For those extra functions, which include retracting the parking brake for pad changes, cycling the ABS module for brake fluid flushes, and many other systems including airbags and even audio, you need a high-end scanner like the Autel or Foxwell scanners listed. While the OBD II system is standardized, modern vehicles have added far more functionality that can't be controlled by a basic scanner. A code is not a replacement for proper diagnosis, just directions on where to start. A bad O2 sensor code, for example, could be a problem not with the sensor or with the catalytic converter, but with a fuel injector leaking slightly and delivering too much fuel. Common codes include oxygen sensor trouble codes, mass airflow sensor codes, and cylinder misfire codes.Ĭhecking codes before taking your car to the shop is a good place to start, but it is not a guarantee of what is causing the problem and what needs to be repaired. That will give you somewhere to start your diagnosis. It gives basic trouble codes that can help you to figure out why your BMW isn't running right, and it can also give you real-time and recorded information about how the vehicle is running.Īll vehicles have this system, so all can give you basic check engine light information through a scanner. OBD II, for Onboard Diagnostic System Version II, has been standard on all vehicles sold in the US since 1996. The Performance Monitor system will even record your laps and store up to 10 individual runs.įeatures: Gives multiple pages of gauges, can scan, and reset MIL While not intended for track use, the extra sensors and gauges could also be handy for a BMW that's about to be driven hard on closed-circuit conditions. That can help you to drive more efficiently if that's something you're looking to do.

It can also show you your instant and short and long-term fuel economy. It can show you things like coolant temperature, transmission temperature, and horsepower in real-time. That's because while it can show you diagnostic trouble codes like the other scanners, its primary purpose is to act like an extra set of gauges for your vehicle. While most are designed to be used only when there is a problem, the ScanGauge is designed to stay connected to your car at all times.

The ScanGauge II is a little bit different from other OBD scanners on the market.

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