Monday 28 August 2017

The Three Key Benefits of Using a Diagnostic Scan Tool

If you were to conduct a poll among car owners in Australia as to what they think is the most essential tool for automobile care and maintenance, the diagnostic scan tool would definitely be among the most common replies. What exactly does a scanner do and why is it considered a must-have tool for automobile owners? Let us take a look.

The Purpose of an Automotive Scan Tool

A scanner, to put it simply, makes it easier for you to diagnose the problems with your vehicle. Many of the systems in your car, as you probably already know, are controlled by an onboard computer with a built-in diagnostic system. Whenever there is a problem with your vehicle, the computer generates an error code and warns you of the same by flashing the ‘check engine’ light.
Diagnostic scan tool
The primary duty of an automotive diagnostic scanner is to connect with the onboard diagnostic system, access the error code, and display it. Once it does, you can find out what the error code stands for and the source of the problem – either by checking the reference manual or via the internet.

The Benefits of Using the Diagnostic Scanner

Saves Time

How many times have you had to take your car to a workshop just to find out what the problem is? It could be a minor problem, but you still need to go to a mechanic shop to get it diagnosed. It takes a lot of time, but most people in the country have no choice as the car is their primary mode of transportation and they depend on it for their daily commute to work. So, the moment the dreaded ‘check engine’ starts flashing, most people’s first instinct is to get their car checked by a mechanic.

With a diagnostic scan tool, you can do it on your own and save yourself a trip to the nearest mechanic shop. You can find out what the problem is and then decide if it serious enough to warrant a trip to the workshop.

Saves Money


This is basically an extension of the aforementioned point. Every trip to the workshop costs you money. Many times, the problem could be so trivial that you could have fixed it yourself or it never needed your immediate attention in the first place. Still, you end up spending money just to find out what it is, which is unnecessary spending to say the least. By investing once in a decent quality scanner, you can avoid all these unnecessary trips to the workshop and save lots of money in the long run.

Peace of Mind for the Owner

Not knowing what is wrong with your vehicle can be incredibly frustrating and stressful at times. Whether you depend on your car for your daily commute, planning a road trip with your friends, or a pleasure trip with your family – in each of these scenarios, a vehicular malfunction could totally screw up your plans. In some other cases, there might be an emission inspection due and you know you will not pass it unless you do something about the ‘check engine’ light that is flashing like a danger signal.

In such cases, having an automotive diagnostic scanner with you can be incredibly beneficial, as you can figure out what is wrong with your car in a matter of minutes. Once you know what the problem is, you have plenty of options – if it is a trivial one, you do not have to worry about it and get it looked at later. If it is a minor one that you can fix yourself, you can do it as well. You need to go to a mechanic only if the problem is a major one and you do not know how to fix it yourself. It is any day better than not knowing what is wrong with the vehicle in the first place.

Choosing the Right Tool

The diagnostic scan tool, as you can see, is incredibly useful and highly functional. If you are a car owner, there is no better tool to have with you when the warning light comes on. There are many different types of tools available and many of them are affordably priced, so you should have no problem finding one that meets your needs and budget.

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