OBD For Car: Empowering Auto Diagnostics

Welcome to OBD for Car, your go-to resource for all things OBD2.

Whether you’re a professional mechanic or a DIY enthusiast, our in-depth product reviews, usage guides, and troubleshooting tips are designed to empower your auto diagnostic journey.

OBD2 Scanner

Product Reviews

Explore our detailed reviews and comparisons of the latest OBD2 scanners. From budget-friendly tools to professional-grade options, we provide unbiased reviews from professional mechanics to help you find the perfect tool for your needs.

Usage Guides

Master your OBD2 scanner with our comprehensive guides for beginners and experienced mechanics. Learn to decode OBD2 codes, understand live data, reset ECUs, check oil pressure and monitor fuel pressure, and more.

Troubleshooting

Our troubleshooting guides provide practical solutions to common OBD2 problems and DTC error codes, from understanding what the SRS light means and decoding the wrench light to fixing issues related to the electronic throttle control light.

About OBD: On-Board Diagnostics

What are OBD scanners?

OBD, or On-Board Diagnostics, is essentially your car’s way of communicating with you about its health. An OBD scanner is a tool that lets you tap into this conversation. If you’re curious about where the tech is heading, you might want to check out the rumors about OBD3 and its upcoming features.

What are the different types of OBD scanners?

Bidirectional Scanners: These aren’t your ordinary scanners. They not only receive information but can also talk back to your car, making testing and diagnosis even more thorough. Here are some of the best bidirectional scan tools I tested for 2023.

Bluetooth Scanners: These are modern, wireless, and super convenient. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, both FIXD and BlueDriver are solid picks. Dive into these top Bluetooth scanner recommendations to see what might work best for you.

I’ve got a light on my dashboard that’s bugging me. Can an OBD help with that?

For sure. Different lights signal various issues. If you’re dealing with the electronic throttle control light, here’s an in-depth explanation and fix. Seeing the SRS light? Here’s what it means and some handy repair tips. And if a wrench icon has got you puzzled, this guide will help you understand what your car is trying to tell you.

My OBD scanner isn’t communicating with my car. What should I do?

Technology can be finicky at times. If your scanner’s giving you the silent treatment, this step-by-step troubleshooting guide should help.

Do all cars have the same OBD port? Even, say, a Tesla?

While most modern cars are equipped with the OBD2 port, electric vehicles, like Tesla, might be a bit different. Here’s a detailed look at what Tesla models have on offer.

Meet the Team

Richard Gregson: Experienced Mechanic and Auto Enthusiast

Richard Gregson professional mechanic and auto enthusiast, founder of OBDforcar.com

Richard is a Florida-based car mechanic with a lifelong passion for engines. He started this blog to share his extensive knowledge in engine repairs, performance upgrades, brakes, suspensions, and electrical systems. When he’s not under the hood of a car, he’s cruising around town in his ’68 Chevy Camaro. Richard ensures that all product recommendations on this site are either personally tested or thoroughly investigated.

Vlad Stefanov: Specialist in European Cars

Vladislav Stefanov an author at obdforcar.com

Vlad has been working with cars since 2018, specializing in European brands like Mercedes, BMW, and VW. He has in-depth knowledge of various engines and started writing to fill the information gap about cars. His articles are a treasure trove for DIY enthusiasts, mechanics, and car lovers who prefer hands-on experience. Vlad’s mission is to turn car confusion into car confidence.

Together, Richard and Vlad bring a wealth of experience and passion to OBD for Car, ensuring the information you find here is both reliable and useful.

Discover more about their journey and expertise on our About Us page. If you have any questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Please visit our Contact Us page.

Latest Posts

How To Check Fuel Pressure With OBD2 Scanner (Step By Step)

how to check fuel pressure with obd2
In the past checking your fuel pressure was a relatively hard task to do and required quite a bit of knowledge and a fuel pressure gauge to get the right results. But with all the modern vehicles that are now on the market, the process became a lot simpler and does not require a mechanic … Read more

Best Bidirectional Scan Tool for 2024 [Tested By A Mechanic]

Best Bidirectional Scan Tool
As a mechanic with four years of grease under my nails, I know how tricky it can be to pick the right bidirectional scan tool from all the options out there. As a writer for ObdForCar, I perfectly know that. That’s why I’m asking you to stick with me through this article. And to be … Read more

10 Best OBD2 Scanner For BMW (All Models)

OBD2 Scanner For BMW
No matter what type of car you have, getting it serviced and repaired on time is what makes it run smoothly. While a lot of car owners out there don’t know how to take care of their cars, many depend only on the service centers. A little knowledge of car components and parts will help … Read more

How To Clear Codes With OBD2 Scanner? (Complete Guide)

Clear codes with OBD2 scanner
It’s annoying to see Check Engine Light, aka Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), on your car instrument cluster. Whenever any sensor detects any trouble with vehicle parts, your ECU (Engine Control Unit) stores an OBD2 code. If your Check Engine Light or MIL is triggered, it indicates some fault recorded by the ECU (Engine Control Unit). … Read more

How To Use BlueDriver OBD2 Scanner?

How To Use BlueDriver OBD2 Scanner
BlueDriver is a leading product in the Bluetooth OBD2 scanner category. It is a popular option amongst mechanics or DYI car owners as a budget-friendly diagnostic code reader. Read this guide if you’ve also ordered a BlueDriver scanner from Amazon but don’t know how to use it. If you haven’t purchased this scanner yet, read my in-depth … Read more

Can You Leave OBD2 Plugged In? (An Expert’s Answer)

OBD2 Plugged In
An OBD2 scanner is a diagnostic tool that reads codes from a vehicle computer. The car mechanics use professional-grade OBD2 scanners for doing in-depth analysis. But, there are many wireless OBD2 scan tools that can read basic problems in the car and SUV trucks. We plug the wireless adapter into the OBD2 port and connect … Read more

How Do You Fix OBD Communication Failure? (Step By Step)

How to Fix OBD Communication Failure
Suppose you inserted an OBD2 scan tool in your vehicle, but it doesn’t connect with your device. Sometimes, it happens due to OBD communication failure. If your OBD is also not responding/connecting, you can try these tips to solve the issue. In this guide, we will learn the reasons for unresponsive OBD and how to … Read more

How To Get ASE Certified in Brakes (Step By Step)

Get ASE Certified in Brakes
Do you want to get ASE certified in brakes? You should have at least 2 years of hands-on work experience to appear in the ASE certification examination in brakes. In this guide, we’ll look at the process to get ASE certified in brakes along with the required work experience and certification cost. What is ASE … Read more

How To Find ASE Certified Mechanic Near You?

Find ASE Certified Mechanic Near You
I’m sad to hear that your car is malfunctioning. Do not risk getting it repaired by an inexperienced mechanic. You invested hard-earned money in buying your car, hence only getting it repaired by an ASE-certified mechanic. If you don’t know how to find an ASE certified mechanic near your location, don’t worry, I’m here to … Read more

FIXD Vs BlueDriver: The Best OBD2 Scanner For You?

FIXD Vs BlueDriver
FIXD and BlueDriver are two of the most popular Bluetooth OBD2 scanners. Both can scan your car’s ECU for error codes and clear and reset MIL. FIXD and BlueDriver are relatively affordable options for DIY car enthusiasts and mechanics. Let’s find out in this comparison guide if they are worth your time and money! FIXD … Read more