{"id":9734,"date":"2021-02-09T19:36:57","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T18:36:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=9734"},"modified":"2021-02-09T19:36:57","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T18:36:57","slug":"diagnostics-tool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/02\/09\/diagnostics-tool\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose the Right Diagnostics Tool for Your Fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo: Diesel Laptops<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Fleets have a variety of options when it comes to selecting a diagnostic tool.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to aftermarket diagnostic tools, fleets have several options to choose from.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tyler Robertson, CEO of Diesel Laptops, categorizes them as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Handheld units that read basic codes<\/strong>. \u201cThe basic tools will read codes, but usually they can only read \u2018generic\u2019 codes like SAE codes rather than OEM codes,\u201d Robertson says. These tools usually cost $500 or less.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Import tools.<\/strong> These range from $2,500 to $4,000. He says they are easy to use and are self-contained, but may not have the technical support a fleet needs.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Professional-level multi-brand tools<\/strong> \u201cwill do 99% of what OEM software will do,\u201d he says, but they come with a $7,500 to $10,000 price tag. However, these tools allow a fleet to do the same things a dealer can do diagnostic-wise, Robertson explains.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Dave Covington, chief technology officer for Noregon, divides this way: OEM tools, aftermarket basic scan tools, aftermarket fault-to-fix tools, and remote diagnostic tools.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The basic tools are often handheld, Covington says, and they allow the fleet to get a general idea of what is going on with the vehicle. \u201cThese are good for a sanity check,\u201d he says. \u201cThey help the fleet understand what\u2019s going on with the vehicle before they take it to a repair facility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    The fault-to-fix tools have the ability to holistically diagnose the entire vehicle, says Ben Osborne, Noregon\u2019s marketing communications manager. \u201cAnd they help you move through the diagnostics to the repair itself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Covington describes remote diagnostic tools as the new kid on the block that are used \u201cto reach out and touch a truck remotely.\u201d They allow a technician to use the same diagnostic process for a truck on the road as they do for a truck in the shop.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Select a diagnostic tool that quickly finds the problem. Photos: Noregon<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Assess operations and ask the right questions<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Before purchasing any piece of diagnostic equipment, a fleet needs to assess its needs. For example, if all your trucks are from one manufacturer, an OEM tool likely makes the most sense, Robertson says. \u201cBut if you have every make and model under the sun, you probably can\u2019t afford to purchase separate tools for each type of truck in the fleet.\u201d In this case a multi-brand tool may be a better choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Covington says fleets need to decide why they want a scan tool. \u201cDo you just want to look at the truck and be able to decide which repair facility to take it to, or do you want to do repairs yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Alan Tomlinson, director of key accounts at Trimble, says fleets need to decide if they want a tool that reads engine codes only or one that \u201ccan read the rest of the controllers on a vehicle, like the ABS controller, battery power monitor or body controller.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Once a fleet has determined what it wants to do with the tool, it can then begin researching various options.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Some questions to ask tool manufacturers include:<\/span><\/p>\n