Overview
Vehicle Compatibility
Compatible with All OBD2-compliant cars (passengers, light trucks, minivans, and SUVs)
- 1996 and newer vehicles sold in North America
- 2001 and newer petrol, 2004 and newer diesel vehicles sold in Europe
- 2006 and newer vehicles sold in Australia and New Zealand
For other countries, please see owner’s manuals or check the sticker under the hood that indicates it is OBD2-compliant.
App Compatibility
BlueDriver exclusively works with their app. You can’t use any third-party apps with it.
The app is free. And there is no app for Windows PCs, tablets, and phones.
Main Features
- Read & Clear Codes – Read/clear DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) including pending codes, and enhanced codes (such as ABS, SRS, Transmission, etc.) currently for Ford, GM, Chrysler, and Toyota only. Enhanced diagnostics are planned to be added to more manufacturers. According to Lemur Vehicle Monitors (a company that made BlueDriver and app), BMW is the manufacturer that will be available for enhanced diagnostics.
- Repair Reports – For each trouble code, you can get Repair Reports. It tells you Code Definition, Possible Causes, and Top/Frequently/Other Reported Fixes. Repair Reports are generated from over 4.3 million reported fixes that are well-organized for all makes and models.
- Freeze Frame Data – This is a snapshot of an engine’s condition at the moment a DTC is set. It consists of a set of data and gives you clues to a cause of DTC.
- Smog Check – Check if your car is ready for your state emission test. Depending on states, an emission test requires all or most of I/M monitor to be “complete” or “not applicable” to pass.
- Mode 6 – Advanced test results. They are similar to I/M monitors but more specified and detailed, showing not only “complete” or “NOT complete” but also Pass or Fail, minimum/maximum/actual values, misfire counts, etc.
- Live Data – Shows current data that is supported. Supported data varies by vehicle years and models. In general, newer vehicles are available to show more than older vehicles. You can customize a display. For example, you can choose multiple data sources you want and show in graph style, or single data source in gauge style and change colors, etc.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Work with iOS devices – Unlike most Bluetooth OBD2 scan tools, BlueDriver is compatible with iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.)
- Small and Compact Design – Small enough to not bother your driving and fit in a glove compartment. And a finger grip on its face makes it easy to plug into and unplug from OBD2 port.
- Enhanced Diagnostics – Retrieve ABS, SRS, Transmission codes for Ford, GM, Chrysler, and Toyota. A company is currently working on adding the feature to more manufacturers.
- Mode 6 – Advanced test results provides you more sophisticated diagnostics.
- Frequent Update – The company develops both a dongle and an app together. There is relatively frequent update.
Cons
- Expensive – Regular price is around $100.
- No Apps for Windows – The company currently has no plan to release an app for Windows.
- No Third Party Apps – BlueDriver exclusively works with their app. You can’t use Torque, DashCommand, etc.
Conclusion
Capable of Enhanced Diagnostics is a great advantage of BlueDriver. Although it currently supports for Ford, GM, Chrysler, and Toyota, Lemur Vehicle Monitor promises to add this feature to more manufacturers. A drawback is that the dongle is not compatible with any third party apps. So, if you want Torque’s features such as much more display customization or plan to use Windows PC with ScanXL app, BlueDriver is not for you. But if your primary purpose to own a scan tool is vehicle diagnostics and repairs, BlueDriver would meet your need.