In this case, TOAD stands for Total Onboard Auto Diagnostic, and it’s a tool that everyone can use, from beginners to veteran mechanics. Simply put, this is the ultimate OBD2 diagnosis software.

Most standard OBD2 scanners won’t be able to tell you what the computer is saying, meaning that newer cars can miss out on some of these features. The second digit (either 0 or 1) relates to whether it’s a general issue (0) or a manufacturer specific problem (1), while the third corresponds to the specific system with the issue, such as the ignition, and can be either a number or letter.Put simply an OBD system, or on-board diagnostic system, is an on-board computer fitted to your engine that monitors the performance of your car, including its ignition, engine, gearbox and emissions system.

This little tool is specialized for Audi/VW, so we are pretty sure it will work well on VAG vehicles. Complete OBD2 modes: It supports 10 OBD2 modes, therefore, you’ll be able to read live O2/EVAP sensor data, vehicle info, freeze frame, component test, on-board monitor test, etc. As mentioned before, all this happens in fractions of a second! Additional information on the process The Ancel BD310 doesn’t automatically detect your car’s VIN, and there’s no way of adjusting the brightness of the screen, but, that said, the price includes a vent mount, a warranty and lifetime customer service, which makes it very good value. We’re also satisfied with its ability to scan trouble codes from all car systems (other universal scanners don’t). And speaking of speed, it only took us 6 seconds to scan all 14 systems on the car we tested.

Want to identify your car’s faults quickly and easily? An OBD-II device might be just what you need

To ensure you have a proper understanding of what your car’s DTC means, you might want to get a professional’s opinion, either from one of the RAC patrols or by taking your car into a local garage. This means that you get an overview of the vehicle’s health and not just a massive list of error codes. The app uses traffic light colors. If a green bar is displayed, your VW is healthy and everything is fine. If it’s orange, something is wrong, but nothing serious. On-board diagnostics evolved. Quite simply, OBD-II – also known as OBD2 – is a more advanced, more sophisticated version of the relatively short-lived OBD system. Crucially, OBD-II is now the standard access point in every new car and van sold. Can I damage my car with an OBD-II scanner? Ease of Use – This is particularly important for those who don’t have a ton of mechanical knowledge. We accounted for whether these diagnostic scanners are user-friendly and easy to understand. Overview of the Best 3 VW Scan Tool and Audi Scan Tools

If all is well with your vehicle and no warning lights active, you may still want to read the fault memory for preventative and control purposes. So, it may be worthwhile to invest in the self-diagnosis avenue and save workshop visit time and cost. For passionate petrolheads, the larger investment in a high-quality device is worthwhile if they plan to utilize the enhanced features on offer, such as coding. If reading out errors determines that a repair is necessary, a direct route to a workshop is a viable alternative, as long as necessary repairs are to be carried out at that workshop, as the diagnostic costs may be offset as a result. When Is a Workshop Visit Inevitable? One of the primary selling points for this system is that you not only get the scanning tool that plugs into your car, but you also get a tablet with a large LED screen and built-in apps to help you monitor your vehicle. But what are these systems and what do these codes mean? Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about OBD codes.Now that the bus knows its destination, it travels to the ECU for the RPM and retrieves the desired value there. As we mentioned, most OBD2 scanners are rather limited. With the DS808, however, you can truly dig into the vehicle's issues with full on-display data about every little bit. Next, I measured the cord's length on the handheld scanners and the wireless range on the others. With the car running, I monitored the engine and other vital systems, and then disconnected the engine's oil temperature sensor. It also is compatible with many VW models including, Golf, Jetta, Passat, Sharan, Tiguan, Touran, Audi, and more. When it comes to code readers, there are a number of options available in the market. Choosing one of them can be really tiresome. Therefore, you should look for a few features in any product. This will not only ease your decision-making, but will also result in the best product for you. Brand