OBD2 Scanner - Scan Tools for Check Engine Light

The introduction of On-Board-Diagnostics or OBD2 in cars has made it a necessity for every car owner to own an OBD2 scanner or code reader. A good OBD2 scanner will help you know how the car is doing and check car health and identify the fault code to determine the size of the issue and take informed decisions.

OBD2 scanners come in different types and levels. The most basic are OBD2 Engine Code Readers. These types of OBD scanners give access to the Engine/Fuel/Emission system including all sensor clusters within that system. They maybe not the best option for you if you need to have access to other systems, but they can be the best OBD scan tool option if you want to scan the engine system and check live data for quick health check diagnosis. They are also the best scan tool you can buy if you are a beginner so you can learn more about how OBD scanners work.

In Australia, OBD2 system did not start until late 2006 with some vehicles before and after this date. There's no specific date or rule on determining if your car uses a standardised OBD2 protocol or not. However you can check our list here which will help you learn more if your car is OBD2 compatible in Australia.

Engine OBD2 scanners can also come with different features. The ability to perform Mode6 diagnosis, screen colour and size, buttons quality and number of modes are all factors you need to consider when looking to buy engine OBD2 scanner for cars.

Unlike engine OBD2 scanners which can scan Engine only sensors, multi system OBD2 scanners can scan other systems in the car. Throughout the car are various computers called electronic control units, or ECUs. Each one is designed to control sensors within a system like Engine, Transmission, Body, ABS etc. And then they all report to the Control Area Network (CAN). So depending on the level of access you require in an OBD2 scanner and what kind of vehicle coverage you need, selecting the best OBD2 scanner for you need will help you save money and get the job done without having to go through the frustration of buying several OBD scan tools to realise every time that you bought the wrong one.

OBD2 scanners are not like any other electronic device. There's a lot of complex compatibility, functions and features that can be different from one car to another.

So when you are looking to buy the best OBD2 scanner for cars, consider to buy from a local reliable distributor who specialises in the trade. Most big retailers and online marketplace sellers will not understand the nitty witty details behind the functionality and will only advise you to buy from a limited option they offer.