For car owners and DIY enthusiasts looking to delve into vehicle diagnostics, the OBD2 system is your gateway to understanding what’s happening under the hood. While basic tasks can be addressed with simple, budget-friendly tools, accessing the full spectrum of your car’s computer systems requires a more robust investment. In 2018, and still relevant today, understanding the landscape of OBD2 diagnostic tools is crucial for effective car maintenance and repair.
Simple Bluetooth ELM327 dongles paired with phone apps, often priced around $13, offer a starting point for OBD2 diagnosis. However, their capabilities are inherently limited to standard OBDII data. These basic tools won’t access non-OBDII systems, meaning they can’t provide readings for everything – for example, directly reading oil level (though they can report issues with the oil level sensor if it’s part of the OBDII fault codes). Brands like VeePeak explicitly state that their entry-level models are confined to OBDII scanning. For deeper diagnostics, especially those involving systems beyond the standardized OBDII protocols, you’ll need tools designed to communicate with your car’s broader network.
Stepping up from basic OBDII scanners, the Autel DiagLink emerges as an entry-level option for more comprehensive diagnosis, typically priced around $90-$100. A key characteristic of the DiagLink is its brand-specific nature. Each unit comes with software for a single car brand, chosen by the user upon setup. This software, downloadable from Autel, unlocks advanced functions beyond basic OBDII for that specific brand. The DiagLink’s strength lies in its cost-effectiveness for owners dedicated to a single car brand. It can perform tasks often unavailable in cheaper scanners, such as resetting oil change lights or setting electronic parking brakes into service mode – features valuable for DIY maintenance on supported brands. While expanding its brand compatibility is possible through additional software purchases (around $10 per brand), its primary appeal is for single-brand users seeking deeper diagnostic capabilities without a hefty price tag.
For those working with multiple car brands, or anticipating future vehicle changes, the Autel MD806 presents a more versatile solution. Priced around $200, the MD806 broadens diagnostic reach across multiple brands without requiring separate software downloads for each. While it’s speculated to share hardware similarities with the DiagLink, the MD806’s software architecture is designed for wider compatibility and typically includes lifetime software updates (though “lifetime” usually refers to the product’s support lifespan, not literal perpetuity). The Autel MD806 stands out as a strong value proposition for home users and DIYers needing multi-brand diagnostic capabilities. It bridges the gap between basic OBDII readers and professional-grade tools, offering a comprehensive feature set at a reasonable price, particularly for those who anticipate frequent use across different vehicles.
Choosing the “best” OBD2 diagnostic tool in 2018, or even today, depends heavily on your specific needs and budget. For basic OBDII fault code reading, a simple ELM327 adapter might suffice. However, for deeper diagnostics, accessing non-OBDII systems, and performing tasks like service resets, tools like the Autel DiagLink (for single brands) and MD806 (for multi-brands) offer significantly enhanced capabilities and remain relevant choices for car enthusiasts and DIY mechanics seeking effective and reasonably priced diagnostic solutions.
