Features & Benefits
● Works
with all 1996 and newer vehicles that are OBD2 compliant(including CAN)
● Reads
and Clears generic and manufacturer specific Diagnostic Trouble
● Codes(DTCs)
and turns off check engine light
● Supports
multiple trouble code requests: generic codes, pending codes and
● manufacturer
specific codes
● Reviews
the emission readiness status of OBD monitors
● Determines
the malfunction indicator lamp(MIL) status
● Retrieves
VIN(Vehicle Identification No.) on 2002 and newer vehicles that support Mode 9
● Easy-to-read
backlit 2-line LCD display
● Easy
to use with one plug-in
● Stand-alone
unit with no need for an additional laptop computer to operate
● Small
in size and conveniently fits in your palm
● Safely
communicates with the on-board computer
● Free
CD software with over 7000 DTC definitions
● No batteries needed-powered
via detachable OBD2 cable
Will it work on my Car ?
In 1996 in the
United States, a Federal Law came into force requiring all US-sold cars to be
OBD2 compliant. Most OBD2 tools are therefore advertised as working with all
cars from 1996.
The OBD2 Federal
Law applied only to cars sold in the US.
In the UK and the
rest of Europe, our equivalent law (European On-Board Diagnostics, or EOBD) did
not come into force, and more importantly, was not fully implemented by our car
manufacturers, until 2001 for petrol cars (2003/4 for diesels).
Due to this it is
difficult to know exactly what European vehicles are OBD2 compliant before the
above dates and we recommend checking with your dealer before purchasing
equipment for cars manufactured before 2001 Petrol and 2004 Diesel.
All Cars sold from
2008 use the CAN-Bus protocol.
What good does it do to measure OBD-II output?
OBD-II signals are most often sought in response to a "Check Engine Light"
appearing on the dashboard or driveability problems experienced with the
vehicle. The data provided by OBD-II can often pinpoint the specific component
that has malfunctioned, saving substantial time and cost compared to
guess-and-replace repairs. Scanning OBD-II signals can also provide valuable
information on the condition of a used car purchase.
Tell me about that "Check Engine Light".
The service industry calls the Check Engine light on your dash an "MIL" or
Malfunction Indicator Light. It shows three different types of signals.
Occasional flashes show momentary malfunctions. It stays on if the problem is of
a more serious nature, affecting the emissions output or safety of the vehicle.
A constantly flashing MIL is a sign of a major problem which can cause serious
damage if the engine is not stopped immediately. In all cases a "freeze frame"
of all sensor readings at the time is recorded in the central computer of the
vehicle.
Hard failure signals caused by serious problems will cause the MIL to stay on
any time the car is running until the problem is repaired and the MIL reset.
Intermittent failures cause the MIL to light momentarily and they often go out
before the problem is located. The freeze frame of the car's condition captured
in the computer at the time of the malfunction can be very valuable in
diagnosing these intermittent problems. However, in some cases if the car
completes three driving cycles without a re-occurrence of the problem, the
freeze frame will be erased.
OBD-II and your car's health
Because of their investment in the equipment required, most repair shops charge
a fee, some-times substantial, to attach the scanning equipment and diagnose
problems using the OBD-II system signals. Home mechanics and small shop
technicians have been restricted from working with these signals by the cost and
technical complexity of the equipment. With the introduction of more economical
and user friendly scanning devices, it is now practical for almost anyone to
access OBD-II signals and use them for their own testing and repairs.
Scanners vary greatly in their complexity. The best connect easily and use
software to quickly and automatically call up the OBD-II information. They
should have recording ability so that data can be collected during a test drive
without distracting the technician driving the car. A system connecting to a
laptop or desk top computer provides expanded memory for data and the ability to
export data to a spreadsheet or graphing utility.
