| OBD scan stands for on-board diagnostics scan. It | | | | your car's fuel efficiency and engine emission status |
| was initially intended for the purpose of automobile | | | | making it far easier for you to pass any required test |
| emission tracking in order to enforce vehicle emission | | | | emission standards. |
| standards. They are in wide use to day and have far | | | | Most ODB II scanners can then be connected to a |
| more capabilities than that of the initial devices of its | | | | computer via its serial port to generate a more |
| kind. Most of today's handheld ODB scanners are | | | | comprehensive analysis of your car's condition. There |
| hand-held devices which features OBD cable that | | | | data such as engine temperature, speed, tachometer, |
| plugs in to your vehicle's computer. They are capable | | | | oil pressure and more are all analyzed in order to give |
| of conducting detailed diagnostics of a vehicle's engine. | | | | you a solid idea about what may be going on with the |
| Basic ODB scanners or more specifically OBD II | | | | vehicle in general. It also saves you time and the hassle |
| Scanners are only capable of its functions when used | | | | of inspecting parts that may totally be unrelated to the |
| in an OBD II compliant vehicle. | | | | trouble. There are two basic types of ODB II scanners |
| OBD I vehicles refer to any vehicle made before the | | | | in wide use today. The most expensive of which are |
| year 1996 before a uniform set of diagnostics system | | | | those incorporate functions to analyze ODB I |
| was set in place for all new vehicles manufactured. | | | | Compliant vehicles and are used mostly by |
| OBD I vehicles are not compatible with most ODB | | | | sophisticated vehicle repair facilities. |
| Scanners due to the fact that the codes and systems | | | | Whether you work on vehicles as a profession or you |
| used were unique to its manufacturer. | | | | are vehicle owner considering yourself as a DIY |
| Obdii code reader of today have proved invaluable to | | | | mechanic, the ODB II scanner and automotive repair |
| many vehicle owners and mechanic today. Its | | | | manuals are an indispensable device for your vehicle. |
| capability of retrieving data from a vehicle's diagnostic | | | | Gone were the times that you had to peer inside the |
| computer had allowed repairs to be done accurately | | | | engine and meticulously inspect sections of the vehicle |
| and more efficiently. Once it is plugged in, it displays live | | | | just to diagnose the source of the problem and |
| data about the engine's condition as well making it | | | | knowing what the problem is, is always a good way to |
| possible to conduct a comprehensive step by step | | | | start. |
| analysis of the engine. It may also be used to monitor | | | | |