A good car diagnostic app should provide features such as reading and clearing error codes, displaying real-time data from sensors, vehicle speed, and fuel consumption information. These features will help you get an idea of the car’s condition and possible problems.
Some apps offer advanced features such as data recording and problem logging. These can be especially useful for professional mechanics or car enthusiasts who want to get a better understanding of their vehicle's condition.
Car Scanner
One of the useful functions of the application Car Scanner is a customizable "dashboard". It allows you to add the necessary sensors and select the display style. Various types of graphs are implemented for analyzing readings.
Another function is "freeze frame", which records the state of sensors when an error occurs. This helps to determine the cause of the malfunction.
The application has extensive settings - protocols, initialization, timeouts for requests to the control unit. You can configure the cost of fuel, the volume of the tank for calculating the cost of trips.
The head-up display offers dark, light and blue color schemes, as well as a mirror display mode.
Implemented backup of settings for restoration after reinstalling the application.
OBD Harry
Application OBD Harry has basic functionality for car diagnostics, without frills.
It implements the ability to obtain information about the status of the Check Engine indicator, the number of active fault codes, and the fuel level. Data on the mileage with the Check Engine on, the number of engine warm-ups after resetting the codes, and the VIN number of the car are also available.
The paid version provides access to the database of fault codes with descriptions and search for solutions on the network. The function of simultaneous display of up to 10 engine parameters in dynamics is implemented. You can select up to 5 parameters for plotting graphs without recording restrictions.
OBD Mary
OBD Mary Supports OBD2 standard applicable to most cars produced after 2004.
In the settings, you can specify the parameters of the car - engine capacity, gross weight, fuel type. Also, the cost of fuel, currency and maximum idle time are configured to keep an accurate travel log.
You can display various sensors on the dashboard even in the free version - speed, engine temperature, fuel consumption and other indicators. This allows you to conveniently monitor the operation of the car.
The application has a function for reading dynamic parameters - system status, engine speed, throttle position. System readiness tests are also available - 22 tests in total.
Another useful feature is the freeze frame system, which records the parameter values when a malfunction occurs.
Infocar
Application Infocar has richer functionality compared to competitors. The main screen contains the following sections: monitoring, diagnostics, dashboard, fuel data, trip history, manufacturer data, driving style and maintenance log.
Implemented HUD with customizable speed display parameters. The dashboard allows you to monitor up to 12 parameters simultaneously.
Diagnostics displays engine performance indicators and active fault codes. Monitoring provides information on vehicle parameters - pressure, temperature, fuel consumption.
The main screen has three default indicators - mileage, trip time and last diagnosis. They can be replaced with others, such as oil temperature, battery voltage, average fuel consumption. The fuel section displays data on fuel consumption and remaining fuel. Trip history and "black box" are also available.
MotorData
Application MotorData — a worthy competitor to Infocar for car diagnostics. The main screen provides functions for reading fault codes, displaying current sensor readings in tables, digital panels, simulating a dashboard and in the form of graphs.
The free version connects only to the engine control unit and shows a limited set of parameters and codes - no more than four. For extended functionality, you need to purchase a paid module for a specific car brand. In the settings, you can enable automatic connection to the OBD2 adapter.
Useful functions without connecting an adapter include recording of expenses, remaining life, maintenance planning, a directory of instrument panel indicators and a fuel calculator.
The app includes a detailed guide to operating your car, from changing wheels to repairing tires. The guide is well structured and contains useful information.
EOBD Facility
When you first launch the application EOBD Facility for car diagnostics gave the impression of an outdated design, despite a recent update in Google Play. However, the functionality of the application is quite modern.
EOBD Facile offers two tariff plans - Basic and Plus. The Basic version allows you to reset trouble codes (DTC), view current sensor readings in tables and get information about the car. The Advanced version adds the ability to print reports, save data and re-view.
The app connects via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB. It allows you to check confirmed and unconfirmed fault codes with a description.
An interesting feature is the snapshots of the engine condition at the moment of the malfunction. Also available are lambda probe and oxygen sensor data, monitoring of the operating ranges of the control systems and resetting the memory of the engine control unit.
The measurements section contains tables of current sensor readings, historical data graphs and vehicle specifications. The control unit information includes a VIN code decoding function.