Just note that the multimeter doesn't work when the AL539 is connected as an OBD scanner. The device's lithium-ion battery powers it for checking fuses, the alternator's voltage or the gas gauge. Unlike most OBD-II scanners, Autel's AutoLink AL539 can check electrical connections with a built-in multimeter to uncover electrical shorts or burned-out cables. Read our full ThinkCar ThinkDiag TKD01 review. However, it doesn't tell you which replacement parts or repairs might be needed. The app can turn off the oil-change light, check tire pressure, airbags and brakes, and predict which systems will go south soon. If you have multiple cars of different makes, you'll pay for each profile.

You get one profile for free for the first year, but after that each profile is $40 per year (and even more for Teslas). The ThinkDiag app offers profiles for more than 100 automakers, letting you dig deep into manufacturer-specific codes. On the upside, the rugged oval-shaped unit is practically indestructible. You may need an extension cable to connect to your car's systems. It can show you extended fault codes or turn off the oil-change light, but be wary of the annual app-subscription plan.Īt more than three inches across, the ThinkDiag is so big it won't fit into some OBD-II ports. The ThinkCar ThinkDiag TKD01 is among the largest Bluetooth-based OBD-II automotive diagnostic scanners. It's the diagnostic scanner to get if you have an '80s or early-'90s car. With a list price of nearly $200, the Bosch OBD 1300 may seem expensive until you see how many cars it can work with.

It can check the anti-lock brakes and air bags on most cars released from 1996 to 2013, monitor the charging system and battery and run a pre-inspection emissions test. You'll need to get the instruction manual from Bosch's website.

The scanner's database holds details on 26 million repair suggestions. Instead, it uses AA batteries or your car's cigarette lighter to power its large color screen, which shows graphing data clearly. Unlike many handheld diagnostic scanners, the Bosch OBD 1300 doesn't get power from your car's OBD-II port. It can get heavy once the 6-foot extension cable is attached, but the OBD 1300's small size hides its powerful range of abilities. The Bosch OBD 1300 diagnostic scanner stands out by including cables to connect with pre-1996 Chrysler, Ford, GM and Toyota cars.

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