On the Road to Repairs: Exploring the V310 OBD II Car Diagnostic Tool

At Do Space, many of the tech kits available for checkout are inspired by feedback from our patrons. Often, these suggestions come after someone encounters a problem that could be solved with a little help from technology. That’s exactly how we ended up adding the V310 OBD II Car Diagnostic Tool to our inventory. A patron approached the information desk with a suggestion, sharing their experience with a less-than-reliable scanner and recommending a better option for us to consider. After reviewing the suggestion, we added it to the collection—and just a week later, that same patron used the scanner to diagnose and solve their own car issue.

Curious to see how easy it was to use, I decided to check out the V310 OBD II Car Diagnostic Tool and give it a try for myself.

Design and Setup

The OBD II scanner is a simple, all-in-one tool with a handheld unit on one end and a plug on the other. This plug connects to your vehicle’s diagnostic port. If you’re not sure where that is, I’d recommend looking up its location in your car’s manual (or YouTube). In most cases, it’s located beneath the driver’s side dashboard. You might have to crouch down a bit to spot it, but it’s usually visible once you get low enough.

One of the great features of this tool is that it’s powered directly by your car. So, if the device turns on, you know it’s properly connected.

Using the Scanner

After plugging the device into my car, I checked to make sure it was reading data. One of the first things it can detect is your vehicle’s unique identification number (VIN)—and sure enough, it pulled up the correct VIN for my car.

Next, I checked for any stored diagnostic codes. The scanner didn’t find any, which is good news! If there had been any codes, the tool would have allowed me to clear them. This is especially helpful for clearing out “false positive” codes. For example, I was hoping to clear a code related to my tire pressure indicator sensor, which was damaged during a routine repair. However, this code didn’t show up on the scanner. My guess is that this device primarily reads engine-related codes, so it might not pick up certain types of issues, like sensor errors unrelated to engine performance.

It’s worth noting that while clearing codes can be useful, I wouldn’t recommend doing so without confirming that the codes are false or harmless. Clearing codes without understanding their cause could potentially hide an actual problem.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the OBD II scanner is incredibly user-friendly and performs many of the same functions as more expensive, professional-grade tools. It’s rugged, accessible, and perfect for diagnosing engine issues and similar problems. Whether you’re a DIY car enthusiast or just trying to figure out why your “Check Engine” light is on, this tool makes it easy to take matters into your own hands.