In fact, this is a mobile application designed to diagnose your own vehicle. When connecting and entering some parameters, the smartphone turns into a multifunctional on-board computer. With its help, the driver has a real opportunity to track the performance of the car, monitor the current parameters, collect statistics and more.

The software connects to the car using a Bluetooth wireless access system. To download the application, you need to go to the corresponding Market, where various software is available for smartphones running the Android operating system.

Be careful, as the program is available in both paid and free versions. But we’ll talk about this a little later.

The main features of the application include the following functionality:

customizing the program to fit your specific needs and requirements;
full-fledged diagnostics of the state of the vehicle’s power plant;
reading additional devices and different systems, which depends on the brand, model and configuration;
reading engine errors and deleting them from the ECU;
display on the smartphone display of such indicators as speed, oil temperature, engine temperature, fuel amount and not only online;
collection of statistical data to obtain average indicators for consumption, mileage, etc .;
7 desktops that can be customized for yourself, display the necessary sensors;
formation of graphs, dials and digital display of parameters;
various options for notification of information from sensors
saving the traversed route, the ability to display it on a computer, etc.

The program really has great potential. This largely depends on how many sensors are provided on your vehicle.

After all, the software collects information from the controllers themselves on the car, connects to the electronic unit and combines all these parameters within one smartphone. This is a full-fledged on-board computer, which is able to significantly exceed the capabilities of a standard on-board vehicle installed on a car from the factory.

If you want to seriously engage in the control and diagnostics of your car, you prefer to independently carry out a number of preventive and repair work, then the most correct solution would be to install the paid version of Torque.

Capabilities

ATTENTION! The list of options may differ depending on the model year of the vehicle, the version of the adapter and the installed software.

Current fuel and air consumption.
Diagnostics of errors.
Dashboard data display.
Engine speed – but only when the car is running.
Fuel system pressure.
Throttle position.
Adjusting folding mirrors.
Reconfiguration of automatic door closing.
Reading sensors in real time – sometimes only works when the engine is running.

Car compatibility

The scanning module is quite popular, but not suitable for all vehicles. Your car should initially have an OBD2 connector consisting of 16 pins.

List of cars:

USA from 1997.
Japan from 2000.
Europeans from 2001 (petrol) and from 2004 (diesel).
China from 2008.
Domestic from 2010.

For older models, adapters may help.

Adapters

I haven’t told everything about connectors yet. Some old cars have their own connection, where you can also connect ELM327, but for this you need an adapter:

GM 12 Pin – OBD2 16 Pin: Daewoo (up to 2000), Lanos, Tavria, Sens, VAZ with injection engines (up to 2002).

Nissan 14 pin – OBD 16 pin: Nissan 1989 – 2000 гг.

KIA 20 pin – OBD 16 pin: for all KIA vehicles. Before buying, make sure that the connector is really 20-pin.

Toyota 22 pin – OBD 16 pin: old Toyota.

In fact, you need to look at the OBD-2 connector and consider all the visible contacts that are present there, if there are enough of them, then the module can be connected without problems. If there are not enough of them, then it will not work to connect it.

Take a look at the picture above. Each of the connections works based on its own protocol. For example, the seventh (7) is connected according to ISO 9141-2. But body ground, signal ground, Line ISO (SAE) (7 and 16) and Battery voltage work on a different protocol – ISO14230-4KWP2000.

There are also two types of adapters on the market:

Original with version 1.5.
And from a third-party manufacturer – version 2.1.

Also, compatibility can be found out based on the standards that a particular module uses. The standards themselves are written in the specification or on the box itself. In general, everything is simple – we look at the standard, and then at the table below.

In general, there shouldn’t be any connection problems. We figured out the ELM327 connection.

Installation

Download the latest Russian version of torque.
Click install.
An application shortcut appears on the desktop, and the installation is complete.

Versions and advantages of using the scanner

At the moment, the widespread versions of the scanner are 1.5, 1.6 and 2.1. But still, the basic modification 1.5 is the best for autodiagnostics. This can be explained by its originality, because specialists from Canada have been working on it for more than one year.

Newer versions were provided by programmers in China.

They tried to upgrade an outdated program, but as a result, useful options were only lost. Therefore, users advise beginners to use firmware 1.5.

Advantages of the ELM 327 scanner:

intuitive and easy to use. No special skills are required to connect and operate. You need to study the instructions, as well as understand how the electronic system of the vehicle works. And applications for smart phones make this device an excellent travel companion.
compactness – thanks to this it can be transported to the vehicle and connected to the electronic control unit as soon as it is needed
accurate results
economy – the use of the adapter eliminates the need to visit the service station frequently.

The set with the device includes a disc with the recorded software and instructions.

Recommendations for use

It is unlikely that anyone will have problems with how to install the Torque Pro version or the simplified Lite version on their smartphone running the Android operating system. Just go to the Market, download the application, and the smartphone itself performs the installation procedure, creating a shortcut on the phone’s desktop. It is required to install it in exactly the same way as any other application on a smartphone.

And before you can start working with a program called Torque on your phone, you need to make a serial connection. This will allow you to connect via the OBD II adapter and start directly with the settings and diagnostic activities.

In order for the software to start collecting information and display it on the screen of your smartphone, you need:

Find the diagnostic connector and connect the scanner to it. Which scanner to use, everyone decides for himself. Scan Tool Pro shows itself well in interaction with Torque. Much more questions arise regarding the search for the diagnostic connector itself. Here it is better to look at the owner’s manual for your car.
Usually the required connector is located under the dashboard or directly under the steering wheel of the vehicle. Sometimes it is displayed in the center of the panel, that is, between the driver’s and front passenger seats. When the adapter is connected to the connector, the LED light will turn on.
If the LED is on, everything is going correctly and strictly according to the plan. Now you need to connect the adapter itself with your smart phones. To do this, Bluetooth is turned on on two devices and the search function for nearby devices is activated.
After synchronization, the name of the connected scanner should be displayed on the smartphone screen.
If it is an old OBD II firmware (1.5 or 1.6), then the system may ask for a password. Don’t be alarmed. Usually the password is standard and looks like 1234 or 0000. Sometimes the combination is 6789. It will not be superfluous to look into the instruction manual for the adapter. Perhaps the manufacturer has provided an individual code for their device.
When you entered the password and connected it, you don’t have to search for Bleutooth again and specify passwords for access. The devices are synchronized, and therefore the connection will be carried out automatically.
Turn the ignition key, but do not start the engine itself.
Go to the tab that is responsible for the state of the adapter on the main screen of the application.
If you have gone through all the previous steps correctly, you will see 4 lines on the display, opposite each of which a green check mark flaunts.
These checkboxes mean that Bluetooth is activated, the devices are synchronized, the device is connected to the electronic unit and the error counter is running.

Although sometimes at this stage certain difficulties arise, and some checkmarks do not appear. Usually the problem lies in the line about the connection to the electronic unit. The firmware simply does not see the car computer. There is more likely a problem with the adapter, which is not entirely original, which is why it does not work with all cars.

Try to use only tested, certified adapters that are exactly capable of connecting to a vehicle of your type. It is better to check with the seller in advance, consult with specialists, or contact the manufacturer directly or its official representative in your country.

Profile preparation

To fully work with the application, you first need to set up your own profile in the program. To do this, simply in the main menu, you need to click on the image of the inscription. You will open the corresponding menu for further settings.

It is required to fill in and take into account some points:

You can set any name you like for your own profile. It doesn’t affect anything.
Fill in the field with the engine displacement with the real value of your engine on the car.
Please enter your full passport weight.
Enter information about the type of fuel used.
Record the volume of the fuel tank.
Fill in the field with the fuel level.
Indicate the maximum value your tachometer has.
If necessary, you can even indicate the cost of the fuel with which you refuel.

Such parameters will allow you to adapt the program to work specifically with your car with its specific characteristics. And also keep records of fuel consumption, financial costs, etc.

Do not forget about the advanced settings, which are opened by clicking on the Advance Settings menu. Here it is recommended to specify Bluetooth from the list to which you need to connect, and also select the OBD protocol you need from the list.

It remains only to save the settings, and you are done with the profile.

Application settings

But before using the Torque application, in addition to the profile, you will need to configure the application to work. Leaving the default settings is not recommended, since this will not allow you to fully use the capabilities of the software.

In the section with the basic settings, it is recommended to leave the checkboxes opposite the lines about the demonstration of the notification panel, auto-rotate, Bluetooth errors and enable the debugger.
There is also a section with themes in the menu. Choose the appropriate design option at your own discretion. It’s just the look and feel of the software you will be using. This does not affect the functionality in any way.
The section with plugins should be entered only by those users who have thoroughly studied all the features of the program, who are fanatical of self-diagnostics and want to add more individuality to the software. Plugins are not an obligatory item for configuring. But if desired, the necessary additional plugins are downloaded on the same Market.
It is worth making adjustments to the section with units of measurement. Everyone chooses those units with which it is convenient for him to work. Since some parameters are measured in different units, be careful.
There is also a section in the menu with settings related to the OBD adapter. Here it is enough to put a tick in front of the first three items. It specifies the automatic activation and deactivation of the Bluetooth protocol, fast connection and if Bluetooth has been disabled.
The next item is with records and downloads of logs. Some ignore this point, while others delve into it thoroughly. If you want to collect information from sensors, then you will need a log. In this section, you can select specific sensors and controllers, information from which will be entered into the log.
Dashboard. If you need to keep the program active, it is better to check the box next to the first item. Then Torque will start automatically if your smartphone is turned off or rebooted. There is no need to restart the program manually.
In the section with speech and warnings, you can choose which nuances the application will inform about by voice notification. Speech can be adjusted for temperature drop, low fuel level, engine overheating, etc.
If you want to receive notifications on the panel, then check the corresponding box in the section on managing alerts.
Additional PID sensors. A useful menu, since the program is designed for a standard set of controllers. You will need to download a file with additional sensors for your specific car, if necessary. It already depends on the specific car and its presence in the standard Torque list.

In general, the settings are quite extensive. Therefore, here it is better to sit in front of the phone, understand in detail the application menu, go to each section and determine what you really need and which items you can safely skip.

As your experience of using Torque increases, you will learn how to use all its functionality, discover other options, and understand the meaning of each parameter in more detail. You won’t be able to study everything in one day.

Description of the menu items of the Torque program

The adapter is paired, communication with the vehicle is established. It’s time to deal with the program menu items. The Torque application menu consists of the following sections:

Adapter status
Charts
Test results
Map overview
Reading errors
Dashboard
Plugins
Settings
Help

What each means, what they are for and how to set them up.

Adapter status

Shows information about the connected diagnostic adapter and vehicle parameters.

Adapter communication – yes / no
ECU connection – yes / no
Adapter manufacturer
Adapter version
OBD car protocol
Available sensors

Charts

In this section, you can record engine parameters in the form of graphs.

To do this, you need to select the type of graph, the maximum number of records, the polling interval of the sensors and, in fact, the sensors themselves for plotting the graphs.

Test results

In this section, the data received from the vehicle sensors are compared with the nominal values.

Map overview

Here you can record and view current and archived trips. The data received from GPS is reproduced on Google maps in the form of a trip path.

Reading errors

Here you can read and reset the “Check Engine” errors. Save and download the error log, send information about the error by mail, message or other means. Search the database for an error.

Dashboard

This is the main work area of the application. Contains devices with readings of vehicle sensors, incl. in real time. You can add your own instruments to the dashboard with digital information, graphs or text.

To add the device you need you need:

press the “Add device” button;
select the type of device: scale, graph, digital display, fuel data, GPS and more;
select the data that will be displayed on this device: CO2, Pressure, Temperature, GPS, throttle position, etc.
choose the size of the appliance: tiny, small, medium, large, very large.

Devices can be configured, moved, deleted.

Plugins

Plugins extend the capabilities of the Torque program. Plugins for specific car manufacturers are especially popular: Nissan, Renault, Kia, etc.

The plugins must be downloaded first. Then we install them like a normal application. Installed plugins will appear as additional menu items.

Review of the best multibrand auto scanners

Since low-cost autoscanners are most widely represented on the market, noticeably differing in both cost and functionality, let’s start our review with this particular category of devices for diagnosing the condition of a car.

Autel MaxiDas DS708

A model related to autonomous autoscanners, designed to work with any brands of cars, regardless of their place of assembly. Equipped with a seven-inch built-in display in shock-resistant design, on which all information received from the ECU is displayed in a symbolic or graphic mode. Despite its versatility, it demonstrates the maximum functionality when working with cars of European assembly, allowing you to change the characteristics of the ECU configuration and even program the immobilizer. It can connect to external devices via a cable (there is a LAN port) or over the air using a Wi-Fi network. This allows you to use MaxiDas DS708 without any problems in any car service, ensuring that there are no problems with its connection. The cost of the device is about $ 100, and the scanner must be ordered from China. It is possible to update the software,

XTOOL MS8211

Convenient form factor
Price for Aliexpress: from 1,620 rubles.
Rating (2020): 4.7

Electrical wiring problems are the most difficult to diagnose. You can find the source of the problem, but the exact location of the damage is difficult to find, and without a special tool it is completely impossible. Before us is a scanner capable of diagnosing electrical wiring and identifying the location of the problem. At the end of the device there is a special hook that clings to the wires. When you press the lever, it checks the voltage in the network and the integrity of the wiring.

By sliding the scanner along the wiring, we determine the location of the break or the weakest connection. You no longer have to completely pull out the bundle of wires and change the whole block. It is enough to carry out simple diagnostics and find the reason without disassembling the car to the last screw. In addition, the device has a very convenient form factor. It is compact, and all the keys you need are easy to press without using a second hand.

Bosch KTS 570

Although this scanner is technically a multi-brand, it has a narrow specialization – vehicles equipped with diesel power units with a fuel system from Bosch. Has the functionality of a dealer class. Due to the presence of a two-channel oscilloscope and a digital multimeter, it can be considered an indispensable tester for the following systems of passenger and commercial vehicles:

diesel / gasoline engines;
automatic gearboxes;
climate control;
airbags;
suspension units;
brake system;
cruise control;
all onboard / body electronics.

For operation, a PC / laptop is required (proprietary software is included on the optical disc). The cost of the device is quite high – from 100 thousand rubles.

KONNWEI KW590

Availability of the Russian language
Price for Aliexpress: from 1,347 rubles.
Rating (2020): 4.7

Products with Aliexpress from China rarely have russification, and it is very difficult to find a device with the ability to display data in Russian. But we succeeded. We present to your attention the best auto diagnostic scanner, fully translated into Russian. Well, the option is certainly important and interesting, but what about the technical characteristics?

Here they are also at their best. To begin with, this tool is able to carry out the most complete diagnostics of a car, as well as save the check data in its memory, and later correlate them with new results. This allows you to track the wear of certain components and modules of the vehicle. The device operates over several communication channels. It can be connected both wirelessly and with a USB cable, which is especially convenient when using a printer to print the received data. By the way, the price will also please. Even for Aliexpress, it is more than democratic, especially since it is indicated taking into account the shipment.

Autocom CDP Pro Car

This device is manufactured in Sweden, so it is not surprising that the Scandinavians are producing an option for both passenger cars (Pro Cars series) and trucks (Pro Trucks). An original scanner made in Sweden is rarely found on the domestic market, but there will be no problems with buying a Chinese counterpart sold under the name CDP Pro Car + Pro Trucks. That is, it is a two-in-one device equipped with two adapters. The cost of such a universal Chinese autoscanner is about 6 thousand rubles, but if you want and persist, you can find options with significant discounts. Of course, this unlicensed device is equipped with pirated software, but its functionality is in no way inferior to the original. The only problem may arise with updating drivers for external devices, but for such a budget model, this, you see,

Obdkcan JD906

The best display of the menu
Price for Aliexpress: from 3 307 rubles.
Rating (2020): 4.6

Diagnostic tools are rarely convenient. As a rule, they have a standard display of information in text format, which is not always easy to read. But on Aliexpress there are devices, the menu of which resembles the smartphone control system as much as possible. It is made in the form of symbols, and each function is accompanied by its own icon. We can say that this feature is not so important, but in the absence of the Russian language, the user can easily work with the device and not experience difficulties in reading the data.

Now for the functionality. Here it is standard. The device is able to diagnose the condition of the engine, brake system and electrical wiring. There is a data storage system. Memorizing the results of diagnostics and comparing them with new incoming data. But there is only one drawback – the relatively high price. In this category, you can already find a professional tool, but this is far from it.

Launch Creader V+

We have become accustomed to the fact that most electronic stuffing products today are manufactured in China. The Creader V + model is no exception – for an amount of about 4 thousand rubles, you purchase a stand-alone device with a built-in display that does not require connection to computer peripherals. Of course, for such a price, there is no need to expect extended functionality, but support for the capabilities provided by the basic OBD-2 protocol is present here. What the Creader V + scanner can do:

read errors from the on-board computer and store them in memory when the device is turned off;
provide the data received from the ECU in a symbolic / graphic form;
make fuel injection adjustments.

As for the reliability and stability of the device, the scanner does not cause any particular complaints, but a rather meager set of features can upset, especially for professionals.

ELM327

Under this name, on the Russian market, you can find adaptive autoscanners produced by a variety of Chinese companies. Roughly speaking, the abbreviation ELM is not a trademark in the usual sense of the word – it is a generic name for mid-price auto scanners from the Middle Kingdom (that is, unlicensed). The ELM327 model may have slightly different functionality, but most models connect to a computer or smartphone via a Bluetooth connection, allowing you to receive all the necessary diagnostic information in text or graphical form. Drivers for the device provide the ability to work on all modern platforms – Windows / Android / iOS. In a certain context, ELM327 can be called the best OBD2 scanner in the amateur segment, which allows you to perform the following tasks:

display the main indicators of the engine and service systems (voltage level in the on-board electrical network, fuel consumption, engine speed, coolant temperature);
generate and display in graphic mode a diagram of the engine operation;
display in Russian transcription the main errors identified by the on-board computer during the diagnosis of the transmission, power unit, ABS and other vehicle systems, regardless of the brand / model of the vehicle.

Considering the low cost of the device (about 2 thousand rubles) and its versatility, purchasing an ELM327 will be a good way to solve troubleshooting problems for both novice car owners and drivers with many years of experience. In any case, for personal needs, the purchase of an expensive device (a professional autoscanner can cost up to 20% of the price of a new car) is an act, to put it mildly, irrational.

Sources used and useful links on the topic: https://DriverTip.ru/zhizn/kak-podkljuchit-i-polzovatsja-prilozheniem-torque.html https://WiFiGid.ru/obzory-raznyh-ustrojstv/kak-polzovatsya-elm327 https://elm3.ru/instruktsii/torque-pro-rukovodstvo https://moyidorogi.ru/elm-327/ https://mastershuma.ru/torque-lite-kak-polzovatsja/ https://DriverTip.ru /tovary/kakoy-diagnosticheskiy-skaner-obd2-oshibok-vybrat.html https://markakachestva.ru/aliexpress/1821-luchshie-diagnosticheskie-skanery-s-aliekspress.html

Post source: lastici.ru