Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteConnected cars may collect information about a vehicle, its location and driving, and how occupants use connected features. Depending on the vehicle, services, and settings, data may be handled by the automaker, connected-service or infotainment providers, and third-party device makers; it is not true that every car collects every type or shares it with every recipient.
What data can a connected car collect?
The categories vary by vehicle and service. The Federal Trade Commission’s January 2018 staff report, drawing on a 2017 workshop, describes examples across several systems—not a current checklist for every model.
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- Location and driving: precise location, speed, direction, and driving behavior such as speeding or hard braking.
- Vehicle operation: diagnostics about vehicle subsystems, performance, and fuel economy.
- Connected-phone and infotainment use: contacts accessed from a paired phone, browsing habits, and app use.
- Biometric information: fingerprint or iris patterns used for authentication in some systems.
Collection can occur through manufacturer services, infotainment systems, or third-party devices plugged into the vehicle’s diagnostic port. Some information may remain in the vehicle; other information may be transmitted to support a connected feature. Ask the automaker or service provider which applies to your car. FTC staff report
Why is the data collected?
Information can support navigation and real-time traffic, emergency assistance, diagnostics, infotainment, traffic management, safety communications, and insurance services. A feature’s immediate purpose does not by itself identify every later recipient or use. The FTC report also discusses potential secondary uses, such as targeted advertising, that may raise privacy concerns. FTC staff report
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- CEL Doctor: The ANCEL AD310 is one of the best-selling OBD II scanners on the market and is recommended by Scotty Kilmer, a YouTuber and auto mechanic. It can easily determine the cause of the check engine light coming on. After repairing the vehicle's problems, it can quickly read and clear diagnostic trouble codes of emission system, read live data & hard memory data, view freeze frame, I/M monitor readiness and collect vehicle information
- Sturdy and Compact: Equipped with a 2.5 foot cable made of very thick, flexible insulation. It is important to have a sturdy scanner as it can easily fall to the ground when working in a car. The AD310 OBD2 scanner is a well-constructed mechanic tool with a sleek design. It weighs 12 ounces and measures 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches. Thanks to its compact design and light weight, transporting the device is not a problem. The buttons are clearly labelled and the screen is large and displays results clearly
- Accurate Fast and Easy to Use: The AD310 scanner can help you or your mechanic understand if your car is in good condition, provides exceptionally accurate and fast results, reads and clears engine trouble emission codes in seconds after you fixed the problem. This device will let you know immediately and fix the problem right away without any car knowledge. No need for batteries or a charger, get power directly from the OBDII Data Link Connector in your vehicle
- OBDII Protocols and Car Compatibility: Many cheap scan tools do not really support all OBD2 protocols. AD310 scanner as it can support all OBDII protocols such as KWP2000, J1850 VPW, ISO9141, J1850 PWM and CAN. This device also has extensive vehicle compatibility with 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and Asian cars, light trucks, SUVs, as well as newer OBD2 and CAN vehicles both domestic and foreign. Pls confirm with our customer service whether it is compatible with your vehicle before purchasing
- Home Necessity and Worthy to Own: This is an excellent code reader to travel or home with as it weighs less and it is compact in design. You can easily slide it in your backpack as you head to the garage, or put it on the dashboard, this will be a great fit for you. The AD310 is not only portable, but also accurate and fast in performance. Moreover, it covers various car brands and is suitable for people who just need a code reader to check their car
Who may be able to access it?
Depending on the system and the choices made, data may be handled by the automaker, a connected-service provider, an infotainment platform or app, or a maker of a plug-in device. Insurers or consumer reporting agencies may be involved in some arrangements, but that is not established as a practice across all automakers.
Some vehicles also send safety messages to nearby vehicles. The FTC report describes messages that can include speed, direction, and brake status; safety-critical communications can have different privacy choices from non-safety features, such as information accessed after a phone is synced with infotainment. FTC staff report
Rank #2
- Multi-Functions - Practical Multi-Functions OBD2 code reader features built-in OBD2 DTC lookup library, which help you to determine the cause of the engine light, read code, erase code, view freeze frame, I/M ready, vehicle information, data flow, real-time curve, get vehicle speed information, calculate load value, engine coolant temperature, get engine speed.
- Wide Capability - Supports 9 protocols compatible with most 1996 US-Based, 2000 EU-Based and Asian cars, and newer OBD II & CAN domestic or import vehicles. Supports 6 languages - English,German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian.
- 2.8" LCD Display - Designed with a clear display 2.8" Large LCD screen - white backlight and contrast adjustment. No need any battery or charger, OBD reader gets the power directly from your vehicle through the OBDII Data Link Connector.
- Compact Design - Car diagnostic scanner is equipped with a 2.5 feet long cable and made of a very thick flexible insulator.There are 6 buttons on OBD2 Scanner:scroll up/down,enter/exit and buttons that quick query VIN vehicle number& the DTC fault code.
- ABS / Airbag codes NOT Supported - It is able to read and clear check engine information which is part of OBDII system, but it cannot work with non-OBDII systems, including ABS / Airbag / Oil Service Light, etc.
What the GM and OnStar case establishes
The FTC’s January 2025 announcement alleged that General Motors and OnStar collected precise location and driving-behavior information without adequate notice and affirmative consent, then shared it with consumer reporting agencies. The agency said some users’ location was collected as often as every three seconds. That is an allegation about some GM users, not a typical or universal collection rate. FTC announcement, January 2025
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On January 14, 2026, the FTC announced a finalized order against General Motors LLC, General Motors Holdings LLC, and OnStar LLC. It bars the companies from disclosing covered geolocation and driver-behavior data to consumer reporting agencies for five years. For the order’s 20-year term, it also requires affirmative express consent for covered collection, use, and sharing, subject to exceptions; processes for U.S. consumers to request a copy of their data and seek deletion; an option to disable precise-geolocation collection where the vehicle has the necessary technology; and an opt-out of geolocation and driver-behavior collection, subject to limited exceptions. These are requirements for the named companies, not a general U.S. rule for all connected cars. FTC final-order announcement, January 2026 FTC case docket
Rank #3
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- 【Sm-og Check Helper – Know Your Pass/Fail Status Before the Test】With dedicated one-click I/M readiness hotkeys and a simple Red-Yellow-Green LED indicator, you’ll instantly know if your vehicle is ready for annual testing. Built-in speaker provides clear audio feedback. No guesswork—just confidence before you head to the test center. One less thing to worry about when inspection day comes
- 【Advanced OBDII Modes – O- 2 Sensor & EVAP Testing】NT301 go beyond basic code reading with enhanced OBD2 modes. Run an EVAP system check to assess fuel tank condition, and use the O- 2 sensor test to optimize air-fuel ratio, boosting fuel economy, cutting em- issions, and saving you money at the pump. The code reader for cars and trucks is like having a mini em-issions lab in your glove box
- 【Live Data Graphing – Spot Engine Issues in Real Time】View and log live sensor data in easy-to-read graphs with this OBD2 scanner diagnostic tool. Monitor ox- ygen sensors, fuel trims, coolant temperature, RPM, and more to spot suspicious values instantly. This obd scanner gives you professional-grade insight without the pro price tag—a feature you won’t find on basic $20 car code readers
How to check your car’s data practices
- Find the current privacy notice. Check the automaker’s and connected-service provider’s notices for the specific vehicle and services you use.
- Review connected-service settings. Look for controls covering location, data sharing, and connected features. Check whether a feature requires consent or can be disabled, and note any safety-related limits.
- Check paired phones and apps. Find out what information is accessed when you pair a phone and whether infotainment apps or other services receive it.
- Ask about outside programs and devices. Check whether an optional insurance program or a device plugged into the diagnostic port collects or receives driving data.
- Before transferring or selling the vehicle, remove personal access. Follow the vehicle manual and account instructions to remove profiles, paired phones, saved destinations, and connected-service accounts. There is no universal reset procedure established here, so do not assume one action removes every copy of data.
What to compare across vehicles and services
- Which data categories are collected, and whether the information stays in the vehicle or is transmitted.
- Which recipients are named and what secondary uses are described.
- What consent, opt-out, and disabling settings exist, including limits for safety-critical functions.
- How to request access or deletion and what retention periods apply.
- What controls apply to paired phones, apps, and optional plug-in devices.
The FTC materials provide a U.S. federal perspective, but they do not establish current practices or retention periods for every automaker, nor do they settle laws in other countries or states. Consult the notices and settings for your vehicle and services.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【A MUST-HAVE SCANNER TOOL FOR DIYERS】 - VDIAGTOOL VD10 car code reader is an incredibly useful, handheld obd2 scanner for each car owner or hobbyist, even for those with little to no experience when it comes to vehicle mechanics! Similar to a fixd car diagnostic tool, using this car diagnostic scanner is extremely easy. All you have to do is attach it to your car OBDII port and you can diagnose car problems in seconds! Read Codes (DTCs); Clear Codes; Live Data; View Freeze Frame; I/M Readiness; Vehicle Information.
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Rank #4
- Understand Your Check Engine Light – The ANCEL AD410 OBD2 scanner helps everyday drivers quickly read and clear engine-related fault codes, view code definitions, and understand why the check engine light is on before visiting a repair shop. With 42,000+ built-in DTC lookups, this car code reader helps reduce guesswork and makes basic vehicle diagnostics easier for beginners and DIY users
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- Live Date & Real-time Vehicle Insights – View real-time engine data such as RPM, coolant temperature, fuel trim, oxygen sensor readings, and other available OBD2 parameters directly on the screen. These live data readings help you better understand how your vehicle is running, spot abnormal patterns, and make more informed repair decisions instead of relying only on a warning light
- Smog Check Readiness At A Glance – Use the I/M readiness function before a smog check or emissions inspection to see whether your vehicle’s monitors are ready. This OBD2 code scanner helps you confirm if recent repairs have brought the system back to a ready state, reducing the chance of failed inspections, retests, wasted trips, and unnecessary inspection fees
- Works With Most OBD2 Vehicles – Compatible with most 1996 and newer U.S.-based OBD2 cars, SUVs, and light trucks, as well as many 2000 and newer EU/Asian OBD2 vehicles. Supports major OBDII protocols including CAN, ISO9141, KWP2000, J1850 VPW, and J1850 PWM. This automotive diagnostic scanner is designed for wide vehicle coverage; please check compatibility with your vehicle before purchase
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