Do-It-Yourself (DIY) solutions are the ultimate resort to save money and learn more about one's vehicle. Car care and a journey for routine check-ups are already expensive. ODB2s are the DIY solution one needs especially during this pandemic when people are advised to avoid going out to public settings.

Car Mechanic
(Photo : Pixabay)

Drivers should atleast have the basic knowledge for car maintenance and care. This promotes hands-on approach that can save the hassle of calling for towing trucks when getting stuck due to an unusual break down. There are several ways to avoid this, and that is the regular trip to the mechanic.

Below are drivers' essential needs for DIY solutions:

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ODB 2 Scanners: For All Your Mechanic Needs

Engine Bay
(Photo : Unsplash)

Several tools can help in diagnosing problems and determining the needed upgrade from its systems. The famous ODB 2 or ODB-II scanner, which stands for "Onboard Diagnostic II," can primarily help with DIYers and aspiring car mechanics in the detection of hidden car problems.

Gone are the days when mechanics would spin the car around to determine the problem, having less accuracy and precision in telling where the "feel" came from. The ODB2 scanner can pinpoint exactly where the problem is, saving time, money, resources, etc., in taking the car apart.

Why are OBD 2 Scanners Important and What Are its Benefits?

  • Diagnose Problems Accurately - Onboard diagnostic scanners help in pinpointing several problems accurately, without the unreliable sense or feel that a mechanic checks when looking at an engine bay or test driving the car. The scanner can accurately determine what makes the car malfunction or what causes its problems. Most service centers or shops have their own ODB2 scanners, and this helps them look at the car's problems easily. Who says that ODB2 scanners are only for mechanic shops? Having one at home can prevent unfortunate break downs and accidents that may occur when a car goes unchecked.
  • Saves Time - Time is one of the most important elements in one's life and cannot be taken back once spent. Being ready for anything can save time, and that includes the unfortunate breaking down of cars in the middle of a drive to a certain place. Not only will car break downs halt your travel to a destination, but it would also hassle one of calling a tow truck, bringing it to the shop, fixing it, and waiting for the vehicle to be ready. ODB2 scanners can tell you what you need to know ahead of time, making you aware if the car is in good condition for use.
  • Saves Money - Everyone wants to save money, and there is a saying that goes "prevention is better than cure." ODB2 scanners are like the little prevention tools for your car that can tell whenever something would soon break or in the danger of failing. When a certain system or component in the vehicle breaks down, it would be more expensive to replace or repair them.
  • Records numerous information - ODB22 scanners can perform as log books that can store and record your car's diagnostics to a smartphone application or even computers. This would help you determine which parts or systems need immediate attention and which can wait. Through this, you can evaluate and schedule the repairs or maintenance your car needs for optimization, and even give you the allotment to save for a certain repair.
  • Change Settings and Functions of Vehicle - Thinking of tweaking your car? ODB 2 scanners can help in changing several settings as it hooks itself to a car's systems and computer that controls several functions of the vehicle. Modern vehicles are heavily reliant on the car's computer system and would only be tuned through the help of a computer hooked-up directly on its CPU.

Top 5 Best Onboard Diagnostic Scanners of 2020 (ODB-II)

thinkcar Bidirectional Bluetooth ODB2 Scanner - Best Overall New Technology with Smartphone Application

thinkcar Bidirectional Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner
(Photo : Amazon)

Thinkcar offers one of the latest ODB2 scanners among this list, bringing a wireless connection that can pinpoint the problems of the vehicle under minutes. The technology contributes to scan all the systems present in the car, including the ABS, Power Steering, Fuel System, etc. Thinkcar's ODB2 Scanner is affordable and can connect to Android or iPhone smartphones through an application.

Price: $99.00

Check-out thinkcar's Bidirectional Bluetooth ODB2 Scanner on Amazon.

Bafx Products Wireless Bluetooth ODB2 Scanner - Most Affordable ODB2 Scanner for Android

Bafx ODBII Scanner
(Photo : Amazon)

Bafx is one of the most reliable ODB2 scanners on this list which most mechanics and DIYers trust. The only negative feedback on this scanner is that the Bluetooth only works for Android phones and Windows computers. Bafx's ODB2 scanner promises that it can detect all problems and engine alerts, along with a "Read & Reset" function for the check engine light. The app also notifies users in real-time whenever it detects problems.

Price: $21.99 (save $3)

Check-out Bafx's Wireless Bluetooth ODB2 Scanner on Amazon.

ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal ODB II Scanner - Classic Design and System with Easy Integration

ANCEL AD310 ODB2 Scanner
(Photo : Amazon)

Ancel's ODB II scanner is not a "leave-on" scanner and would not connect via smartphone's Bluetooth or WiFi applications. It comes with a handheld diagnostic tool with a screen that will display all detections and assessment of the vehicle once hooked into the system. Ancel's OBD II scanner is a "plug-and-play" system that does not need to be charged and would record the logs it has diagnosed on one's car.

Price: $34.98

Check-out ANCEL's AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal IBD II Scanner on Amazon.

FIXD ODB2 Professional Bluetooth Scan Tool & Code Reader - Best "Leave-on" for Android and iPhone

FIXD OBD2 Professional Bluetooth Scan Tool & Code Reader
(Photo : Amazon)

FIXD ODB2 Scanner is one of the most top-rated tools that users can leave on their engine bays and have real-time updates and diagnostics even while on the road. FIXD also offers smartphone integrations for both Apple and Android Operating Systems via Bluetooth and a smartphone application. The ODB2 scanner is also one of the widely-used systems across the country that can easily determine the "trouble codes" from the engine.

Price: $59.99

Check-out FIXD's ODB2 Professional Bluetooth Scan Tool & Code Reader on Amazon.

BlueDriver Bluetooth Pri ODBII Scan Tool - Best Interactive Data with Exclusive Features

BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro ODBII Scanner
(Photo : Amazon)

BlueDriver offers one of the sleekest and most easy to use ODB2 scanners in the list that offers smartphone integration via Bluetooth and application for both Apple and Android phones. The BlueDriver promises interactive data along with its specific accessories that work exclusively with each other, offering a premium scanning experience like no other. The app can present live data through graphs and other forms, to help in understanding the numbers better.

Price: $99.95

Check-out BlueDriver Bluetooth pro ODBII Scan Tool on Amazon.

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Written by Isaiah Alonzo

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