For car enthusiasts and professional mechanics alike, understanding the health of a vehicle goes beyond just the basics. Modern cars are complex systems, and accessing their full diagnostics requires more than just a generic OBDII scanner. If you’re looking for the best scanner scan tool in 2017 to truly understand what’s happening under the hood, you’ll need to consider tools that can delve deeper than standard OBDII protocols.
OBDII scanners, especially inexpensive Bluetooth dongles paired with phone apps, are readily available. These tools are sufficient for reading basic emissions-related codes, which is helpful for many common issues. However, their capabilities are limited. They are primarily designed to access standardized OBDII data, and crucial information like oil level readings, which are often part of a vehicle’s proprietary systems, remains inaccessible. While an OBDII system might alert you to a faulty oil level sensor, it won’t provide the actual oil level. Brands like VeePeak clearly state that their scanners are OBDII-focused, highlighting these limitations. For comprehensive diagnostics, especially for systems outside of the standardized OBDII parameters, you need a more advanced scan tool.
Stepping up from basic OBDII necessitates investing in a scanner capable of communicating with a vehicle’s non-OBDII systems. A good starting point in 2017 for such capabilities was the Autel DiagLink. Typically priced around $90-$100, the DiagLink offered a significant step up in functionality. Its primary advantage at this price point was its ability to perform functions like resetting oil change lights and operating electric parking brakes – features unavailable in simpler OBDII tools. However, the DiagLink had a key limitation: it was designed to work with only one car brand. Upon purchase, you received software for a single brand, downloadable from Autel. While additional brand software was available for purchase, this single-brand focus was a crucial consideration. For someone dedicated to a single vehicle brand, the DiagLink presented an economical entry into more advanced diagnostics in 2017.
For those working with multiple vehicle brands, or anticipating future needs across different makes, the Autel MD806 emerged as a more versatile option for the Best Scanner Scan Tool 2017 consideration. Around the $200 price point, the MD806 offered multi-brand compatibility without the need for separate software purchases for each brand. While it’s believed to share similar internal hardware with the DiagLink, the MD806’s software package unlocked broader functionality. Furthermore, it came with “lifetime” software updates, a significant benefit, although “lifetime” in software terms usually refers to the product’s support lifespan, not literal perpetuity. Despite this caveat, the MD806 provided excellent value. It catered to a wide range of diagnostic needs for home users and even some professional tasks, striking a balance between capability and cost, making it a strong contender for the best scanner scan tool in 2017 for comprehensive automotive work.
In conclusion, when considering the best scanner scan tool for 2017, your specific needs dictated the optimal choice. For brand-specific advanced diagnostics on a budget, the Autel DiagLink was a cost-effective option. However, for broader vehicle coverage and future-proofing your diagnostic capabilities, the Autel MD806 represented a superior, value-packed investment for comprehensive automotive scanning in 2017.
