Professional Bi-Directional Diagnostic Scan Tool | GWSMARTBT

I always wanted a bidirectional scan tool like this but was looking for one that had lifetime updates, without any catches and could handle a wide variety of vehicles. When I heard that GearWrench was offering this model at such an affordable price, I knew this was the one. I owned GearWrench tools in the past and I was very satisfied with them so I was hopeful that it would be the case here. They did not disappoint. But let's talk about my experience in chronological order. Delivery was quick and on time. I installed the app on my Android phone (a 2025 Motorola Moto G Power) and attempted to connect the device to my 2021 Mazda6. It would not connect. I changed phones (Samsung A12) but that did not connect either. I reinstalled the app on the Motorola - nothing. I called customer service - nothing. I was considering returning it but decided to poke around a bit first. After a few minutes I got a prompt from the phone saying that I was to grant the app permission to access Bluetooth. I allowed it and voila - it connected! It has been smooth sailing thereafter. Works like a charm - for the most part. The first need I had of it was with my daughter's 2013 Mazda6. It came to me with a flashing airbag light. BT identified the problem as a passenger airbag module, but did not specify further. I attempted to clear the code to no avail. I attempted to reset the module, to no avail. At that point, I reached for my laptop, connected FORScan (a third party dedicated Ford/Mazda software) to the car and it was able to give me more details and was able to reset the module. I was a little disappointed that BT couldn't handle it, though. My next use of it came with my JDM Nissan Note X DIG-S. I had just done a transmission fluid and engine oil change and noticed that the Auto Stop/Start light in the instrument cluster was flashing and the feature was disabled. I reached for BT and it told me that the electric transmission fluid pump was experiencing low pressure of 0.5 MPa. That's supposed to be normal for the car at idle (according to the Nissan workshop manual) but the car and BT were saying otherwise. I wanted to reset the transmission module but I decided to leave it alone for now. It eventually cured itself. My latest use of it came a few days ago when a coworker's JDM Toyota Voxy had the dashboard light up with warning lights - typical for Toyota. I connected BT and it said that the vehicle had a number of issues including the ABS and the valve control system. I cleared the codes and all has been well since. Very strange, but BT saved the day. I haven't used all the features so far, but I believe it has the ability to put you on the right path if you ever encounter an issue, though it may not be able to solve it. I'm giving it 5 marks in spite of the issue with the airbag module, though. This is so because that feature may actually be a Mazda-proprietary feature that just was not available to BT as yet. I have done several updates since then so perhaps it is now possible. Pros: Updates are free for life Customer service agents available via phone Handles makes not even sold in the North America Cons: Bluetooth connection is slower than wired devices Unable to automatically detect any vehicle that I have connected it to (Mazda, Toyota, Nissan, BMW) It must be registered to only one phone at a time (customer service has to be contacted if moving to another) May not be able to reset all modules

Very solid unit for the price. Initial setup is quick and simple - mine on an Android based phone. Normal Play Store app install and then a few demographic entries for registration and license key activation. First use then goes into vehicle specific data downloads. Expect 5-10 minutes as this unit has compatibility with many vehicles makes and models. Once initial config of the app is done and the unit is plugged into the vehicle OBD port the app connected quickly. Once connected to the unit the app gives you the option of doing vehicle specific diagnostics either automatically or manually. The auto detect function worked well for multiple vehicles - BMW, 2015 and 2024 Subarus. Speed of the diagnostic scan depends on the actual vehicle as each of mine varies but all were extremely fast when compared to my other scanners (hardware and software based). The initial scan auto detects VIN, make, model, etc. and then scans all of the vehicle's available modules. Once scanned you can view a large amount of module parameters and states. A few examples - for the 2015 Subaru it was stated on a different forum that the GW tools do not have CVT fluid temp, which is key to proper filling procedure. Well, I can confirm that it does w 1/10th degree resolution. While I was in there, I was able to read and clear all errors across many modules. While in the transmission module, the BT unit has a broad number of good monitors for many different states (e g., shows live state of each gear) and a nice feature is it gives the normal value ranges for the numeric monitors. Just to check, I went into a few other modules and was please to see the same broad range of monitors (for example, live state of brake light switch) which makes troubleshooting and ruling out certain components so much easier. Unlike other scanners, you don't have to setup a data display screen to see every value. You do have the option to monitor the value trends and then generate a report. For the BMW, it actually has BMW error codes vs P codes and a large number of diagnostics when compared to my other BMW specific scanner. The unique item I wanted to try was the FCA Autoauth function which allows you to bypass the firewall on newer FCA vehicles (e.g., Fiat, Chrysler, Ram, etc.). Tried the unit in my 2019 Ram 1500 - unit auto prompts to enter an Autoauth account - I was able to quickly login w my Autoauth account and it was able to get through the secure gateway to do full diag and actuation - this is a big bonus. Aside from diagnostics, the unit has a robust set of functions that you can perform (of course these are vehicle specific). As an example, with a button push or two I was easily able to place the emergency brake in maintenance mode on all my vehicles with this unit. All in all, a pretty decent unit for the money especially for multiple makes. Of course this does not do what it isn't designed for - so it is not a programmer and doesn't claim to be. So for those with dealer lever tools (like ISTA for BMWs) this won't give you module layouts, troubleshooting plans or maintenance plans - but what it advertises itself as it did an exceptional job across my 4 different vehicles.

Absolutely horrible and would never recommend to anyone, worked once for me, and convienetly the next time I use it one day after the warranty and return is up it locked me out and said I needed the activation code again and could not scan anything. Biggest waste of over $100 on a scanner just spend the money and get an autel.

Fantastic piece of equipment. It’s small and simple. It does regular fault scan and it also has a deep scan option. The deep scan option is valuable to retrieve codes that are deeper than the original issue. Standard fault code is searching for a reason that your check engine light is illuminated. The deep scan option is to find any unrelated DTC that your car has that isn’t normally as important as the ones immediately stored on your vehicle to cause the CEL. Both options can erase the fault codes. It has a certain amount of live data you can view. Not too much. Basic info for general components type of thing. There are some other options you can view and see in the app settings but it’s more preference than control. However; there is a form of control option but your vehicle must support it. Overall, great product. It’s cheap and reliable. Bluetooth, and it’s better than visiting your local store to retrieve codes.

I cant begin to start with how good this little tool is. After set up it cleared some codes i couldnt with other scanners. It live data had very little lag and the few actuations i tried were working well.

Note que en 2 talleres de tres a los que llevé mi vehículo los escáneres eran incapaces de leer los códigos en mi auto, así que compré uno de la marca astro ai. Este tampoco pudo leer los códigos que están en el tablero. Así que compré este escáner, y resulta que sí es compatible con mi SUV. De hecho puedes descargar paquetes para trabajar con muchas marcas diferentes. Sí es algo lento, pero tampoco es algo que sientas que se te va la vida esperando. No he explorado sus funciones completamente pero tiene muchas funciones especiales, como TPMS, asientos, frenos, etc. A mí me sirve para resolver muchos problemas que ni en talleres profesionales me habían podido resolver, así que le doy 5 estrellas

I did not receive a card with activation code!

It checks lots of systems. Also, it was able to change the TPMS IDs in my Lexus.

Works well Was able to retract e brakes on a Subaru