# ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner Review
If you are looking for a reliable and affordable OBD II scanner to diagnose your car’s engine problems, you may want to consider the ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner. This is a handheld device that can easily read and clear diagnostic trouble codes, view live data, freeze frame, I/M readiness, and vehicle information. It works on most 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and newer vehicles that are OBD II compliant. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, pros and cons of the ANCEL AD310 scanner, and compare it with some similar products on the market. We will also provide some representative customer reviews and a purchase link for your convenience.
Features of the ANCEL AD310 Scanner
The ANCEL AD310 scanner has a 2.5-foot long cable that connects to your car’s 16-pin OBD II DLC (Data Link Connector). It has a 2.4-inch LCD screen with white backlight and contrast adjustment that displays the codes and data clearly. It has four buttons: up, down, enter, and exit, that allow you to navigate the menu and operate the device easily. It supports multiple languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Finnish, Dutch, Russian and Portuguese.
The main functions of the ANCEL AD310 scanner are:
– Read Codes: This function allows you to read the current, pending, or permanent diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the engine control unit (ECU). It also shows the code definitions on the screen, so you don’t need to look them up online or in a manual.
– Erase Codes: This function allows you to clear the DTCs and turn off the check engine light (MIL) after you have fixed the problem. However, this does not mean that the problem is solved permanently. If the problem persists, the MIL will come back on and the codes will be stored again.
– Live Data: This function allows you to view the real-time data of various sensors and parameters in your car’s engine system. You can switch between different modes of display, such as text mode and graph mode. You can also record and playback the live data for further analysis.
– View Freeze Frame: This function allows you to view the snapshot of the engine conditions when a fault occurs. It shows the DTCs and the relevant data at the moment of the fault. This can help you identify the possible causes and solutions of the problem.
– I/M Readiness: This function allows you to check the status of the emission-related monitors in your car. It shows whether they are ready or not for an emission test. It also shows the number of monitors supported by your car and how many of them have been completed.
– Vehicle Info: This function allows you to retrieve the vehicle identification number (VIN), calibration identification (CALID), and calibration verification number (CVN) from your car’s ECU. These information are useful for registration, inspection, or repair purposes.
Benefits of Using the ANCEL AD310 Scanner
The ANCEL AD310 scanner is a great tool for DIYers, car enthusiasts, or beginners who want to diagnose their car’s engine problems by themselves. By using this scanner, you can:
– Save money: You don’t need to pay for a mechanic or a professional scan tool to read or clear the codes. You can also avoid unnecessary repairs or parts replacement by knowing what is wrong with your car before taking it to a shop.
– Save time: You don’t need to wait for an appointment or a diagnosis from a mechanic. You can scan your car anytime and anywhere as long as you have access to its OBD II port. You can also fix some minor problems by yourself without going to a shop.
– Learn more: You can learn more about your car’s engine system and how it works by reading the codes and data from this scanner. You can also improve your troubleshooting skills and knowledge by finding out the causes and solutions of the problems.
Pros and Cons of the ANCEL AD310 Scanner
The ANCEL AD310 scanner is not perfect, but it has many advantages over its disadvantages. Here are some of them:
Pros:
– Easy to use: The device is plug-and-play, meaning that you don’t need to install any software or app on your phone or computer. The interface is simple and intuitive, with clear instructions and definitions on the screen. The buttons are responsive and ergonomic.
– Affordable: The device is reasonably priced for its functions and performance. It is much cheaper than most professional scan tools or mechanic fees.
– Compatible: The device works on most 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and newer vehicles that are OBD II compliant. It supports multiple languages and protocols.
– Accurate: The device reads and clears the codes accurately and quickly. It also displays the live data and freeze frame accurately and clearly.
– Durable: The device is made of high-quality materials and has a sturdy and compact design. It has a very thick and flexible cable that can withstand bending and pulling. It also has a protective rubber case that can prevent scratches and damage.
Cons:
– Limited: The device can only diagnose the engine system, not other systems like ABS, SRS, or transmission. It also cannot perform advanced functions like bi-directional control, coding, or programming.
– No update: The device cannot be updated with new software or firmware. It may not work on some newer or modified vehicles that have different protocols or codes.
– No print: The device cannot print the codes or data directly. You have to take a picture of the screen or write them down manually.
Comparison with Similar Products
The ANCEL AD310 scanner is not the only OBD II scanner on the market. There are many other similar products that have different features, prices, and reviews. Here is a comparison table of some of them:
| Product | ANCEL AD310 | FOXWELL NT301 | AUTOPHIX OM126P | AUTEL AL319 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 | $66.99 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| Functions | Read/Clear Codes, Live Data, Freeze Frame, I/M Readiness, Vehicle Info | Read/Clear Codes, Live Data, Freeze Frame, I/M Readiness, Vehicle Info, O2 Sensor Test, On-Board Monitor Test, Component Test, DTC Lookup | Read/Clear Codes, Live Data, Freeze Frame, I/M Readiness, Vehicle Info, O2 Sensor Test, On-Board Monitor Test, EVAP Test, Battery Test | Read/Clear Codes, Live Data, Freeze Frame, I/M Readiness, Vehicle Info |
| Compatibility | Most 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and newer OBD II compliant vehicles | Most 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and newer OBD II compliant vehicles | Most 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and newer OBD II compliant vehicles | Most 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and newer OBD II compliant vehicles |
| Languages | English, German, French, Spanish, Finnish, Dutch, Russian and Portuguese | English, French, German, Spanish and more | English, German, French and more | English, Spanish and French |
| Update | No update available | Free lifetime update online via USB cable | Free lifetime update online via USB cable | Free lifetime update online via USB cable |
| Screen | 2.4-inch LCD with white backlight and contrast adjustment | 2.8-inch TFT color screen with hot keys for quick access | 2.4-inch TFT color screen with hot keys for quick access | 2-inch TFT color screen with one-click I/M readiness key |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 stars from 38,677 ratings on Amazon.com | 4.4 out of 5 stars from 9,014 ratings on Amazon.com | 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,017 ratings on Amazon.com | 4.6 out of 5 stars from 10,614 ratings on Amazon.com |
As you can see from the table above, the ANCEL AD310 scanner has the lowest price among the four products. It also has the highest rating and the most reviews on Amazon.com. However, it also has the least functions and no update available. The FOXWELL NT301 scanner has the most functions and the largest screen among the four products. It also has free lifetime update online via USB cable. However, it also has the highest price and the lowest rating among the four products. The AUTOPHIX OM126P scanner has some additional functions like EVAP test and battery test that the other three products don’t have. It also has free lifetime update online via USB cable. However, it has a smaller screen and fewer languages than the other three products. The AUTEL AL319 scanner has a similar price and rating as the ANCEL AD310 scanner. It also has free lifetime update online via USB cable. However, it has fewer functions and a smaller screen than the ANCEL AD310 scanner.
Representative Customer Reviews
Here are some representative customer reviews of the ANCEL AD310 scanner from Amazon.com:
– “This is a great little tool to have in your car tool box. It is very easy to use and gives you all the information you need to diagnose your car’s engine problems. It saved me a lot of money by avoiding unnecessary trips to the mechanic.”
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