If you have a Fiat or a Chrysler, you want to be sure that your car will stay in excellent condition for years to come. Fiat is one of the most fun brands out there, making small, zippy vehicles that are a pleasure to drive.
To ensure that you’ll get the most out of your ride, you’ll want to buy an OBD2 scanner. These devices are built to allow you to monitor the health and wellness of your car by diagnosing issues with the engine.
Because Fiat and Chrysler are somewhat specialty brands, you want to be sure that your scanner will be compatible. We’ve compiled a list of the top devices that should work for your ride.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
TOP PICK!  |
1. Autel Maxidas DS808
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VIEW ON AMAZON |
BUDGET PICK!  |
2. Innova 3160g
|
VIEW ON AMAZON |
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3. WITECH DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
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CHECK LATEST PRICE |
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4. TOAD
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VIEW ON AMAZON |
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5. LAUNCH CREADER VII+ CRP
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VIEW ON AMAZON |
Our Recommendations for Fiat and Chrysler
1. Autel Maxidas DS808
While most car owners buy an OBD2 scanner to save a trip to the mechanic, you can become your own mechanic with this device. The DS808 is a professional-grade machine, which enables you to do a lot more than you might think possible.
Live Data Testing
One of the best things about Autel Maxidas is that you can see your car’s performance in real time. Not only will this help you figure out what’s going on underneath the hood, but you can save and compare data to spot potential maintenance issues.
MaxiFix and Other Maintenance Apps
The reason this scanner is professional-grade is that you can monitor multiple cars at once, as well as find repair manuals. This way, you can not only save money by avoiding the mechanic when a light comes on, but you can figure out how to get your car back into shape.
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
Overall, this is an incredible OBD2 scanner, and it will allow you to do a lot more with your vehicles than most other units. Also, because you have access to a wide range of makes and models, it will work for you whether you have Fiat or Chrysler.
2. WITECH DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
The reason this model is at the top of our list is because it’s specific to the Chrysler brand. In many cases, getting a scanner made for your particular car is ideal because you can be sure that you’ll find the right codes. You can also read this engine codes complete list for more information.
This model is not necessarily the best option for you, but if you want to get a Chrysler-specific scanner, this is going to be an excellent choice.
Works on Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep
Since Fiat is an Italian brand, many scanners don’t have its codes installed. In this case, the device works only on Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep models, so you’ll have to look up Fiat elsewhere.
That being said, it comes standard with Chrysler’s CAN diagnostic codes, which came about when OBD2 started (1996). Thus, if your car is older than that (pre-1990), you’ll have to get an additional scanner to get the right codes.
Tablet and Scanner Combo
What we like most about this device is that it has its own laptop/tablet. This way, you can be sure that you can read and diagnose the codes and any issues going on with your vehicle. Best of all, everything comes in a rugged carrying case.
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
Overall, this is a decent scanner if you have a Chrysler. While it doesn’t come with as many features as other models we’ve seen, it’s perfect for Chrysler owners who want to stay connected to their car. Also, the quality of the materials is excellent.
3. TOAD
OBD2 scanning was originally designed to allow you to monitor your car’s smog emissions, as well as provide insight into the check engine light. With that in mind, TOAD is one of the top-rated scanners in the world. Let’s see why.
ECU Diagnostics and Tuning
With many modern OBD2 scanners, you can see your vehicle’s performance in real-time. However, TOAD goes a step further by allowing you to fine-tune your car by adjusting settings in your ECU.
Although this feature is only available for newer models (ones with an onboard computer), the potential is incredible.
Full Suite of Maintenance and Repair Manuals
Like with the DS808, this is another professional-grade scanner. What sets it apart is the fact that you can find repair manuals for all makes and models (it’s compatible with every car we’ve seen).
Thus, if you want to be more involved in your vehicle’s maintenance, this is the scanner for you.
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
Compared to other OBD2 scanners that just monitor your engine, this is by far the most comprehensive and useful. While it can be a bit expensive, the compatibility and the lifetime updates make it worthwhile.
4. LAUNCH CREADER VII+ CRP
When it comes to OBD2 scanners, many cost-effective models like this one are designed to be fast and easy to use. If you’re just concerned with monitoring your vehicle without doing much in the way of repairs, this can be an ideal choice.
Compact Design
One of the best features of this scanner is its size and portability. It’s small enough where you can keep it in your glove compartment at all times, meaning that you can check your car’s health wherever you are.
Fortunately, it also has a decent-sized screen, so don’t worry about having to squint to see the codes.
Freeze Frame Data
As we mentioned, many modern OBD2 scanners will allow you to monitor your car in real time. This model also does that, but with Freeze Frame data, you can get a snapshot of all of your vehicle’s systems at once.
Better yet, you can save these snapshots and compare them to each other over time. Doing this will enable you to see how your car is working and which parts are wearing down the fastest.
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
Overall, the simplicity of this device is what makes it ideal. While it doesn’t have as many Fiat and Chrysler codes as other scanners, it should have enough for most users.
5. Innova 3160g
When it comes to handheld OBD2 scanners, Innova is one of the leading brands. This is an excellent choice if you’re on a budget, as it will perform a wide range of diagnostic services.
Reset Engine, Oil, TPMS, and Other Lights
Although OBD2 was designed for the engine only, units like this one give you a lot more flexibility when checking on your car’s health.
By being able to monitor all of your vehicle’s systems, you can get a more complete picture of how well it’s doing, as well as figure out how to fix various issues as they arise.
Stream and Record Live Vehicle Data
As with other modern scanners, this one allows you to record your car’s performance in real time. This feature comes in handy when you can go online and see repair manuals, like Innova lets you do.- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
This is an excellent scanner for both casual and hardcore car enthusiast. You can diagnose all sorts of problems and make sure that your ride is in pristine condition. Also, this device is super easy to use.
FINAL VERDICT
If you’re serious about maintaining your Fiat or Chrysler vehicle, then we highly recommend the Autel Maxidas DS808. Since this is a professional-grade model, you can be sure that you’ll be able to not only monitor your car, but keep it in excellent condition.
The downside of the DS808, however, is that it’s expensive. Thus, if you’re on a budget, we suggest buying the Innova 3160g. This is a decent handheld model that can do a lot more than most other OBD2 scanners. While it’s not as comprehensive as Autel, it’s perfect for casual car enthusiasts.
