Navigating the world of car diagnostics can be complex, especially when choosing the right tools. Car Scanner ELM OBD2 app is a popular choice for drivers looking to understand their vehicle’s health. Many users often wonder about the differences between the free and pro versions of the Car Scanner app and how they relate to ELM327 OBD2 adapters. This FAQ is designed to answer your most pressing questions, helping you make informed decisions about using Car Scanner for your car diagnostic needs.
Purchase & Installation Questions
Q: If I upgrade to Car Scanner Pro, can I use it on all my devices?
A: Yes, upgrading to Car Scanner Pro grants you access across multiple devices, tied to the same app store account (either Apple AppStore or Google Play). This means if you purchase on Google Play, it’s valid for all your Android devices connected to that Google account, and similarly for Apple AppStore and iOS devices. However, the purchase is store-specific; a Google Play Pro version won’t work on the Apple AppStore, and vice versa. To activate Pro features on a new device, simply go to the purchase screen within the Car Scanner app and tap “Restore purchases.”
Q: Why are there different price options for Car Scanner Pro?
A: The varied pricing for Car Scanner Pro is simply a way for you to choose the price you’re comfortable paying. Regardless of whether you select the low, medium, or high price option, you receive the exact same Pro features and functionality. It’s essentially a tiered payment system allowing users to support the app at a level they deem appropriate.
Q: Can I purchase Car Scanner Pro outside of the Apple AppStore or Google Play?
A: No, the only official and secure way to purchase Car Scanner Pro is through the Apple AppStore for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices. This ensures a safe transaction and proper license management.
Q: My payment card is being rejected. What should I do?
A: All payment processing for Car Scanner Pro is handled directly by the Apple AppStore and Google Play. Car Scanner does not manage these transactions. If your card is declined, the issue likely lies with your payment method or your app store account settings. First, contact your bank to ensure there are no restrictions on your card. For iOS users, check for any restrictions in Settings – General – Restrictions. You may also need to review your payment information within your Apple AppStore or Google Play account settings.
Compatibility and Adapter Questions
Q: Will Car Scanner work with my car?
A: Car Scanner is designed to be broadly compatible with vehicles adhering to the OBDII (EOBD) standard, which includes most modern cars. Beyond OBDII, Car Scanner extends support to certain non-OBDII compliant vehicles, such as Nissan cars using Nissan Consult II, some older Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Toyota cars with JOBD, Suzuki, and some Chinese and Russian makes. While compatibility is wide-ranging, perfect connection with non-OBDII cars cannot be fully guaranteed.
Q: I can’t find my specific car model in the connection profiles list. What should I select?
A: If your exact car model isn’t listed, choose the connection profile that matches your car’s brand followed by “OBD-II”. For example, if you drive a Peugeot and don’t see your specific model, select “Peugeot OBD-II.” This generic OBD-II profile is often sufficient for establishing a connection.
Q: My car has Bluetooth, but Car Scanner won’t connect. Why?
A: It’s important to understand that your car’s built-in Bluetooth system (often for multimedia or phone connectivity) is different from the Bluetooth required for OBD2 diagnostics. Car Scanner needs a separate OBDII ELM327 Bluetooth adapter to communicate with your car’s computer. These adapters plug into your car’s OBD2 port and use Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to your phone running Car Scanner.
Alt text: Mini ELM327 Bluetooth OBD2 adapter, a common tool for car diagnostics.
Q: Car Scanner is showing a “Bad adapter” warning. What does this mean?
A: The “Bad adapter” warning in Car Scanner indicates that your ELM327 adapter is not responding correctly to initialization commands sent by the app. This is usually a warning about the adapter’s quality, particularly with cheaper clones, but it doesn’t restrict Car Scanner’s functionality. However, be aware that a low-quality adapter can lead to unreliable readings or connection issues. It’s recommended to use a reputable ELM327 adapter for optimal performance.
Data and Functionality Questions
Q: Some data I want to see is missing in the app.
A: The sensors and data parameters available to Car Scanner are dictated by your car’s Engine Control Unit (ECU). The app requests a list of supported sensors each time it connects to your vehicle. If certain data is not visible in Car Scanner, it means your car’s ECU does not provide that specific information. The data availability varies significantly from car to car.
Q: I’m connected, but Car Scanner only displays “ELM volts.” Why?
A: Some older vehicles, particularly from manufacturers like Nissan, Renault, and Subaru, have very basic OBDII support. On these cars, the OBDII standard might be limited to just reading and clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), without providing live data streams. For some Nissan models, using the “Nissan Consult II” protocol within Car Scanner might unlock more data.
Q: The speed reading in Car Scanner seems inaccurate!
A: Car Scanner itself does not measure speed. It displays the speed data as reported by your car’s ECU, which gets its reading from a wheel speed sensor or axle sensor. Vehicle speedometers are legally required to have a built-in margin of error, ensuring they never under-report the actual speed. This is because factors like tire wear, tire pressure changes, or even different tire brands can slightly alter wheel diameter and affect speed calculations. Car manufacturers intentionally calibrate speedometers to read slightly higher than the true speed to account for these variables and comply with regulations. Therefore, any discrepancy you see is likely due to this intentional calibration difference between the ECU’s raw speed data and your speedometer’s displayed speed.
Q: The voltage reading seems wrong!
A: Car Scanner displays the voltage value provided digitally by your ELM327 adapter or your car’s ECU. The app doesn’t measure voltage directly. Inaccuracies in voltage readings, especially “ELM volts,” are often due to low-quality ELM327 clone adapters, which are known to report voltage incorrectly. This is an adapter hardware issue, and Car Scanner cannot correct it.
iOS Specific Questions
Q: My iPhone/iPad says “Not supported” when trying to pair with the Bluetooth adapter in settings.
A: You do not need to manually pair Bluetooth OBD2 adapters within your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth settings. For iOS devices, Car Scanner uses a different Bluetooth connection method. Please refer to the iOS Bluetooth connection guide for the correct pairing procedure within the Car Scanner app.
Q: Does Car Scanner support standard Bluetooth ELM327 adapters on iOS?
A: Car Scanner on iOS exclusively supports Bluetooth 4.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy – BLE) adapters. Classic Bluetooth ELM327 adapters are not compatible with iOS devices due to Apple’s Bluetooth protocols. Ensure you are using a Bluetooth 4.0 or BLE compatible OBD2 adapter for iOS.
Alt text: Vgate OBDLink CX Bluetooth 4.0 OBD2 adapter, compatible with iOS devices and Car Scanner.
Q: I’m having connection issues with my Wi-Fi adapter on iOS.
A: Before using Car Scanner with a Wi-Fi OBD2 adapter on iOS, you must first manually connect your iPhone or iPad to the Wi-Fi network broadcasted by the OBD2 adapter. This Wi-Fi connection is established outside of the Car Scanner app, within your iOS Settings -> Wi-Fi. Ensure your adapter supports Wi-Fi and that you’ve connected to the correct network, typically named “OBDII,” “obd2,” or similar. Consult the Wi-Fi connection guide for detailed steps.
Q: Why does the connection drop when I minimize the app or receive a call on iOS?
A: Apple’s iOS operating system has limitations on apps running in the background and maintaining Wi-Fi connections. This is why minimizing Car Scanner or answering a call might interrupt the connection when using a Wi-Fi adapter. However, Car Scanner can maintain background connections with Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) adapters on iOS for a limited time, until the iOS system decides to terminate the background app process.
Android Specific Question
Q: Can Car Scanner run in the background on Android?
A: Yes, Car Scanner can operate in the background on Android devices. To enable this, go to Settings – Connection – Work in background within the Car Scanner app and activate the feature. Some Android versions may require you to manually add Car Scanner to a “whitelist” or exclusion list in your Android system settings to prevent the operating system from aggressively closing the app when it’s running in the background. This ensures uninterrupted background operation.
