So without further ado, I'll give you a rundown on the two best OBD-II apps I found while testing.

Once the pairing process is fully complete, you'll be able to use your OBD-II adapter by simply plugging it into your car, turning the key to the 'On' position, then opening the diagnostics app on your phone.

Note that some will have a limited time frame to connect, so it's best to attempt connection soon after plugging the adapter into the diagnostic port. (2) My PIN ended up being 1234.Īfter pairing the OBD-II adapter, you may need to open whatever app you choose and go through the connection process for that specific application as well. (1) In most cases, it will be the only new device found. It should be somewhere underneath your steering wheel on the driver's side, but if you can't seem to locate the port, CarMD will help you find it. Once you've got your adapter, all you'll need to do is plug it into your car's diagnostic port, though finding this connection is tricky sometimes. You don't have to use a specific model, so you can easily find something comparable by googling 'OBD Bluetooth' or 'Bluetooth OBD-II.' Just make sure that whatever adapter you purchase supports both OBD-II and Bluetooth. Such adapters can be purchased for around $10 from Amazon, though, I went with an ELM327 from eBay, as it only cost $3.58. With the right adapter, data from your car's OBD-II port can be transferred to your phone over Bluetooth.

OBD-II is a standardized protocol in all vehicles made since 1996, and it's used to transmit information from your car's computer to code readers and other diagnostic tools. So to help clear everything up, we'll show you how to find a good Bluetooth-enabled OBD scanner, then cover the two best OBD-scanning apps below.ĭon't Miss: How to Change Your Own Oil - A Beginner's Guide Connecting an OBD-II Adapter to Your Car In addition to that, it can be hard to find the right OBD-II adapter for your particular phone and vehicle model. The trouble is, while there are many free OBD-scanning apps on the Play Store, few are actually good. Most adapters sell for less than $10, and once you plug it into your vehicle, you'll just need a good app to help you make sense of all the data it can gather. Whether you're a professional mechanic, a hobbyist, or someone who just wants to know why their check engine light came on, your Android device and an OBD-II adapter can provide insight as to what's going on with your car.

Dashcommand Serial Number