I have received several queries about the OBD2 scan tool. One question in particular that I receive regularly is - can an OBD2 scan tool be left attached to the car engine at all times?
At First, Know What is the utility of an OBD2 Scan Tool
OBD2 or On Board Diagnostics tool, as the name states is used to check the performance of a car and the driving nature of a driver. The device collects data from the Engine Control Unit or ECU and gives out information about the fuel consumption, engine temperature, mileage, vehicle RPM and other real time driving updates.
Now the discussion is about the concern - is it harmful to leave the OBD2 scanner tool switched on forever! When any diagnostics tool is used to get the readings of a vehicle, they draw power from the car battery for operation. The power required is negligible that can be approximately 150mA maximum when the vehicle is in running condition when it is turned off the power required for proper functioning further drops and sustains at 10mA. This should not be bothering.
The crisis may occur when the OBD2 scan tool starts to interfere with ECU reading. The simple ones only read the data and don’t fiddle with the ECU reading even when switched on for longer times. But, the ones that are smarter and are connected to a smartphone, there are chances that it will create an issue in driving. It is better to check the description before purchasing an OBD2 scan tool.
