Automotive scan tools and the modern car

but in the modern vehicle automotive scan tools are all about what's going on under the bonnet.

They provide valuable insight into the complex engine management systems that power modern vehicles, and give mechanics an indication of where an error can be found, and exactly which components need fixing.

Using automotive scan tools properly can take much of the guesswork out of pinpointing a particular problem, making it much less likely that you'll need to claim on your mechanics insurance due to repair work gone awry.

In the first instance, automotive scan tools usually provide a fairly general overview of the engine, when it was last serviced, and its rate of fuel consumption; then comes arguably the most useful function of these tools, which is to indicate where a fault or problem might occur.

This could be anywhere from the electronics to the air filters, in the engine itself or relating to the fuel supply, and incorporating other important characteristics like the running temperature of the car.

Aside from avoiding mechanics insurance claims, automotive scan tools can have a direct positive impact on your earnings, as they vastly speed up the pace at which you can diagnose engine problems and start on the work to repair them, with the focus firmly on the specific damaged components.

They are more than just computer programs; they incorporate the expertise of entire programming teams, not to mention the real-world experience of potentially many hundreds of mechanics, putting you within reach of expertise no one person could ever hope to amass in a single lifetime.

Different scan tools are suited to different vehicles, and this is especially the case if you use the manufacturers' own tools, which might be demanded of you if you are an authorised mechanic for a specific brand.

But there are also more general testing tools available on the market, which can work with multiple different marques and models, and these will typically recoup their investment much faster, allowing you to enjoy the extra profits that come from fixing engine faults faster and with greater confidence.

From extra earnings, to fewer mechanics insurance claims due to mistakes in repair work, modern technology is helping mechanics to keep pace with the growing complexity of engine management systems, and is arguably making it easier than ever to find the fault in a broken engine.