Skanyx Car Diagnostics: Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started with Skanyx is simple. First, sign up for an account on our website. Then, download the Skanyx app on your smartphone. Connect the exclusive Skanyx 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 (actual time varies by phone). No technical knowledge needed—Skanyx is designed for everyday drivers, not mechanics.

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, connect the exclusive Skanyx adapter to 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 Skanyx 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. Free plan displays essential data: RPM, speed, coolant temperature, and basic fuel info. Pro unlocks the full suite: up to 100+ parameters per your vehicle (varies by make/model/year). Pro gives you access to everything your vehicle exposes through OBD2—fuel pressure, oxygen readings, transmission temps, and more. 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.

Free includes: read fault codes, clear codes, and basic plain language explanations. Pro adds: full Live Data streaming (vehicle‑supported), AI Chat (fair‑use limits may apply), Health Monitor (0‑100 health scores), and Failure Prediction (AI flags elevated risk). Note: Pre‑Purchase Inspection (PPI) is a separate one‑time purchase (€49), not included in Pro. 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. Pro adds Live Data, AI Chat (fair‑use limits may apply), Health Monitor, and Failure Prediction. PPI is a separate one‑time purchase.

The Starter Bundle (€109) gives you the Skanyx Connect adapter + 1 year of Pro subscription for less than buying them separately. If you're serious about car diagnostics, it's the best value. After year 1, Pro subscription is €69/year (founder pricing). The adapter itself works forever; you just renew the annual Pro membership if you want premium features. Compare plans.

Pro includes one car by default. You can add more vehicles with the Extra Vehicle Add‑on (limit 5 cars). Manage vehicles in the app settings so your Pro features follow the cars you’ve added.

After your 1 year of Pro expires, you can either renew (€69/year founder pricing) or revert to Free (forever). The adapter itself never expires—you own it permanently. No hidden fees, no forced upgrades. Your choice.

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 (€109 Starter Bundle; €69/year Pro founder pricing) 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). Pricing varies by region and over time. Best for: Drivers who want clear AI insights at competitive pricing. Compare plans.

The Starter Bundle (€109) includes the Skanyx Connect adapter and 1 year of Pro subscription. The Pro subscription (€69/year founder pricing) includes: Failure Prediction with AI-powered risk assessments, Health Monitor with 0-100 health scores, Live Data streaming, and AI Chat for conversational diagnostics. Both plans include basic fault code reading and clearing. Pre‑Purchase Inspection (PPI) is a separate one‑time purchase (€24.99) available to all users.

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 basic functionality. There are no cancellation fees or penalties.

We don't currently offer a free trial. However: Early beta users get up to 30% lifetime discount. Our Starter Bundle (€109) offers excellent value with adapter + 1 year Pro subscription. All hardware purchases have a 30-day money-back guarantee. For special trial requests, email support@skanyx.com.

Yes! Early beta users may receive lifetime discounts (up to 30%). We also offer special pricing for the Starter Bundle which includes both the adapter and Pro subscription at a discounted rate. Check our pricing page for current promotions and early access 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.

Hardware: 30‑day returns (like‑new condition) and a 2‑year limited warranty. Digital services (subscriptions, PPI credits): refunds are evaluated case‑by‑case if the service was not delivered as described or for duplicate charges. You can cancel subscriptions anytime; Pro access remains until the end of your current period. 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.