That familiar glow of the check engine light in your Subaru – it’s a sight that can trigger instant anxiety. Instead of immediately scheduling a costly visit to the dealership, imagine having the power to understand and address the issue yourself. Since 1996, every car in the U.S., including your Subaru, has been equipped with an On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD2) system. This system constantly monitors your vehicle’s health, from the engine’s intricate workings to the emissions system, and everything in between.
An OBD2 scanner is your key to unlocking this hidden diagnostic data. These devices plug into your Subaru’s OBD2 port, usually located under the dashboard, and communicate with the car’s computer. They can read Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) that illuminate the check engine light, giving you a crucial first step in diagnosing the problem. While basic scanners read standardized codes, the best OBD2 scanners for Subaru vehicles go further, accessing manufacturer-specific codes and offering advanced functionalities.
To help you find the perfect tool for your needs, we’ve tapped into the expertise of the SubaruOutback.org community, gathering recommendations from real Subaru owners. Here are some of the top OBD2 scanners that are worth investing in to keep your Subaru running smoothly.
Top OBD2 Scanner Picks for Your Subaru
These scanners range in features and price, ensuring there’s a great option for every Subaru owner, from the DIY enthusiast to those just wanting to understand that pesky check engine light.
1. OBDLink MX+: The Subaru Community Favorite
The OBDLink brand is a popular choice among Subaru owners, and the MX+ model stands out for its performance and versatility. What sets the OBDLink MX+ apart is its incredibly fast Bluetooth connection, providing real-time, live data streaming from your Subaru’s engine computer directly to your smartphone or tablet.
Unlike many budget Bluetooth scanners that are limited to Android devices, the OBDLink MX+ is compatible with iOS (Apple), Android, and Windows, offering broad accessibility. OBDLink provides a free companion app and is also compatible with a wide range of third-party OBD2 apps, giving you flexibility in how you access and interpret your Subaru’s data.
Beyond reading basic OBD2 codes, the MX+ delves into manufacturer-specific codes, offering deeper insights into Subaru-specific issues. Its reliability is further enhanced by a three-year warranty, and its energy-efficient design means you can safely leave it plugged into your Subaru without battery drain concerns.
2. ScanGauge II: Diagnostic Tool and Gauge Display in One
The ScanGauge II offers a unique proposition: it’s not just an OBD2 scanner; it’s also a customizable gauge pod for your Subaru. Compatible with all 1996 and newer OBD2 vehicles, including your Subaru, the ScanGauge II performs standard diagnostic functions like reading and clearing both current and pending trouble codes.
However, its standout feature is the real-time display of vehicle data. The ScanGauge II can show a wealth of information on its compact backlit screen, including RPM, vehicle speed, intake air temperature, fuel pressure, and even ignition timing. For fuel-conscious Subaru drivers, it can display instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel economy, and even calculate cost per mile. Furthermore, it supports vehicle-specific gauges, potentially including a boost gauge for turbocharged Subaru models, allowing you to monitor performance parameters directly from your dashboard.
3. Innova 5610: Advanced Diagnostics for the Serious DIYer
The Innova 5610 is designed for Subaru owners who want to go beyond basic code reading and delve into more in-depth diagnostics. It handles both generic and manufacturer-specific trouble codes, and its large color screen clearly displays data and trouble codes, and can even graph live data from your Subaru’s sensors. It can access a wide range of your Subaru’s modules, including tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).
What elevates the Innova 5610 is its bidirectional control capability. This advanced feature, typically found in professional-grade scanners, allows you to interact with your Subaru’s modules and sensors. You can deactivate specific modules for testing purposes or command components like the EGR valve to open and close, aiding in component-level diagnostics. While these features are geared towards more experienced DIY mechanics, they provide a significant advantage for troubleshooting complex Subaru issues.
4. BlueDriver Pro: Repair Guidance at Your Fingertips
The BlueDriver Pro is another highly recommended Bluetooth-based OBD2 scanner praised for its ease of use and comprehensive features. Like the others, it reads and clears standard OBD2 trouble codes, but it goes further by providing freeze frame data, capturing the vehicle’s parameters at the moment a code was triggered. It also displays live sensor data and checks your Subaru’s emissions readiness for smog tests.
A standout feature of the BlueDriver Pro is its repair report function. For each trouble code, the BlueDriver app can generate a detailed report outlining potential causes, common fixes reported by other vehicle owners, and other helpful diagnostic information. This repair guidance can be invaluable in narrowing down the problem and formulating a repair strategy for your Subaru.
5. Autel AutoLink AL329: Professional Features for the DIY Budget
Autel is a well-respected brand in professional automotive diagnostics, known for its high-end scan tools used by mechanics worldwide. While they offer advanced systems like the MaxiSys, which rivals factory diagnostic capabilities, the Autel AutoLink AL329 provides a more accessible and budget-friendly option for DIY Subaru owners.
The AL329 is a standalone handheld scanner, eliminating the need for smartphones or apps. It features a color screen for easy readability and retrieves both generic and manufacturer-specific codes. It also displays emissions readiness status and freeze frame data. While it may not have all the advanced features of higher-end Autel models, the AL329 covers the essential diagnostic functions effectively at a very affordable price point, making it a great entry-level OBD2 scanner for Subaru vehicles.
Investing in the best OBD2 scanner for your Subaru depends on your needs and technical expertise. Whether you choose a basic code reader or a more advanced tool with bidirectional controls and repair reports, having an OBD2 scanner empowers you to understand your Subaru better, potentially saving you time and money on diagnostics and repairs.
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