Professional Tool And Equipment News - May 2020 - 43

AUTOMOTIVE INTELLIGENCE

generic information is all I need to begin
painting the picture.

AFTERMARKET
DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS
There are many tools to choose from
in the aftermarket. One of the fastest,
full-vehicle health-check-type tools I've
found is the MAHLE TechPRO. This
PC-based scan tool works exceptionally
well on GM and Ford applications. On
most CAN vehicles (2008 model year and
beyond), the tool allows the technician
to select the customer report option and
produce a pre- or post-scan report with
a single click.
The tool will then query all modules
for DTCs and the MODE$06 information from the engine controller and produce a single report that can be saved as a
PDF and printed or attached to the work
order. This operation happens rather
quickly and is the only one I've observed
thus far to work this fast.

DIAGNOSTIC MODE
When it comes to observing data, and
depending on the task, I prefer to have
display options that allow me to not
only graph but also control the scaling. Some scan tools have limitations
and I recommend you review your
options when selecting scan tools.
Toyota's Techstream, Ford's IDS, and
one of my favorites, the VCM Scanner
by HPTuners allow for a wide range of
scaling and display options. The VCM
scanner also allows one to generate
custom parameter IDs (PIDs) such as
math channels.
Some of the OEM tools also contain
specialized tests designed to help identify specific service issues that may have
plagued one of their vehicle platforms
and/or powertrain systems. For example, the Ford IDS sets up specific PIDs
in order to assist in analyzing specific
transmission issues.

DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT
Some tool manufactures have sup-

port integrated into the tool. Drew
Technologies, Autologic, Autoenginuity,
and Blue-link are now under one company, Opus | IVS, and offer the DrivePro
scan tool. The tool is supported on the
back end by highly talented diagnostic
technicians that can help guide one to a
solution when support is needed.

HD DIGITAL INSPECTION

VIDEOSCOPE

MV480
DUAL- CAMERA

THE FUTURE
OBD-II regulations are always evolving,
and we've already seen some new solutions being implemented, such as the
3-byte DTC which provides additional
information as to the failure mode that
the DTC was set for. Moving forward,
I've heard that many of the advanced
utilities found within OEM tools will
soon be available in generic modes.
As more safety systems get embedded
into the vehicle, being able to access the
right data when you need it will become
a critical part of the service and repair
business.
With the introduction of the secure
gateway (SGW) on vehicles, access to
non-emissions related modules will be
unavailable without certain credentials
provided through the use of OEM or
select aftermarket tools. Follow groups
such as the National Automotive Service
Task Force (NASTF), Equipment & Tool
Institute (ETI), AutoCare Association,
and others to get a glimpse of what the
future of data access might look like.

EVERY DETAIL COUNTS
Superior Clarity 2MP Camera
Easy-to-Use 1-Button Photo/Video
Wider 70° Field of View
Affordable / Great Value
Audio Annotation

KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION
Knowing how to best leverage a tool
can come from both external training
and internal self-training. Through
your own persistent research, you can
learn a lot through self-discovery. If
you're interested in staying in touch
with current trends and best practices
around diagnostics, then I invite you
to check out Diagnostic Network (diag.
net) where you'll find some very sharp
professionals helping each other with
advanced technologies. .
To read the extended version of this
article, visit: VehicleServicePros/21134191

www.VehicleServicePros.com

MAY 2020

TEL: (855) 288-3587 * USSUPPORT@AUTEL.COM
AUTEL.COM * MAXITPMS.COM * MAXISYSADAS.COM

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PROFESSIONAL TOOL & EQUIPMENT NEWS 43

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Professional Tool And Equipment News - May 2020

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