Getting your car repaired at a shop can be pricier than expected and a bit of a chore. But if you know what you’re doing, you can save a ton of money and trouble by fixing your own vehicle. One of the most important tools you can have in your toolbox is a good scanner that can help you diagnose your vehicle’s problems and get it back on the road. And when it comes to affordable scanners, Ancel diagnostic tool is one of the best.
How do you use diagnostic tools?
The company makes a variety of different models, but their cheapest one is the AD310. It offers all of the basic OBD2 modes and is great for finding out why your check engine light is on. It also ranks faults based on importance and shows “freeze frame” data, which gives you a snapshot of what was going on in the car when the code first flashed.
For those looking for a little more power, the AD410 is an upgraded version that provides all of the same features at a slightly higher price. It can also be connected to a computer for firmware and software updates, so it’s always up to date with newer vehicles. And its large 2.4-inch color display is more visually appealing and easier to read than the AD310’s.
If you’re a professional auto mechanic, this is probably the scanner for you. It can connect to your vehicle’s ECU via Bluetooth and can pull codes from four major systems, including the engine, transmission, anti-lock brake system (ABS), and supplemental restraint system (SRS). It can even perform some special service functions like airbag reset and reprogramming.
