SINCE 2004--Professional Auto Diagnostic Factory

There aren’t any hard and fast rules as to what constitutes a basic car code reader and what qualifies as a scan tool, but there are a few things that 

typically set these devices apart. Both devices feature basic code reading and clearing functionality,but that’soften where a code reader’s 

feature set ends. Scan tools, on the other hand, may include advanced data reading and playback features, extensive knowledge bases and 

diagnostic procedures, and even built-in testing equipment.

As to whether you need a code reader or a scan tool, neither device is necessarily “better” than the other. Code readers are cheap and easy to use, 

and if all you need to do is read and clear codes, then an inexpensive code reader is a great tool to have. Some really affordable code readers even 

provide basic access to the full range of parameter IDs (PIDs) that your car’s onboard computer provides, and that can be powerful information 

if you know what to do with it.

However, a good scan tool is always going to be a much more useful tool in the right hands. Scan tools are more expensive, but they can 

do everything a code reader can do and then some. Of course, you might also want to consider going with a low-cost option like an ELM327 

scan tool if you already have a compatible device that you can use with it.