For car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, understanding your vehicle’s health is crucial. While basic OBDII scanners paired with phone apps have their place, they often fall short when it comes to accessing the full range of data available in modern cars. If you were in the market for the Best Car Scanner 2018, you likely discovered that for comprehensive diagnostics, especially for systems beyond standard OBDII, you need to invest a bit more.
The limitations of simple, low-cost Bluetooth ELM 327 dongles quickly become apparent when you realize they are primarily designed for OBDII systems. Features like reading oil levels, for example, are not part of the standard OBDII data set. While an OBDII system might report a fault in the oil level sensor, it won’t provide the actual oil level reading. Manufacturers like VeePeak clearly state that their entry-level models are confined to OBDII scanning. To truly delve into your car’s diagnostics and access non-OBDII communication, you require tools capable of speaking to the broader computer network within the vehicle, similar to professional systems like VIDA/DiCE.
At the more affordable end of advanced scan tools, options like Autel’s DiagLink were noteworthy in 2018. Priced around $90-$100, the DiagLink offered a step up in functionality. However, it came with a significant limitation: it was designed to work with only one car brand out of the box. You received one “free” brand-specific software package, which needed to be downloaded and installed onto the device before use. If you owned vehicles from multiple manufacturers and wanted to utilize the DiagLink’s advanced non-OBDII capabilities across different brands, you would have to purchase additional software licenses from Autel for each brand.
Despite this brand-specific limitation, the DiagLink presented a compelling value proposition, particularly if you were committed to a single car brand for the foreseeable future. For its price point, it offered functionalities often absent in comparable devices, such as the ability to reset oil change lights and retract electronic parking brakes for service – features that are invaluable for DIY maintenance and repair. While additional brand software licenses were relatively inexpensive at around $10 each, it was a factor to consider for multi-brand users.
For those needing multi-brand coverage in their best car scanner 2018 search, tools like the Autel MD806 emerged as strong contenders. Around the $200 mark, the MD806 provided a significant leap in versatility. While internally similar in hardware to the DiagLink, the MD806’s software was designed to support multiple car brands without the need for separate software downloads for each. Furthermore, it typically included free software updates for the “lifetime” of the product. It’s important to understand that “lifetime” in software terms usually refers to the expected support period for the tool, meaning updates might not be available indefinitely, especially for older units many years down the line.
Nevertheless, the Autel MD806 stood out as one of the best values in scan tools available in 2018. It provided a comprehensive set of features suitable for most home mechanics and car enthusiasts, without the prohibitive cost often associated with professional-grade equipment. Its ability to access non-OBDII systems across multiple brands and perform functions like oil service resets and electronic parking brake servicing made it a worthwhile investment, especially for those who perform regular maintenance or diagnostics on multiple vehicles. When considering the best car scanner 2018 for comprehensive capabilities and value, the Autel MD806 was a top recommendation for many.
