Lemur Car Displays BlueDriver Professional
professionals and cons Execs Simple to make use of Full of options No subscription Common app and firmware updates Cons Small and straightforward to overlook! Not low-cost in contrast with another OBD dongles
Automobile troubles are by no means enjoyable.
However info is energy and may imply the distinction between your automobile being off the street for a number of days when you anticipate repairs or doubtlessly having the ability to do a fast repair your self and get again on the street quick.
Trendy vehicles are good at figuring out when one thing is unsuitable and can often swap on the dreaded test engine mild to warn you.
However what causes this mild to be illuminated?
Now, you’ll find out earlier than you even go to the mechanic. With the proper device, your smartphone can discuss to your automobile and inform you.
Enter the BlueDriver Professional. It’s good for individuals who need to diagnose what’s up with their automobile, and at the moment it’s presently 17% off at Amazon for $100.
Keep in mind to unplug your BlueDriver dongle when finished!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Notice: I’ve had my BlueDriver dongle for just a few years, and the newer variations look just a little completely different, however functionally they’re the identical.
That is tiny Bluetooth dongle by Lemur Car Displays is an OBD2 diagnostic scan device and code reader that connects to the automobile’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port and can be utilized to learn hassle codes and likewise view stay information about your automobile’s engine, transmission, and different methods.
The method is actually easy.
You purchase the BlueDriver dongle, obtain the app for iOS or Android, pair it together with your smartphone, after which plug it into your automobile’s OBD port and begin studying information.
The primary hurdle that many individuals have is discovering their automobile’s OBD port. It is often beneath the dashboard or glovebox.
If you cannot discover it, you may test your proprietor’s guide, or Google for the reply.
Right here I am connecting the BlueDriver to a 2021 Kia Stonic. This automobile does not have any issues (at current!) however I will use it for instance for this evaluation.
First I play “Hunt the OBD port.”
Hunt the OBD port… oooh, a clue.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
There it’s!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
With the port discovered, I join the BlueDriver to the port.
The BlueDriver dongle plugged into the OBD port.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Now I can swap to the app and begin to collect information.
Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Reside Information can provide entry to a complete raft of details about the automobile’s methods.
The BlueDriver Reside Information choices.
Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The app permits you to graph the information in numerous methods.
Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
If the automobile has the test engine mild illuminated, the BlueDriver software program can present you what the difficulty code is, and past that, it might inform provide you with info on when the automobile gave that warning, referred to as Freeze Body information — helpful info when attempting to diagnose an issue.
Freeze Body would present this information if there had been an incident.
Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
A robust characteristic of the BlueDriver Professional is that you simply get free updates, and there is not any subscription to pay to entry your automobile’s info.
Checking for updates to the BlueDriver. Notice that it should be plugged right into a parked car.
Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
You can even get entry to restore studies detailing attainable fixes for hassle codes, however this characteristic doesn’t appear to be out there within the UK so I have not been in a position to take a look at it, though right here is an instance of the report generated. (PDF)
A BlueDriver dongle may also provide you with info on how you can reset the oil mild in your dashboard (after you have modified the oil, not simply to make the sunshine go away!), the Tire Strain Monitoring System (TPMS), or the battery mild.
The service info display screen.
Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Oh, and do not forget to unplug your BlueDriver if you’re finished!
I’ve entry to a number of completely different scan instruments for vehicles, and I select Lemur’s BlueDriver usually. It is fast and straightforward to make use of, and I can preserve it within the glovebox so I am able to diagnose any issues I come throughout in my automobile or for my family and friends.
FAQs
No! Hassle codes solely provide you with route on what could be unsuitable. The supply of the issue could be the element listed, or could be a wiring problem, corrosion in a connector, an issue with the automobile’s pc, one other broken element inflicting issues on the automobile’s community, or any of a variety of different points.
Hassle codes provide you with a spot to begin. You may slender down the issue utilizing the Reside Information characteristic, or the restore studies.
If it is an intermittent downside, it might sound to. Some issues will come again instantly, others would possibly reappear after you have turned the automobile on and off a few occasions, and others would possibly take extra time to reappear.
And also you could be fortunate and uncover the issue was a glitch.