



Diagnostic Scan Tool – A Must-Have for Every Car Owner

A diagnostic scan tool is something that most car owners simply cannot do without these days. Automotive scan tool help you fix globally cars and faster. Carman is a world leader in advanced aftermarket automotive diagnostic scanner. Up until a couple of decades back, it used to be found mostly in commercial garages and workshops. These days, however, pretty much every other car owner has one and the reasons are not hard to find automotive scan tool.

The Need for Diagnostic Tools

There are two important reasons why many car owners are equipped with a diagnostic tool.

Advanced Automobile Technology

Cars these days are highly advanced in terms of technology. You no longer can pop the hood open to find out what is wrong with your car. Most of the systems in your car are controlled by an onboard computer, which is what you need to check in the first place if there is something wrong with your car. Using an automotive scan tool, you can easily connect to the computer and find out what the problem is.

Great Way to Save Time and Money

A scanner can save you a great deal of time, effort, and money. Back in the old days, you had to take your car to the nearest workshop to even diagnose what was wrong with it. The whole process was lengthy, laborious, and not to mention the fact that it cost you money, as you had to pay the mechanic to take a look at your car. Now, with a scanner, you can simply scan your car’s entire system, diagnose the problem, and also find out how to fix the problem in a jiffy.

This is a huge advantage, especially in a country like Australia, where the car is the primary mode of transportation for a majority of people. As a car owner, you cannot rush to the mechanic every time there is a problem with your car.

Firstly, it takes time. Secondly, and most importantly, you need to remember that many mechanics charge hefty fees for diagnosing and fixing a problem, no matter how minor it is. With a scanner, you can diagnose the problem and if it is a minor one, you can fix it yourself or take care of it later without having to spend money right away.

The Way It Works

An automotive diagnostic scanner is a handheld tool, which can be connected to your car’s onboard computer. Once connected, it accesses the car’s onboard computer and tells you if there is any problem with your car. The problems and faults are displayed in the form of codes. The automotive diagnostic scanner tool usually comes with an instructional booklet or manual, using which you can interpret the codes.

Alternatively, you can also do an online search to find out what the codes mean. Once you know what exactly the problem is, you can decide on the next course of action – whether to fix it yourself or take it to a workshop.

Choosing the Right Diagnostic Scan Tool

You can find a large number of diagnostic tools on the market today. So, choosing one can be a difficult task. To make your job easier, here is a small list of factors you need to consider while choosing a scanner.

Functionality and Features – Some tools only give you a list of error codes whereas certain advanced tools can give you the error codes as well as suggestions to fix the problems. Depending on your needs and budget, you need to choose one accordingly.

Ease of Use – Make sure the tool is easy to use and comes with an instruction manual that is easy to understand. There is no point in spending money on a tool that is too technical for you to use.

Compatibility – Make sure the tool is compatible with your car. Certain diagnostic tools are incompatible with certain brands and makes of cars.

Upgrade Facility – You should be able to upgrade the tool online as and when needed. Whenever there is a new update for the scanner, you should be able to download it and upgrade your device right away.

Bells and Whistles – Lastly, look for the additional features that can extend the functionality of the tool and make it more useful. It is compatible with your smartphone? Does it offer Bluetooth connectivity? Can it check your car’s emissions and tell you if your vehicle would pass a smog test or not? Does it have the ability to record and play back data? These are all questions you need to ask while looking for a top notch automotive scan tool.