There are still certainly mechanical aspects of the vehicle that can be easily diagnosed, but for most vehicles showing up in bays nowadays, the first tool you should be reaching for is a scan tool.
Of any tool category, diagnostic scan tools have continually and exponentially evolved into necessary products for any successful shop. Due to the overwhelming trend that continues to turn vehicles into “computers on wheels,” many shops need to have the capabilities to diagnose increasingly more areas of the vehicle.
While OE scan tools certainly have their place in some shops, it’s also imperative for aftermarket operations to have the ability to diagnose multiple vehicles with a single diagnostic unit. This is where aftermarket scan tools come in.
But which tool is right for you, or your shop?
The 2016 Scan Tool Spec Guide is an easy reference to compare multiple scan tools with similar functions between 24 total scan tool manufacturers. The guide is broken down into three sections: OBD-II Generic, OBD-II Enhanced and Heavy Duty.
As the trend toward increasingly complex and technology-driven vehicles continues, shops will need to keep up with the tooling required to diagnose these vehicles. The next several pages provide the most up-to-date product information for aftermarket scan tools available on the market today.
