
will be done by the device in a short period of time.
Timely working and
detection and elimination of problems in many types and makes of
vehicles can be done with the help of such devices easily.
Updated procedures
The
software for VAG devices is updated automatically and you are not
needed to find ways yourself for updating it.
Manufacturers of these
devices have made it possible for the users to use the advanced systems
to help them in getting reliable support in this regard.
Your device
will be updated automatically through the internet, and the latest
diagnostic tools and protocols will be obtained which will be used for
finding and elimination of different types of errors.
All the procedures
related with your VAG devices are usually updated online automatically.
Schedule of working
You
can use your VAG device any time you want and make a schedule to make
sure you will check your vehicle without delays.
It is good to check all
types of vehicles on a regular basis to keep them free from any
defects. The problems in vehicles are often not checked and so many
unexpected incidents happen. That’s why it is good to use reliable
devices to check out your condition on a regular basis.
Choices for users
Users
of VAG usually have many choices as there are many types of these
devices on the market. A number of manufacturers are making and selling
these devices these days.
You can check the amazing features of these
devices online and find the best one as per your needs.
Generally,
the basic features of VAG devices are more or less same but there are
some differences in the advanced ones. The presentation of these devices
is also different from one another for the users to have many options. Benefits
There
are many benefits for the users of VAG systems. With the help of
reliable VAG tools, there is no need to get worried in this regard.
If
you find that some systems in your vehicle are not working normally then
you can check them with the help of VAG tools. These tools will work to
do proper scanning of your vehicle.
You will get a report at the end of scanning which will show the details of the problems and also the possible solutions.
In this manner, you will have options in checking and elimination of problems in your vehicles.
These tools are easy to use and methods shown to eliminate the problems are effective.
You can just connect the VAG tools to the system of your car and scanning will start.
Cables are provided to the reliable connections with the system of cars.
There are many cars which can be checked and corrected with the help of these tools.
Users are able to use these tools and improve their knowledge about working of their vehicles.
You
can have a schedule to check the vehicles in order to make sure that
these are able to work for a long time.
Before using your car, you must
check the vehicle through some VAG tools to make sure that the vehicle
is in a perfect condition.
Moreover, you can get such devices which are
able to improve working of your vehicle while remaining the cost under
your budget. Some Recommended VAG Vehicle Scanners:
There are many devices which use VAG tools for checking of vehicles, including the following:
RossTech VAGCOM & VCDS (#1 Recommendation)
RossTech based VAGCOM Cable and VCDS Windows software is certainly the king of VAG tools - which has been on the market for over a decade and survived the test of time of constant VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat vehicles updates.
Actually we believe most other VAG based tools are attempt to grab a piece of market share away from RossTech.
But VAGCOM is still king simply because it can both (1) do complete manufacturer system diagnostics, and (2) safely perform car modifications with one-click of a mouse button.
What's more, because VCDS is a laptop software, it generally means you'll have a lot more comfortable real estate worth of data to work with, verses handheld VAG tools which are limited to showing no more then 10-15 parameters at a time.
Here's a video review the VAGCOM unit in a very precise manner. We did the best we could to include the transcripts. They may not make sense, so just refer to the video...
Transcript of audio (not 100% perfect):
I'm going to be talking about the RossTech VAG-COM cable or VCDS is now known this cable is an invaluable tool when it comes to troubleshooting your volkswagen.
They can't tell you generic OBD2 codes. It can tell you specific codes for your car only it can aid in the troubleshooting process - and it is a very very useful tool if your Volkswagen.
Or they're just something that you pretty much if you have anything that is call it 93 or above you pretty much need one of these would be going to work on your car and maintain it for a long period of time.
Now Ross Tech was started in 1999 by you Ross and his wife and it comes in a couple different versions now there's a k2 USB which will do most cars up to 2003.
There is the USB hex cam which is what this version is and this version will do any Volkswagen audio ox go to a car on the market and then there is a lite version that I believe the license for that is like $99.
And it covers all the cheapo generic USB adapters that you find on eBay and then there was even the old old version 409 point 1 which is only for basically mark 3 cars and some of the earlier you know 92 or so jet as you could use that on it has its use but it's very limited.
Let me show you what some of those look like this is a genuine Ross tech unit and this this is a genuine Ross tech unit and this is a cheapo eBay one now they look about the same so you can tell they're both the same basic shape and this is the older years ago on eBay for like 25 bucks.
And before I even had this one I made my own and I used this in my 98 Jetta that I bought off a Craigslist for $300 as my first interface I was working as electronics technician as you can see I printed the circuit board out using opto isolator x' here that separated the car from the computer side and it's pretty jank that it works.
But there's a lot of fun and then I moved up to this one and as time progressed on I bought this one for my shop and it has saved me countless countless hours troubleshooting troubleshooting cars.
Know this cable has a lot of useful applications for your Volkswagen not only does it help you when you're trying to troubleshoot a problem it can help you while you're getting help.
There are a lot of times that if you just ask for hey my car is doing this what do I do especially on the vortex and TDI club and VW diesel.
People will ask you hey do you have a VAGCOM give us the full readout of what your car does and they can take that and look at it and kind of give you a better idea of what is going on with your car without that extra info.
You know it is a lot of times a whole lot bit more difficult to come up with what's going on it can also change settings on your cars it can change how your key fob operates you can change your daytime running lights it can change how your radio works.
Can change coding in your ECU like if you're doing an auto to manual swap you can change the instrument cluster with that if you are timing your diesel this is.
I have to have tool because you can see where your injection pump is at and be able to adjust that within spec if you are monitoring boost issues you can do that with this it just it really has lots of applications you can set service interval resets with this and you can charge your friends to use it.
There is a VAG-COM locator that you can find if you just google vcvs locator and it'll show you a list of people that are in your area of that comm if you have one like I do you can register for the list which I have and people around.
You can come and borrow it or you can charge them a couple of bucks to use it just as a service fee so theoretically you could make your money back on one's cables now this one himself was $350 I believe it might have been $400.
They have several different pricing options you can buy them with a limited of ten Vin's that is this work with but I suggest coating up I think it's an extra $50 to use it with unlimited bins kids I go through bolts wagons a lot and chances are you might - and it doesn't take any time to use up those ten bins or say you scan a car for a friend.
Or something like that so I suggest buying the unlimited bin version I also suggest buying this USB heck scan with the unlimited bins they have a wireless version I have not tested that yet.
So I can't really comment on that it seems to be working well for others but I kind of like this version mainly because it's the one I've used for ever and I haven't tried the other one yet but I have tried other was other Wireless troubling tools.
And I seem to like the cable once more mainly because you don't have to deal with connectivity issues and setting all that up it's just plug in and go this is the setup that I have for my shop it's just a simple cheap tablet but I bought purse I didn't buy and I traded it aboard.
I think I well I guess I did kind of buy it I traded a radio in 75 bucks for this it's just a generic Windows 7 tablet plug it into and sit in the car and everything works great you can do it on a laptop.
If you have the wireless version you can use a smartphone with it so RossTech is doing very good things when it comes to making it easier for everybody to use they have great support there is a dedicated forum for support for VCDs on the vortex you can find it just by going to the community forms.
There and other sites like VW diesel and TDI club have great support where the people that are work at Ross that also monitor those form and help provide customer support that way they are also very responsive if you contact them but they ask that you kind of.
Do your homework first which really isn't out of the question if you have a product as great as this that everybody used when they were having troubles you would be inundated with requests every day.
It's just stupid quite honestly if you call the number press option five that's a good one I like that one what I'm going to be doing on Vita the diesel one heater in the future is using VAD comm to show you how to make changes to your vehicles.
OBDeleven
Different types of benefits could be obtained with the help of OBDeleven which is
a modern and simple VAG tool. It is easy to operate this device, as it
can be directly linked with your smartphone.
This device can work in a
Bluetooth environment and check the vehicle to give details to the user.
You can buy the application online any time you want which will be used
for normal working of OBDeleven.
This VAG tool is very easy to
use and you can get the updated software to run it when needed. It is
free to get the application for this device; however, if you are looking
to get more advanced features then you have to spend some money on the
advanced applications.
You can enter and check the codes in this device
for free to get instant results. OBDeleven is known to work very fast
and you can get updated results on the screen to get details about the
working of your vehicle.
This VAG tool is simple to use
and many people enjoy using its free modes. Paid modes and applications
related to this device are also liked by some users, as these give more
benefits and present more features.
Different mods are available in
this device and users have the option of selecting the desired mods. As a
result, you can easily select the mods which are best for your vehicle
and use them to generate reports for getting details about the working
of your vehicle.
This device is also able to handle different
types of codes. You can check the codes supported by this device and use
them when needed. These codes usually cover all the important aspects
of vehicles and their issues.
OBDeleven is able to work with different
types of vehicles due to its advanced features and updated software. You
can also check the types of vehicles which are compatible with this
device.
This checking is necessary as it will help you make
selection of this device and use it for your precious vehicle with ease.
As mentioned earlier, this VAG tool is easy to be used and made in a
user friendly manner.
There are many features in this device which are
useful for the users. You can get the system of this device updated
whenever needed.
Automatic updates are also available to make sure that
the user is updated and can check their vehicles without any issues.
Details
of reports are shown to the users and problems with the probable
solutions are stated to help the users in keeping their vehicles in the
perfect form.
You will get a cable with this device which will be
connected to the system of your vehicle and also to the computer system.
This cable is able to communicate through the machines and generate the
reports. This report is helpful in checking the present condition of
your vehicle.
This VAG tool is high in demand these days, as it
can start working in a short period of time and users are able to get
reliable and accurate information about the working of their vehicles.
This device is effective for both personal and professional usage. You
can have this device to check the condition of your personal car.
You
can also use this device if you are a professional mechanic so as to get
the details of various types of vehicles and correct all types of
errors.
Xtool Vag401
Xtool Vag401 is an advanced form of VAG tool which is able to check the
vehicles and give all the details on a screen.
Simple faults are
corrected in the vehicles by using this system at a fast rate.
You can
use long codes in this device and check the progress yourself. You can
also update the software of this device in order to make it work more
effectively.
There is a list of systems in this device in which
you can make selection of the types you want to check. You can go
through all the systems one by one to make sure that these are free from
errors.
A list of basic systems is included in Xtool Vag401 to ensure
that the users will have normal working vehicles.
You can check
all the parts of your car which are not working properly. As mentioned
previously, this device will also generate a report after the screening
with solutions which can be used to eliminate the problems. In this
manner, you can use this device to eliminate many types of problems
present in your car.
Finally, VAG tools are high in demand these
days due to their beneficial features and they are being used on a large
scale in order to check out various types of vehicles. You can make
selection of the desired VAG tools so that you can use them when needed.
Some devices with these tools are simple while others are complex. If
you need to use such a device for personal purposes then you can get a
reliable and economical device.
On the other hand, VAG tools with
advanced devices are usually used by professionals who have to check
different types of vehicles.
When you have such a device at home, you
can check your vehicles easily and there is no need to find a reliable
mechanic who will work for you.
Make sure to check the details about a
few VAG tools before getting the best one at an affordable rate.
