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An OBD2 scanner that can read your vehicle’s trouble codes is a critical tool for DIYers. But even if you don’t like turning wrenches yourself, it’s hugely helpful to be able to get an idea of what’s going on with your car when the check engine light comes on—at a minimum, it can tell you if you need to stop driving immediately or can procrastinate the repair. One of my favorite tools for this job, the BlueDriver, is the cheapest I’ve ever seen it on Amazon right now.
BlueDriver OBD Scanner For $84.95 (29% Off)
There are a million OBD2 scanners on the market, but I like the BlueDriver because it’s particularly user-friendly for non-pros. And it lets you use your phone’s rich interface, rather than a tiny LCD screen, to get info. BlueDriver provides contextual information along with trouble codes, plus it’s wireless. Simply plug the device into your car’s diagnostic port (pretty much every U.S.-market car made after 1996 has one in the driver’s footwell area), Bluetooth it to your phone, and the free app lets your car talk to you. It’s compatible with iOS and Android; I use mine with an iPad because the screen’s nice and large.
If you’re willing to go deeper on diagnostics, BlueDriver can report some live engine data. But if you just need to know if your car’s about to explode or if you just have a minor issue, the app will tell you that in pretty plain language, too. As long as you have an internet connection, you can zoom straight from your trouble-code diagnostic to likely causes and repair suggestions.
It’s a great compromise between cheap, small OBD scanners and higher-end color-screen ones. I think I paid about $100 for mine a couple of years ago, the list price is $119.95, and if you grab this Amazon deal right now, you can pick one up for $84.95.
Pro tip for those who are really frugal: Many auto parts stores will read your engine codes for free. But that’s not always practical or convenient. The BlueDriver does a lot of what higher-end scanners can do at my lower cost since it uses your phone as the primary interface. And, as discussed, it provides some tips and insights to get your car working properly again.
If you prefer a wired device that’s self-contained and doesn’t require phone pairing, the Innova 5610 is also on sale (more money, but high-quality), as well as the Topdon AD600S (horizontal interface, wider screen).
Proven gear, crazy-good deals
