Using the Innova 5610 Advanced OBD2 Scanner as a DIY Car Enthusiast

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It’s no surprise that Innova’s intuitive DIY and vehicle products come in a range of applications. From the Innova 1000, a basic Bluetooth-enabled scanner that syncs with your phone, to devices like the Innova 5610 and tablet scanners such as the SD35. What rings most true is that there’s a tool for every available skill level, beginner to expert and professional. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re not interchangeable, you can use a high-grade solution as someone with little or limited knowledge of modern cars. But someone that doesn’t need to review or read live data could also get by with the Innova 1000, for example.

Naturally, a real question that I had before getting my hands on these devices is why someone with limited or self-taught knowledge would want one of the more advanced varieties. Is it really necessary to spring for the 5610 over the 5210 when you’re doing all your repairs yourself at home? The short answer is it depends. And the long answer? Also, it depends.

Because I own both the Innova 5210 and the Innova 5610, the latter being a step up overall, let’s take a closer look at these two devices, in comparison, to understand why you would want one over the other.

All about the data

Starting with the basics, the Innova 5210 and the Innova 5610 are near-identical on that front. Both plug into the OBD2 port on your vehicle, scan basic diagnostics information, output error codes from the car’s computer and connect with the RepairSolutions 2 app. The biggest difference is physical, as the 5610 is slightly larger and has a detachable cable versus the 5210’s integrated cable.

They’re both fast at scans, initial or subsequent scans, intuitive and user-friendly and have the standard tests and tools you’d expect. Both can check engine emissions, smog ratings, ABS brake codes, basic live data, battery information and do a couple of tests.

The true separation lies in what the 5610 offers for more advanced functions and readouts. It can pull SRS airbag codes, reset a variety of systems like the oil light or battery indicators, read engine, ABS, SRS, and tire pressure live data, conduct various routines and calibrations equivalent to mechanic or dealer-level tools, help with ABS brake bleeding, but most importantly it also does an all-system scan. The all-system scan is a one-shot, system-wide assessment tool that gives you every possible code, error or smidgen of information related to your vehicle’s core systems. In other words, it makes the scanning process super easy and comprehensive, whereas with the 5210 a lot of those scans, and tests, are separately managed. In my opinion, that alone is worth the buy-in.

What is the extra information good for?

As you can surmise, those scans don’t mean diddly-squat if the information they provide is not relevant, or worse yet, if you don’t know what the heck to do with it all. While I can’t really help you with the latter, what I can point out is that everything you learn with the 5610, and the other tools, too, really, offers a frame of reference for digging in deeper. For instance, let's say you come across an ABS brake code flagged with the tool. You are given enough information, both about the code and the problem itself, to take the details and track down a fix. You can do that however you prefer.

You can go online and Google exact error codes. Even then sometimes you’ll find unreliable results or untrustworthy forum posts from randoms. Instead, you can reference the vehicle’s user manual or online documentation. You can also use the RepairSolutions2 mobile app to find a specific fix. Sure, you might come to realize it’s a problem you can’t solve with the tools and resources you have in your garage, in which case you know to find a local mechanic or visit a dealership, and you still know precisely what’s wrong. That gives you more bargaining power when ordering service and keeps you in-the-know as to what’s going on with your ride.

Beyond the extra information from the tests and readouts, the 5610 is a bidirectional scanner which means it can also send commands to the car’s computer to reset, calibrate and change various settings. That’s something you would need to go to a dealership or experienced mechanic for normally.

What resets and calibrations are possible and why does it matter?

Some dealership-level routines and calibrations you can conduct include AC clutch, oxygen (O2) tests, fuel pump status, evaporative system tests, crank pattern learning, steering angle sensor (SAS) resets, ABS bleed resets, and more.

A lot of times, when you administer a fix or repair on your vehicle the resulting error codes remain flagged in the system. This can leave the respective dash lights on or potentially interact with other systems, which are otherwise working fine. More importantly, sometimes historic data is frozen, in which case a system reset is necessary, even for individual components or elements, like an ABS bleed reset, or a steering angle sensor reset. The Innova 5610 allows you to do just that, reset your car’s computer settings or stored data, in your garage or shop at home. There’s no need to head to a dealership or mechanic who has expensive proprietary systems and tools. And no need to pay an inordinate amount of money for something so simply achieved.

Even if you’re not comfortable doing something yourself, you have the information and the resources to seek out the proper support.

Innova 5610: Empowering your DIY repairs, calibrations and tasks

To bring it all home, if you’re never going to use some of the nuanced data and tools that the 5610 engages, then no, you don’t need an advanced tool — you can go with one of the simpler options. But if you do any kind of DIY repairs at home in your garage or shop, some of those extra features really make the difference, especially when it comes to troubleshooting. Even if you’re not the one administering the fix directly, you still gain the resources to make a more informed decision about what to do, whether that’s taking it in to a professional or calling friends and family with a little more knowledge. Plus, the real-time data allows you to check if repairs worked afterwards, no matter who does them, and check-in regularly to make sure your vehicle is performing as it should.

When you’re staring at a malfunctioning vehicle and you have no idea how to proceed, that’s never a good experience. But a tool like the Innova 5610 can vastly improve your understanding of your vehicle and its common problems. The truth is that every vehicle out there, cheap to expensive, will run into a problem someday. Are you ready for that and are you prepared to get to the bottom of the failure?

Compare the differences between the Innova 5210 and Innova 5610 yourself and then grab one for your toolset. Everyone should have a scanner handy. They don’t seem invaluable until something goes wrong, and then immediately, they’re priceless. Just stay away from those bargain OBD2 scanners with generic names.

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