An OBD2 scanner, also known as a car scanner or OBDII scanner, is one of the most valuable automotive tools every car owner should have. The best part is, you don’t need to be a mechanic to learn how to use an OBD2 scanner like a pro.
Owning an OBD2 scanner gives you significant control over your car’s maintenance and can save you thousands of dollars in potential repair costs. With an OBD2 car diagnostic tool, you can:
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FEATURED IN
- Read and clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)
- Customize your car through coding
- Perform car repair and maintenance tasks
- Run an emission control test
- Check your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Detect potential mileage fraud
In fact, Carly users who perform regular car diagnostic checks end up saving up to $2,000 a year on repairs and maintenance.
Therefore, we will show you exactly how to use an OBD2 scanner so you can get the most out of your car and start saving money today.
Introduction to OBD2
OBD2, or On-Board Diagnostics II, is a diagnostic system integrated into modern vehicles. It allows access to a wealth of data from your car’s computer system. This system is crucial for monitoring and diagnosing your car’s health, providing valuable insights such as diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), vehicle speed, and other essential parameters. It uses a 16-pin connector, known as the OBD2 connector or Data Link Connector (DLC), to communicate with external testing equipment. Based on the CAN bus standard (ISO 15765), OBD2 is an indispensable tool for any vehicle owner, making car maintenance and repair more efficient and accurate.
What is an OBD2 Scanner?
An OBD2 scanner is a compact, handheld device. It typically consists of a 16-pin connector that plugs into your car’s OBD2 port. This scanner reads and allows you to access all the data from your car’s computer, presenting car data in an easily understandable format.
An OBD2 scanner functions through your vehicle’s OBD interface. OBD stands for On-Board Diagnostics. This interface stores a vast amount of information about your car from each Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
To access this information, you simply connect an OBD2 scanner to the OBD2 port in your car. Then, you can retrieve all the data the OBD device collects through an application on your smartphone or a dedicated scan tool.
The OBD2 Connector (Data Link Connector)
The OBD2 connector, also known as the Data Link Connector (DLC), serves as the gateway to your vehicle’s diagnostic information. This 16-pin connector is usually located under the dashboard on the driver’s side, often beneath the steering wheel or near the accelerator pedal area. There are two main types of OBD2 connectors: Type A and Type B. Type A is commonly found in passenger vehicles, while Type B is more frequently used in heavy-duty vehicles. This connector is essential for establishing effective communication between your car’s OBD2 system and external diagnostic tools, enabling you to access vital data about your vehicle’s performance and health.
OBD2 Signaling Protocols
OBD2 signaling protocols are standardized digital communication languages that facilitate data transfer between the vehicle’s onboard computer and external diagnostic tools. These protocols, such as CAN bus (ISO 15765), ensure that data is transmitted efficiently and accurately, providing real-time information about the vehicle’s condition. The standardization of these protocols ensures compatibility with a wide range of diagnostic tools and software, making it easier to access critical data like diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and real-time sensor readings.
OBD2 Parameter IDs (PIDs)
OBD2 Parameter IDs (PIDs) are standardized codes that allow you to request specific pieces of information from your vehicle through the OBD2 system. These PIDs cover crucial data such as diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), vehicle speed, engine temperature, and other important parameters. By using an OBD2 scanner, you can access these PIDs to gain a detailed view of your car’s condition, diagnose issues, and monitor performance in real-time. This information is invaluable for maintaining your vehicle in optimal condition and preventing major problems.
How to Choose the Right OBD2 Scanner
Choosing the right OBD2 scanner might seem daunting, but with a few key considerations, you can find the perfect tool for your needs. First, ensure the scanner is compatible with your vehicle’s make and model. A sophisticated OBD2 scanner should be capable of reading and clearing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), providing live sensor readings, and resetting the check engine light. Also, look for a scanner with broad vehicle compatibility and the ability to scan various modules, ensuring it works with a wide range of car brands and models. Consider ease of use and additional features that might be beneficial, such as the ability to perform emissions tests and access historical vehicle data. With the right scanner, you’ll have a powerful tool for keeping your car in top shape.
There are many different types of OBD2 scanners available, ranging from simple code readers to sophisticated vehicle scanning tools.
However, the right scanner for you will depend on the type and level of detail of the data you want to access about your car.
There are 3 key factors to help you decide which is the best scan tool for your car:
- Size and equipment you prefer
- Range of services offered
- Compatibility with your vehicle
1. Size and Equipment
OBD2 scan tools vary in the complexity of equipment required. If you’re looking for a small and handy tool, Bluetooth OBD2 scanners are an ideal solution. As wireless scanners, they don’t require any additional equipment, making them highly portable.
However, if you prefer a more professional diagnostic tool, such as a handheld diagnostic scanner or diagnostic software, these tend to be bulkier and might need additional equipment like a laptop.
2. Range of Features
Some scanner tools only provide basic diagnostic functions and generic codes. However, others offer more advanced features that any car enthusiast would love to have.
For example, with a basic scanner or code reader, you can typically only read diagnostic codes and perform basic functions like clearing fault codes (e.g., turning off the check engine light). However, more advanced scanners offer many more functionalities, such as professional vehicle insights, car coding, live parameters, and more.
3. Compatibility
Regardless of the scan tool you decide to use, some may not be compatible with your specific vehicle make and model. Additionally, if you are using a Bluetooth OBD-II scanner that comes with a mobile app, you must ensure the app is compatible with your phone’s operating system (Android or iOS).
There are many operating systems for OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) devices. Some of the popular operating systems include Android, iOS, Windows, and Linux. Each system has its own features and benefits.
How to Use a Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner in 3 Steps
Bluetooth OBD2 scanners are among the most convenient scan tools because they are portable, extremely easy to use, and provide valuable information. Being wireless, they do not need a connecting cable or additional diagnostic equipment.
Therefore, besides the wireless scanner, all you need is your smartphone. Through the scanner’s mobile app, you can view your car’s data on your smartphone whenever you want.
Here are 3 simple steps to follow when using the Carly Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner for the first time.
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Plug the Carly OBD2 Scanner into your car’s OBD port. Your car’s OBD-II port is usually located under the steering wheel or to the left of the accelerator pedal. This port is a small, trapezoid-shaped socket that allows the adapter to connect to all the ECUs in your car. You can find an OBD2 diagnostic port in most cars manufactured after 2001. If you can’t find it, you can check your car’s manual for the exact location.
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Turn on your car’s ignition. After turning on your car’s ignition, the OBD2 scanner will start receiving information from all vehicle systems and components.
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Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and open the OBD2 scanner’s mobile app. Make sure you have downloaded the mobile app that is designed to be used with your OBD2 scanner. In this case, if you are using the Carly Universal Adapter, you can download the Carly app on both Android and iOS devices.
Afterward, open the Carly app and click “connect.” This will establish a Bluetooth connection between the Carly Scanner and your phone.
Once the connection is established, you can officially start to gain more control over your car. A good way to start is to find out more about your car’s health and read trouble codes, such as the check engine light. Below are more things you can do with an OBD2 scanner on your car.
**FAQ about Leaving OBD2 Scanner Plugged In:**
**Can I leave the OBD2 scanner plugged into my vehicle’s OBD2 port?**
Yes. You can leave the OBD2 scanner plugged into your vehicle's port. It is completely safe to do so with quality scanners designed for continuous use.
**Does the engine need to be running for the OBD2 scanner to work?**
Yes. When running a diagnostic scan or checking vehicle parameters, your vehicle’s ignition should be turned on, and in some cases, the engine running for full data access.
**Does the OBD2 scanner cause any type of damage to the vehicle?**
No, however, some low-quality OBD2 scanners can potentially cause issues. A proper, high-quality OBD2 scanner and app should not damage your car’s systems. Even when customizing your car through coding, reputable apps offer the option to revert settings to their original state. Therefore, it is important to avoid purchasing counterfeit brands and instead buy a scanner directly from the original brand’s website.What Can You Do with an OBD2 Scanner?
Depending on the OBD2 scanner you purchase, you will have different features available, such as the ability to turn off the check engine light. Below are some of the key functions you can utilize on your car with an OBD2 scanner like the Carly Scanner.
OBD and Manufacturer Diagnostics: Read & Clear Error Codes
With the diagnostics function, you can read and clear basic OBD codes, which pertain to engine-related error codes. For example, you can monitor engine codes, such as the check engine light.
Furthermore, you can also read manufacturer-specific codes (also called diagnostic trouble codes). Manufacturer-specific codes are errors related to other systems beyond the engine, such as the ABS, airbags, brakes, transmission, and more.
By performing a diagnostic check, you will be able to see:
- All active codes in your vehicle (like warning lights)
- The severity level of the error codes
- The code definition to understand what they mean
- The overall health status of your car (determined by the number of issues present and their severity level)
By reading the error codes stored in your car’s onboard computer, drivers can quickly identify and address any issues that may be affecting their car’s performance. Moreover, these on-board diagnostics (OBD) can also provide valuable insights into a car’s fuel efficiency and emissions levels.
Additionally, with the Smart Mechanic feature available in some advanced scanners, you can access information that professional mechanics use through error codes.
For example, you can see a professional description of the code, get repair tips, and see predictive analytics about each error code. This is a great feature that will help you better understand fault codes and troubleshoot them on your own.
Coding: Customize Your Vehicle
Another feature that car enthusiasts love is coding. This feature allows you to activate or deactivate pre-set features in your car that are initially set by the vehicle manufacturer.
Coding your car is extremely easy with the intuitive user interface of scanners like Carly. Within the Carly app, you can see a list of all the coding options available for your car model.
With a single tap, you can unlock new functionalities in your vehicle. Furthermore, if you want to reverse the change, you can easily restore it back to the original settings.
Here are some of the popular car coding options:
- Disabling the automatic start-stop system
- Customizing welcome lights and daytime running lights
- Automatically locking doors when reaching a certain speed
- Raising or lowering car windows with the key fob
Live Parameters: Read Real-Time Data
Furthermore, if you want to know more about your car’s current condition, you can monitor live parameters or real-time data. For example, you can view temperature and pressure values, or check the turbo pressure.
This can be especially useful when fault codes, like the check engine light, appear and you want to understand more about your car engine’s parameters at that moment.
Used Car Check: Detect Mileage Fraud
The used car check function is very helpful if you are looking to buy or sell a used car. If you are a buyer, you can ensure that the car you are interested in has not been illegally manipulated and is not stolen.
If you want to check whether your car has been illegally tampered with, an OBD2 scanner like Carly will give you an accurate mileage report. This way, you can verify if the actual mileage of the car differs from what is displayed on its speedometer. If it does, you can be certain that the odometer has been tampered with and avoid purchasing that vehicle.
Guide to Perform Simple Maintenance on Your Own
Many times, we are charged for basic car maintenance and repairs that we can easily do ourselves.
The car maintenance function in some OBD2 apps provides clear guides to carry out your own basic maintenance tasks. Therefore, you no longer have to fully depend on your mechanic and can save more money.
Emission Test: Ensure You Pass the Emissions Test
Before going for the official emission test, you can perform your own test using an OBD2 scanner app to ensure you will pass. The app will scan all emission control systems in your car. Then, it will give you an overview of any emission controls that need repair. This way, you’ll know what needs fixing in your car to get it ready before the official exam.
Digital Garage: Access On-Board Diagnostic Reports
Having a history of your car’s on-board diagnostic checks is very useful for your mechanic.
Additionally, it can also be a valuable way to ensure your mechanic has not caused further damage to your car. All you have to do is perform a diagnostic check before and after you take your car to the mechanic. Afterward, if there is a new issue in your car, you can prove that it was not there before you took your car to the mechanic.
Learn How to Use an OBD2 Scanner and Become a Pro
After following the steps above, you now know how to use an OBD2 scanner and get the most out of your car. With your own Carly OBD2 Scanner, you no longer have to fully depend on an auto mechanic for basic diagnostics and insights.
Furthermore, you can gain access to advanced features that are offered by expensive scanners or sophisticated car scanning tools. Thus, instead of paying over $3,000 for a professional scan tool, you can get the Carly OBD2 Scanner for as little as $130.
In addition, Carly’s positive reviews have established it as one of the top-rated on-board diagnostic scanners available. So you can have the confidence that you are getting a great solution that will pay for itself from the very first use.
Having your own diagnostic tool is the best way to have much more control over your vehicle. So, are you ready to start using your own OBD2 scanner and take control of your car maintenance?
