The Car Scanner ELM OBD2 app for iOS offers a comprehensive suite of features for vehicle diagnostics, performance monitoring, and trip computer functionality. Utilizing a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 4.0 (Bluetooth LE) OBD2 ELM327 compatible adapter, the app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a powerful car analysis tool. This review will delve into its capabilities and why it’s a contender for the best scan tool app on iOS.
Car Scanner ELM OBD2: In-Depth Features
Car Scanner ELM OBD2 boasts a wide range of functionalities, surpassing many competitors in the App Store. Here’s a closer look at what it offers:
Customizable Dashboard and Data Logging
The app allows users to personalize their dashboard with preferred gauges and charts, displaying real-time data from various sensors. You can monitor engine RPM, speed, coolant temperature, fuel consumption, and much more. This customizable interface allows for a tailored user experience, focusing on the data most relevant to you.
Enhanced Diagnostics with Custom PIDs
Beyond standard OBD2 data, Car Scanner supports custom PIDs (Parameter IDs). This feature unlocks access to manufacturer-specific data points usually hidden from the average user. Gain deeper insights into your vehicle’s performance and potential issues.
DTC Code Reading and Clearing
Like a professional scan tool, Car Scanner ELM OBD2 can read and reset Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). A comprehensive database of DTC descriptions helps you understand the meaning of each code, enabling quicker diagnosis and repair. The app also provides access to freeze-frame data, capturing the sensor values at the moment a DTC was stored.
Emission Test Readiness and Sensor Monitoring
Determine if your vehicle is ready for emissions testing with the built-in readiness checks. The app monitors relevant sensors and provides a clear indication of your vehicle’s compliance. Furthermore, you can view the status of all sensors on a single screen for a comprehensive overview of your car’s health. This feature is invaluable for pre-inspection preparation.
Vehicle Compatibility and Specific Profiles
Car Scanner works with most vehicles manufactured after 2000 that adhere to the OBD2 standard (some models as early as 1996 may be compatible). The app offers specialized connection profiles optimized for various makes and models, including Toyota, Mitsubishi, GM, Opel, Vauxhall, Chevrolet, Nissan, Infinity, Renault, Dacia, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, and BMW. These profiles provide access to enhanced features specific to each manufacturer.
Additional Features: HUD, Acceleration Tests, and Trip Computer
Beyond core diagnostic functions, Car Scanner offers a Heads-Up Display (HUD) mode for projecting data onto your windshield, a tool for precise acceleration measurements (0-60, 0-100, etc.), and trip computer functionality for tracking fuel consumption statistics.
Choosing the Right OBD2 Adapter
Car Scanner ELM OBD2 requires a compatible Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 4.0 OBD2 ELM327 adapter. Recommended brands include Kiwi 3, Viecar, V-Gate, Carista, LELink, and Veepeak. Avoid cheap, generic adapters, especially those marked as v2.1, as they are known to have connectivity issues and may negatively impact vehicle performance.
Conclusion
Car Scanner ELM OBD2 is a powerful and versatile car diagnostic app for iOS. Its extensive features, customizability, and broad vehicle compatibility make it a strong contender for the best scan tool app available. While a one-time purchase or subscription unlocks all features, the free version still provides substantial functionality. Remember to use a quality OBD2 adapter for optimal performance and reliable connections.
