OBD2 tool being used?

[Joe Dirt]

Hello all,
Just wondering what some of you are using for your OBD2 tool.?
Speaking specifically for brake pad replacements, engine light resets and engine code analysis.

Not looking for an elaborate/hundreds of dollars for a tool, just something that is practical and usable for me the average mechanic.
Any thoughts or comparisons are appreciated.

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[bakutheleo]

I have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9S71LW?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

I have not used it on my 4Runner yet,, but have with other vehicles (older Toyota Sienna and more recent RAV4). Android only, no iOS. I believe this one is compatible with Carista. I do not know what you mean by brake pad replacements, but it can definitely read and reset codes. The app comes with a basic code lookup feature; more can be added.

 

[Joe Dirt]

="bakutheleo, post: 94081, member: 5761"]
I have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9S71LW?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

I have not used it on my 4Runner yet,, but have with other vehicles (older Toyota Sienna and more recent RAV4). Android only, no iOS. I believe this one is compatible with Carista. I do not know what you mean by brake pad replacements, but it can definitely read and reset codes. The app comes with a basic code lookup feature; more can be added.
[/QUOTE]

I have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9S71LW?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

I have not used it on my 4Runner yet,, but have with other vehicles (older Toyota Sienna and more recent RAV4). Android only, no iOS. I believe this one is compatible with Carista. I do not know what you mean by brake pad replacements, but it can definitely read and reset codes. The app comes with a basic code lookup feature; more can be added.

Thanks for the info, I have not replaced the rear pads on any new modern vehicles yet with the automatic brake. I believe that an ODB tool is needed to recoil the brake calipers. Or perhaps there's another way to disengage and release the automatic brake. I guess I'll cross that when I get to it.

 

[bakutheleo]

In mine, at least, I assume all, there is a button on the console by the shifter to take the parking brake off (it has a "P" on it. You just push (or pull?) it and it either disables the automatic brake or at least releases it at that point. My wife's RAV4 has the same function.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9S71LW?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

I have not used it on my 4Runner yet,, but have with other vehicles (older Toyota Sienna and more recent RAV4). Android only, no iOS. I believe this one is compatible with Carista. I do not know what you mean by brake pad replacements, but it can definitely read and reset codes. The app comes with a basic code lookup feature; more can be added.

Just wondering how that OBD2 tool is working for you and what app you decided to run with it. I'm looking specifically for something that will read my transmission temperature. I have been using an infrared heat gun tool. Thanks in advance

 

[bakutheleo]

Hi @Joe Dirt, I have not used it with the 4Runner yet but will try it when I think of it. I have just been using the app from the manufacturer from the device, seems to work OK. I have not really used it for a lot of things, mostly to check codes and basic monitoring.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Okay thanks I'm just looking for a basic odb2 tool to check transmission temperature when I do a drain and fill.
It's so easy to do it's just a matter of having the right temperature.
Anyway if you get a chance to check your transmission temperature keep me posted I appreciate it,
thank you

 

[Vincenzo]

I would assume you are a long way from changing transmission fluid. I use ScanGauge. Its kinda an OBD tool. It will reset codes. It shows a multitude of engine parameters for realtime monitoring.

 

[quadna71]

I have this one from Autel: https://a.co/d/cPE2yNz

It works fine to retract the parking brake motors on my 2021 F-250 as well as my 2016 Civic. As it recognizes the Civic fine under the "import" category, I'm confident it will also read the 4R. You can often catch it with a discount box to check on Amazon - it was knocked down to $130 when I grabbed it.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I have this one from Autel: https://a.co/d/cPE2yNz

It works fine to retract the parking brake motors on my 2021 F-250 as well as my 2016 Civic. As it recognizes the Civic fine under the "import" category, I'm confident it will also read the 4R. You can often catch it with a discount box to check on Amazon - it was knocked down to $130 when I grabbed it.

I was talking to a mechanic locally not at a dealership, and he mentioned that the new 4Runners do not have to use a tool to retract the automatic rear brake motor. He said there are a couple of bolts on the back of the motor and the piece comes right off. Real easy.
I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. My new mission is to find an OBD2 scan tool that will give me transmission temperatures from a phone app. Thanks for your input.

 

[TheArlenG]

I got this one the other day to play around with... no issues so far.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBJGKGB7

 

[Joe Dirt]

Let me know if you have the function for transmission fluid temperature. I have looked at quite a few different ones that are fairly expensive. The commonality with most of them is, there very elusive on the transmission fluid temperature.
Thanks

 

[Dr_Al]

I don't have a $=4Runner yet but I have the paid version of the Torque app. I've used that a number of times. I've also used Toyota's Techstream app. My ODB2 adapter is pretty old and I had to get a newer adapter so I could reprogram the TPMS sensors. I think that the apps are always being updated to compete with each other but the adapters are more like a computer, sooner or later you have to replace them.

 

[TheArlenG]

I looked around and didn't see it in the software for the Gearwrench dongle I posted. I'm probably going to buy this VXDIAG https://vxdiag.com/collections/vcx-se-for-multiple-models/products/2024-new-vxdiag-vcx-se-pro-3-in-1 which should go much deeper for Toyota. They have a cheaper one if you only want Toyota. I'll report back if I end up getting it.

Let me know if you have the function for transmission fluid temperature. I have looked at quite a few different ones that are fairly expensive. The commonality with most of them is, there very elusive on the transmission fluid temperature.
Thanks

 

[Joe Dirt]

I just checked out their website and it has quite a few reviews from one star to five.
I always look at the middle of the road three star and two star reviews to see what the commonalities are in problems.

Not sure this is going to work for transmission temperature.

I did send them an email asking that specifically and if there was documentation on that.

I've been down this rabbit hole before many times with many different brands of cars and it seems that a lot of these OBD2 connectors now are all sort of in the same bucket love features. And with these new sophisticated CAN systems, it's even more important to make sure you don't put any type of a parasitic virus within your system. When interesting item to point out is that they require you to turn off your antivirus features on your laptop if you're running Windows, not sure about Apple. I'm also wondering if there's any type of data Privacy Act that you're going to have to give up to use this product. More and more it appears that a lot of foreign car manufacturers and tools are very elusive about privacy acts and it really appears their data mining.. just my two cents. Thanks for looking.

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