Can I Use My Phone as a Car Diagnostic Tool?

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Yes, your smartphone can become a powerful car diagnostic tool when paired with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi OBD-II adapter. These small devices plug into your car's diagnostic port and wirelessly connect to your phone. Popular apps like Torque, BlueDriver, and OBD Auto Doctor display trouble codes, live sensor data, and performance metrics on your screen. Use our OBD-II code lookup tool to understand what codes mean. Basic adapters cost $15-30, while premium options offer enhanced features. Phone-based diagnostics work well for reading and clearing check engine codes and monitoring fuel economy. However, they can't access all systems like professional shop scanners can. See also: DIY car diagnostics.