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 If OBD Is Ready? (And how to fix it)

OBD2 scanning
After 1996, the OBD2 integration became mandatory for all cars manufactured in the United States. With the OBD2 system, your vehicle performs eleven diagnostic checks for various components such as fuel economy, transmission system, emission system, vehicle speed/idling control, engine misfire, etc. All these diagnostics are performed by sensors attached to the various parts of … Read more

Best OBD2 Scanner with ABS Auto Bleed – DIY

Best OBD2 Scanner with ABS Auto Bleed
You probably already have a bi-directional OBD2 scanner with ABS bleeding, SRS, Oil reset ECU programming, and other advanced scanning features if you’re a professional mechanic. If you’re not a mechanic and looking for the best OBD2 scanner with ABS auto bleed for DIY repairs, then this guide shall be helpful for you. All professional-grade … Read more

OBD1 Vs OBD2: What’s The Difference? (Full comparison)

OBD1 Vs OBD2
The history of Onboard Diagnostic is very interesting. The OBD evolution took too long. If you want a full comparison between OBD1 Vs OBD2, then this guide is for you. If you’re reading about OBD-I Vs OBD-II, it means you already have basic knowledge of it. If you don’t know anything about the onboard diagnostic … Read more

What Type Of OBD Is My Car? Let’s Find Out!

What OBD is My Car
Only OBD1 and OBD2 are being used in the automotive industry. If you don’t know which type of OBD is in your car, read this complete guide. This guide will clarify everything about OBD1 and OBD2. You’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages of both types of OBD. Also, we’ll learn the easiest method to detect … Read more

Best Bluetooth OBD2 Scanners – Top Picks

Best Bluetooth OBD2 Scanners
Are you looking to shop for a Bluetooth on-board diagnostics scanner for performing vehicle diagnostics work exceptionally? It is an exceptional tool using which you can save hundreds of dollars. Whether you want to read DTCs or find reasons why MIL is triggered, this tool can be handy for various purposes. The availability of the … Read more

How To Become ASE Certified Mechanic (5 easy steps)

Become ASE Certified Mechanic
In this fast-growing automobile technology, ASE certification is important to gain customers’ trust. Nobody wants their expensive car repaired at a non-experienced mechanic shop. That’s why everyone prefers an ASE-certified mechanic to get the problem fixed. ASE is the short form for National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. It has become a symbol of trust … Read more

How To Check OBD Codes Without Scanner?

Check obd codes without scanner
If your Check Engine light or MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) is glowing, you can check the engine faults with the help of an OBD2 scanner. But what if you don’t have an OBD scanner and want to check the OBD codes. You can still read the OBD codes without a scanner. There are two easy … Read more

How To Use OBD2 Scanner? (5 easy steps)

How to Use OBD2 Scanner
All new car models are coming with advanced sensor systems. Everything in your car is being controlled by sensors. These sensors detect engine trouble and any malfunctions in your car. All these sensors are controlled any an ECU (electronic control unit). If any sensor detects any trouble in your car, it sends information to ECU … Read more

Bluedriver OBD2 Scanner Review – Is It Worth It?

BlueDriver Review
BlueDriver is a popular wireless OBD2 scanner that supports all cars and trucks made after 1996 in the USA. But is BlueDriver worth the investement when other popular scan tools like FIXD and Carly are available at much lower prices? Read my unbiased BlueDriver review before buying that. We’ll compare the features of the BlueDriver … Read more

How To Use Autozone OBD2 Scanner?

How to use AutoZone OBD2 Scanner
AutoZone is one of the biggest automotive parts sellers in the USA. They have approx 6000 outlets across the country. Instead of DIFM (Do-It-For-Me), they offer DIY (Do-It-For-Yourself) to save the mechanic cost. However, they also offer free OBD2 scanners in their outlets. In addition, AutoZone also offers a wide range of auto parts and … Read more