Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 OBD-II scanner review

Innova CarScan Inspector 5310: Specs

Size: 6.9 10 3.four 10 1.2 inches
Weight: ten ounces
Live information: Yes
Display type and size: Color, ii.8 inches
Number of keys: ix
Bluetooth & app: Yeah
Handheld: Yes
Warranty: i year

Innova's CarScan Inspector 5310 OBD-II automotive diagnostic scanner improves on its predecessor, the Innova CarScan Advisor 5210, by calculation the ability to reset the oil-maintenance light merely keeps the ability to connect via Bluetooth as well as a cablevision.

The Innova'south phone and tablet apps, repair suggestions and access to part pricing gear up it apart from the rest of the OBD-II scanner crowd.

The Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 may non accept it all, but this $140 scanner should satisfy most weekend mechanics short on fourth dimension. It's one of our two Editor's Choices among the all-time OBD-II scanners.

Read on for the rest of our Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 review.

Innova CarScan Inspector 5310: Pricing and availability

At $140, the Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 is an excellent value considering it has all the major features you would want in an amateur mechanic'south OBD-II scanner. By contrast, the $100 Innova CarScan Counselor 5210 lacks the power to plow off the oil light while the $330 Innova CarScan Pro 5610 adds high-finish items like resetting the battery indicator and monitoring the transmission temperature.

Innova CarScan Inspector 5310: Design

At half-dozen.9 x 3.4 10 1.2 inches and 10 ounces, the blackness CarScan 5310 should easily fit within a automobile'south glove compartment. It's 38% smaller and 60% lighter than the SeekOne SK860. Unfortunately, information technology lacks the SK860's rugged design, ribbed hand grips and carrying example.

The CarScan 5310'south 2.8-inch color screen and visually oriented operating software combine to display everything from alive data to fault codes to a pre-inspection check. Between the screen and the 9-button interface, the scanner's three LEDs show a permanent mistake (ruby), intermittent mistake (yellow) or a clean sweep (greenish).

Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 in hand — (Epitome credit: Tom's Guide)

As good every bit it is, the CarScan Inspector 5310 takes some getting used to. The interface uses odd abbreviations for its buttons, like LD for Live Data and Chiliad for the Main Card. Yet, using the CarScan 5310 is efficient once you go the hang of information technology.

Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 app — (Image credit: Innova)

A handheld scanner at heart, the Car Browse 5310 also has built-in Bluetooth communications to link information technology with a telephone or tablet and integrate online cloth. It links to the Innova RepairSolutions ii app on your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet.

The app provides manufacturers' technical service bulletins, maintenance schedules and even predictive failure warnings to prevent a major component from breaking.

Innova CarScan Inspector 5310: Operation

The CarScan 5310 correctly identified the years and models of both of my cars, but I needed to manually enter each car's mileage. I easily institute their vehicle identification numbers (VINs).

The scanner was able to run cylinder-pressure and balance tests, as well every bit a charging-arrangement examination that can help provide peace of listen to an possessor of an older car.

The 5310 goes a step further than nearly other OBD-II scanners for drivers who want to alter their own oil. The scanner can plow off the oil-maintenance light, a task that many other scanners can't do.

The CarScan 5310 showed its abilities when I linked it to my Samsung Galaxy Note 20 smartphone. The RepairSolutions 2 app not merely merges instructional videos to show you lot how to fix what's incorrect with the vehicle simply provides links to purchase the parts you'll need. My favorite characteristic was the Predictive Repair section, which gives odds on what might break adjacent, forth with a repair guess.

The Innova plant the oil-temperature fault I manually introduced on my 2014 Audi A4 AllRoad, then explained which function was causing the trouble and gave the mistake a severity gene. The scanner was besides able to plow off the Check Engine light.

Innova CarScan Inspector 5310: Setup

After I plugged the CarScan 5310 into my car's OBD-2 port, it linked with my automobile'southward reckoner in less than 10 seconds. The 62-inch cablevision is long enough to reach into the car'due south engine bay and is permanently connected to the scanner. There's also a microUSB port for updating the scanner's firmware.

Nonetheless, unlike Topdon's ArtiDiag 500 scanner, the CarScan 5310 lacks a battery to run on its ain power, so you'll have to continue information technology plugged into the OBD-II port.

The CarScan 5310 comes with a startup booklet that has a QR code for grabbing the phone and tablet apps. Innova besides has a detailed manual bachelor online that explains the ins and outs of the device. The scanner comes with a ane-year warranty.

Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 review: Bottom line

A crossover between handheld and Bluetooth OBD-II scanners, the $140 Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 is a cracking value for amateur mechanics. The scanner has the ability to diagnose the basics but also plow off the oil lite, and the companion app includes repair hints and provides access to parts.

In other words, the Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 tin can help any backyard mechanic for far less than what a professional scanner might cost.