Skanyx Car Diagnostics: Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started with Skanyx is simple. Download the SKANYX app on your smartphone (coming soon to iOS and Android). Connect a any Bluetooth OBD2 adapter to your vehicle's OBD-II port (usually located under the dashboard). Launch the app and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your adapter. Setup typically takes under a minute. No technical knowledge needed—Skanyx is designed for everyday drivers, not mechanics. We recommend the vLinker MC+ (~€55) for the best experience.

OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) is a standardized diagnostic system found in most passenger vehicles made after 1996 in the US (EU petrol 2001+ and diesel 2004+). The OBD2 port is typically located under the dashboard on the driver's side. It's a 16-pin connector that allows diagnostic tools to communicate with your vehicle's computer system. Skanyx uses this port to read diagnostic codes, monitor live data, and provide health assessments.

First, plug any Bluetooth OBD2 adapter into your car's OBD2 port (usually under the dashboard, driver's side). It's a 16-pin connector that takes 10 seconds to plug in. Then open the Skanyx app on your phone, tap 'Connect,' and the app will automatically detect and pair with your adapter. The app usually pairs quickly; setup typically takes under a minute, depending on your phone. No cables, no technical knowledge needed.

Live Data shows real-time information from your vehicle's sensors as you're driving. All users get full live data access — up to 100+ parameters depending on your vehicle (varies by make/model/year). You can see RPM, speed, coolant temperature, fuel pressure, oxygen readings, transmission temps, and everything your vehicle exposes through OBD2. It's like having a professional diagnostic screen in your pocket.

Skanyx reads data and uses standard OBD-II commands, including clearing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). It doesn’t reprogram your vehicle. Clearing codes resets emissions readiness monitors; if the underlying issue remains, the light will return.

They're the same thing! 'OBD-II' and 'OBD2' are just different ways to write it. OBD = On-Board Diagnostics, Version II (the second generation standard used since 1996). Some write it 'OBD-II,' others 'OBDII' or 'OBD2.' All refer to the same diagnostic system that Skanyx uses.

Skanyx works with most OBD2-equipped passenger vehicles: US (1996+), EU petrol (2001+) and diesel (2004+). Coverage varies by make/model and the parameters (PIDs) your vehicle exposes. EV support varies; some models (including certain Teslas) may require specific connectors and expose limited data. Learn more about pre-purchase inspections.

Yes. Skanyx connects via Bluetooth (wireless) to the OBD2 adapter—your car doesn't need WiFi or built-in Bluetooth. The adapter creates a direct Bluetooth connection to your phone. The Skanyx app itself needs internet only for features like failure prediction and AI Chat (these use our cloud servers). Basic code reading works offline.

SKANYX works with any standard Bluetooth OBD2 adapter (ELM327-based). All features, including Health Monitor, Failure Prediction, and PPI, are available with any adapter. That said, adapter quality does affect accuracy. Faster adapters (10+ readings per second) give our AI more data to work with, which means more precise predictions and health scores. Slower adapters still work, but results may be less detailed. Our top recommendation is the vLinker MC+ (~€55), which delivers fast, consistent data for the best experience. But if you already have an adapter, just plug it in and go.

Yes! If it's a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter (ELM327-based), it will work with SKANYX. All features are available regardless of which adapter you use. When you connect, SKANYX will show you your adapter's data speed. Faster adapters give more accurate AI results, but even basic adapters will run Health Monitor, Failure Prediction, and everything else. No features are locked based on adapter type. If you want to upgrade later for better accuracy, we recommend the vLinker MC+ (~€55).

It can. Our AI analyzes live sensor data in real time, so more data points per second means more accurate predictions. A fast adapter (10+ readings/second) gives our AI a richer picture of your engine's behavior compared to a basic adapter (1-2 readings/second). Think of it like a camera: a basic camera still takes photos, but a better one captures more detail. All our features work with any adapter. Recommended adapters just give you sharper results.

Free gives you fault code reading, clearing, live data as you drive, and 5 AI Chat queries per month. Pro (€12.99/month or €69/year) unlocks Health Monitor (0-100 health score), Failure Prediction, unlimited AI Chat, historical data tracking, and export reports. Pre‑Purchase Inspection (PPI) is available to all users at €24.99 per report — Pro members save 15%, and annual Pro subscribers get 1 free PPI per year. Most casual drivers are happy with Free; serious enthusiasts use Pro; buyers use PPI for inspections. Compare Free vs Pro plans.

Failure Prediction uses AI to analyze your vehicle's sensor patterns and flag elevated risk in advance. Typical prediction windows: 2-4 weeks for battery/alternator (200-400 miles of typical driving), 3-6 months for transmission wear. Accuracy varies by component: Battery predictions (90-95%), Alternator predictions (85-90%), Engine components (75-85%), Transmission (80-85%). All predictions are estimates based on observed patterns and are not guarantees. High-confidence predictions are more reliable than low-confidence ones. Always confirm with a mechanic before major repairs. Learn more about Failure Prediction.

Fault codes are like warning lights—they only appear when something is BROKEN. Health Monitor is preventive: it constantly grades your car's overall health (0-100 score) and flags degrading systems BEFORE they fail. A code says 'Problem exists NOW'; Health Monitor says 'This will be a problem in X miles.' Read our Health Monitor guide.

Free has no time limit. You can use the Free plan indefinitely—read codes, clear codes, get plain‑language explanations, and stream live data as you drive. Pro adds unlimited AI Chat, Health Monitor, Failure Prediction, historical data tracking, and export reports. PPI reports are available to all users as a separate purchase. Pro members save 15%, and annual Pro subscribers get 1 free PPI per year.

Any Bluetooth OBD2 adapter (ELM327-based) works with SKANYX. All features are available regardless of adapter. For the most accurate AI results, we recommend tested adapters that provide fast data: vLinker MC+ (~€55, best value), Vgate iCar Pro 2S (~€30, budget pick), or vLinker MS (~€65, performance). The app shows your adapter's data speed when you connect. Compare plans.

Yes! Your SKANYX subscription works with most OBD2 vehicles (1996+ US, 2001+ EU petrol, 2004+ EU diesel). Simply plug your adapter into a different car and connect. There's no per-vehicle limit on the app—use it on as many cars as you like.

The app is free to download with basic features. Pro costs €12.99/month or €69/year (save 56%). PPI reports are €24.99 each (or €59.99 for a 3-pack). You also need a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter (not included, ~€25-65 depending on model). No hidden fees—cancel anytime.

All three are reputable, but differ in focus: BlueDriver (adapter + subscription) targets professional diagnostics; less emphasis on AI or failure prediction. FIXD (adapter + subscription) offers basic fault code reading; limited live data/advanced diagnostics. Skanyx (Free plan or Pro at €12.99/month) includes AI‑powered failure prediction (early warnings on supported vehicles), Health Monitor (0‑100), live data (up to 100+ sensors, depending on vehicle support), plus standalone PPI (€24.99 one‑time). SKANYX works with most Bluetooth OBD2 adapters you may already own. Best for: Drivers who want clear AI insights at competitive pricing. Compare plans.

Free: Read & clear fault codes, plain-language explanations, live data as you drive, AI Chat (5 queries/month). Pro (€12.99/month or €69/year): Unlimited AI Chat, Health Monitor (0-100 health scores), Failure Prediction, historical data tracking, and export reports. PPI reports are available to all users from €24.99 — Pro members save 15%, and annual Pro subscribers get 1 free PPI per year.

Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. When you cancel, you'll continue to have access to all Pro features until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account will revert to the Free plan. There are no cancellation fees or penalties.

You don't need a trial—SKANYX has a generous Free plan that lets you read codes, clear codes, get plain-language explanations, and use live data indefinitely. If you want AI features, Pro starts at just €12.99/month with no commitment.

Yes! The annual Pro plan (€69/year) saves 56% compared to monthly billing (€12.99/month). PPI multi-packs also save money: 3-Pack (€59.99, save 20%) and 5-Pack (€89.99, save 28%). Check our pricing page for current offers.

Skanyx collects vehicle diagnostic data (fault codes, sensor readings, health metrics) to provide our services. We also collect account information (email, name) for account management and communication. We may collect usage data to improve our services. All data collection is outlined in detail in our Privacy Policy. We never sell your personal data to third parties. See our Privacy Policy.

Yes, your data is encrypted and stored securely. We use industry-standard security measures to protect your information. Vehicle diagnostic data is processed securely and is only used to provide you with diagnostic insights and recommendations. You can review our complete security practices in our Privacy Policy. Review our Privacy Policy.

No, we never sell your personal data or vehicle diagnostic information to third parties. Your data is used solely to provide you with Skanyx services and improve our platform. We may share anonymized, aggregated data for research purposes, but this never includes personally identifiable information.

Absolutely not. We never sell your vehicle data, diagnostic codes, or any personal information to third parties. We use your data only to provide services and improve our AI models. Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest. See our Privacy Policy for full details. See our Privacy Policy.

We collect fault codes, sensor readings, and health metrics to provide diagnostics, along with limited usage data to improve the app. We retain diagnostic history while your account is active so you can track trends over time. This data is securely encrypted. You can delete any scan or your entire history anytime by contacting support@skanyx.com. Upon account deletion, all your data is permanently removed within 30 days. See our Privacy Policy for full retention details.

First, verify the adapter is fully inserted into the OBD2 port (it should click). Restart your phone and the adapter (turn on car, wait 10 seconds, turn off). Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and you've allowed Skanyx permission to use Bluetooth in your phone's settings. If still no connection, try forgetting the adapter in your phone's Bluetooth settings and re-pairing. If issues persist, email support@skanyx.com—we'll troubleshoot or offer a refund within 30 days.

Reading and clearing codes works offline—you just need a phone with the app and a Bluetooth connection to the adapter. Last 50 scans are saved locally. Features like Failure Prediction, AI Chat, and syncing your data to the cloud require internet. Data syncs automatically when you reconnect. Use Skanyx offline for basic diagnostics; stay connected for premium AI features.

We translate technical OBD2 codes into plain English for everyday drivers—not mechanics. For example, 'P0171' might be 'System Too Lean (Engine)' in raw form, but we explain it as 'Your engine is running too thin on fuel. Common causes: vacuum leak or fuel pump issue.' Our AI provides context and DIY next steps. This makes diagnostics actionable, not confusing. Learn more about OBD2 codes.

Yes, clearing codes is a standard operation. You can clear a code yourself with Skanyx—it resets the diagnostic flag and emissions readiness monitors. If the underlying problem isn't fixed, the code will return. Mechanics often clear codes to check if they reappear; this does not reprogram your vehicle.

Nothing immediate—your car will keep running. But fault codes indicate problems that will eventually worsen. Ignoring codes lets damage accumulate. Skanyx's Failure Prediction helps you fix issues BEFORE they become expensive by detecting problems early—typically 2-6 weeks in advance depending on the component.

Pro subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime; Pro access remains until the end of your current billing period. PPI credit refunds are evaluated case‑by‑case if the service was not delivered as described or for duplicate charges. OBD2 adapters are purchased from third-party retailers — contact the retailer for adapter returns or warranty claims. See our Refund & Warranty page for details.

You can reach our support team by emailing support@skanyx.com. We typically respond within 24-48 hours during business days. You can also visit our Contact page to submit a support request through our contact form. For urgent issues, please mention 'URGENT' in your email subject line.

Skanyx works with most OBD2-equipped passenger vehicles: US (1996+), EU petrol (2001+), EU diesel (2004+). Coverage and available parameters vary by make/model/year. EV support varies by model. If you experience issues, contact support@skanyx.com—we'll help troubleshoot, and if your case isn't supported, we'll make it right per our 30‑day policy.