sms <
scharf...@geemail.com> wrote
>> I've used Torque for several years - although I don't need to use it
>> very often. The Lite version is free but may have ads (can't remember) -
>> but the Pro version only costs peanuts - currently just under 5 US dollars.
>
> I've used Torque Pro for many years. Well worth the cost.
Understandably, whether or not an app is "well worth the cost" is dependent
on a few things, like your approach to privacy where it's sort of like
saying I installed drilled & slotted rotors and it's well worth the cost -
point being it's in the eye of the beholder... but still - I ran a few
searches and that's the app that comes up most it seems (along with the
freebie Torque Lite, even though the product is relatively poorly rated on
the Google Play Store (3.6 and 4.1) for some reason that I didn't explore).
*Torque Lite (OBD2 & Car)* by Ian Hawkins, Contains ads
free,has ads,req gsf,rated 3.6star in 50.5K reviews w/ 10M+Downloads
<
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torquescan>
*Torque Pro (OBD 2 & Car)* by Ian Hawkins, $5 payware
$5,noads,req gsf,rated 4.1star in 76.4K reviews w/ 1M+Downloads
<
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque>
> I've found that the best ELM327 adapter is the one from Carista. The
> lower cost ones from Aliexpress often have connection issues.
That name brand ELM327 reader is probably good to have as there's no way of
telling just by looking at the thing whether it works well or not.
> Carista also sells vehicle-specific software, for some makes, that goes
> beyond the generic OBD-II capabilities and that lets you program a bunch
> of features of the vehicle. But I've never purchased that software.
For my bimmer I have INPA, EDIABAS, NCSExpert, NCS Dummies, DIS/GT1,
EasyDIS, & Progman software, which runs off the Windows XP PC. :)
Oddly enough though, I find the plug in OBDII readers easiest to use.
> Before I go for a smog check I always check that all the self-tests on
> the vehicle are complete. On one of my vehicles that I don't drive a lot
> I disconnect the battery when not in use so the self-tests all need to
> complete before I go for a smog check.
Steve lives in Cupertino where three types of smog checks are required on
cars older than about 7 or 8 years (as I recall), one of which is an EVAP
test on vehicles older than 1995 where it helps to fill your gas tank (as
they have to fill it with the "blue" gas - which I think is "argon").
The second type is for vehicles older than 2000, which require running on
the dynamometer and the third type is 2000 and newer which just requires an
OBDII test off the cockpit port under the dash.
What Steve is referring to as a "self test", I'm not sure what he means,
but depending on the year, you're allowed a certain small number of
specific readiness monitors (often called "I/M") to be unset so it's always
best to drive the car for the requisite "drive cycle" to set the monitors.
They will instantly fail a vehicle if you've cleared the codes such that
all the readiness monitors are unset - so - as Steve noted, it's important
to check the OBDII before taking it to the shop for the smog testing.
I know the drive cycle for my bimmer inside and out where a LOT of people
do NOT understand the drive cycle - much like they don't understand how an
operating system is updated, as they guess that they're all the same.
They're not.
Every brand has their own very specific drive cycle, where while some can
be done in about 11 miles in toto (i.e., the original LA freeway circuit),
most take about fifty or so miles and two days to complete (as one test is
from a stone-cold start for example, as the secondary air pump has to be
operated).
There are times when I've had problems with the readiness monitors such
that it takes over a hundred miles to finally set them - as the details get
complicated in terms of what other sensors in the vehicle have to be (e.g.,
even the altitude or the coolant temperature can prevent self tests).
I didn't finish testing the dozen free ad free apps yet, but I did install
Torque Lite which hasn't shown ads yet but I'm sure it will soon. Most of
the dozen apps were ditched because they only get one strike & they're out.
--
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