Diagnostic Tools

At TechnoKing, automotive diagnostic tools for various purposes are available, used both for inspecting a car before purchase and in auto service, in the workshop, and for periodic assessment of a vehicle’s technical condition. In this category you can choose professional inspection cameras, paint thickness gauges, window tint meters, brake fluid testers, smoke-based inspection machines, and other measuring devices. A properly chosen diagnostic tool allows you to inspect a specific part of the vehicle more thoroughly and base your decision on real data.

What is an automotive diagnostic tool?

An automotive diagnostic tool is a device that makes it possible to check the condition of a specific component, fluid, surface, or system of a vehicle. Different devices have different purposes. A paint thickness gauge helps you inspect the vehicle body. An inspection camera lets you visually examine hard-to-reach spaces. A brake fluid tester is used to assess the condition of the fluid. A smoke generator may be needed to detect leaks in various systems. That is exactly why there is no single universal device for every type of automotive diagnostics.

Why is vehicle diagnostics important?

A problem in a vehicle does not always show an obvious symptom. Sometimes the car works normally, yet a certain part already needs additional inspection. When buying a used car, diagnostics is even more important. A car may look to be in good condition, yet part of the body may be repainted, a technical fluid may need replacing, or damage may exist in a hard-to-reach place. Vehicle inspection devices allow the customer to obtain more information about the car’s condition. This does not mean that each gauge replaces full professional diagnostics, but when used correctly it is a very effective way to obtain additional information.

Inspecting a car before purchase

Before buying a used car, it is advisable to inspect it in several respects. First of all, the condition of the body is often checked. For this, a paint thickness gauge is used. Then it may be necessary to visually examine the engine or another hard-to-reach part, for which an inspection camera is used. It is also possible to check the condition of the brake fluid. The window tint level and other relevant parameters can also be checked. The more real information you have about the vehicle, the more well-founded a decision you will make before purchase.

Paint thickness gauge

A paint thickness gauge is one of the most popular automotive diagnostic devices for inspecting a used car. With it, you can measure the thickness of the paint and lacquer coating on the vehicle body. If the values obtained on different parts differ significantly, this can be a reason for additional inspection. For example, a specific part may have been repainted or restored in the past. A paint thickness gauge is especially often used in the car buying and selling field, in auto services, and when inspecting a vehicle independently.

Paint thickness gauge for buying a car

When assessing the history of a used car, the condition of the body is one of the important factors. A professionally repainted part may be almost indistinguishable from the factory coating to the naked eye. A car paint thickness gauge allows you to take measurements at several different points and compare the data obtained. It is advisable to check each part in more than one place. For example, you can measure the doors, fenders, hood, roof, and part of the trunk. Making a final conclusion based on a single value is not recommended. It is important to compare the data obtained across the entire vehicle body.

Paint and lacquer thickness gauges

At TechnoKing, several different paint and lacquer thickness gauges are available. In this category you can find R&D TC 200, ETARI ET 700 Max, RD TC100, ET 360, and other models. Different devices may differ in working range, sensor type, supported surfaces, accuracy, and additional functions. Therefore, when choosing, it is advisable not to pay attention to price alone. Especially important is the type of vehicle body on which you intend to use the device and what capability you need.

Detecting filler on a vehicle

When repairing a vehicle body, filler is sometimes used, after which the surface is painted. Work done correctly can be very difficult to notice from the outside. A significant increase in the thickness of the paint coating can, in certain cases, indicate the presence of additional material. That is exactly why such gauges are often referred to as a filler gauge or a paint gauge. However, when interpreting a specific result, experience and comparison of data obtained at several different points are important.

Professional inspection camera

An inspection camera allows you to examine a place where it is normally impossible to look with the eye or where disassembling a part would be required. The device consists of a small camera, a flexible or steerable cable, and a screen. The camera is inserted into the relevant space and the image is shown on the screen in real time. During vehicle diagnostics, an endoscope can be used for visual inspection of the engine, pipes, cavities, and other hard-to-reach places. This is especially practical for professional auto services and mechanics.

Endoscope for inspecting the engine

To examine some internal parts of the engine, a full disassembly is not always the first necessary step. An endoscope for inspecting the engine allows the technician to insert a small camera into the relevant space and visually assess its condition. Such a method can be used to obtain additional information before a more complex disassembly procedure begins. An endoscope’s capability depends on the camera’s diameter, image quality, lighting, cable length, and the ability to control the camera.

Endoscope with a movable camera

In professional diagnostics, an endoscope with a movable head is especially practical. With an ordinary flexible camera, changing its direction is done by moving the cable. With a steerable camera, however, the user may be able to control the direction of the camera head. This significantly simplifies examining the needed part in a difficult space. At TechnoKing, RALCAM N306 and VEVOR endoscopes with a movable camera are available, as well as DEPSTECH, Teslong, and other professional models.

Inspection camera with a long cable

Cable length is one of the important characteristics when choosing an endoscope. A short cable is comfortable for working in small spaces of a vehicle. An endoscope with a long cable, on the other hand, may be needed to examine pipes, deep cavities, or a place located at a relatively long distance. TechnoKing’s range also includes a professional endoscope with a 15-meter cable. Such a device is not only of interest for automotive diagnostics; it can also be used in other technical work.

Smoke generator for car diagnostics

A smoke generator is an automotive diagnostic device used to detect the possible location of a leak in various systems. The device releases specially generated smoke into the system. If the tightness is compromised, the smoke will appear from the possible leak location. This allows the technician to localize the problem visually. A smoke machine is especially practical when a leak is so small that it is difficult to detect by eye or by other simple inspection alone.

Engine smoke machine

An engine smoke machine can be used to check the tightness of the relevant systems of a vehicle. Such devices are quite practical in auto services, because they simplify finding the location of a specific leak. At TechnoKing, both a smoke-based inspection machine and the Solary engine smoke machine are available. The corresponding smoke machine fluid is also available in this category. Any smoke generator must be used according to the procedure specified by the device manufacturer.

Smoke machine fluid

For the smoke generator to work, the appropriate smoke machine fluid is used. It is not recommended to use random fluid or fluid not permitted by the manufacturer in the device. The wrong material can affect both the quality of the smoke produced and the operation of the device itself. At TechnoKing, the appropriate smoke machine fluid is also available, which gives the customer the option to purchase the needed consumable separately.

Brake fluid tester

A brake fluid tester is used to check the condition of brake fluid. The device available at TechnoKing is designed to work with DOT3, DOT4, and DOT5.1 type brake fluids. The condition of the brake fluid is an important part of a vehicle’s technical maintenance. Over time, moisture content can increase in certain types of brake fluid, which affects its properties. A special tester allows you to quickly check the relevant fluid and obtain additional information about its condition.

Checking DOT3, DOT4, and DOT5.1 brake fluid

Not all brake fluids are the same. Therefore, when buying a tester, it is important to know which types a specific device can work with. The tester in TechnoKing’s category is designed to check DOT3, DOT4, and DOT5.1 type fluids. When using the device, you must follow its instructions and the requirements of the specific vehicle’s manufacturer. A tester’s result allows you to obtain additional information, but the full technical condition of the braking system cannot be determined by a single fluid test alone.

Antifreeze tester

One of the important fluids of the engine cooling system is antifreeze. To check its properties, an appropriate antifreeze tester or refractometer is used. A refractometer makes it possible to determine the relevant reading based on the optical properties of the fluid. Such a device is practical both for an auto service and for a customer who wants periodic control of the cooling system fluid’s condition. When using a specific refractometer, you must take into account its scale, calibration, and the types of fluids it is designed to check.

Refractometer for a vehicle

A vehicle refractometer can be used to check the relevant readings related to antifreeze. An optical refractometer works on a relatively simple principle. A small amount of fluid is placed on the appropriate surface and the user reads the result via a special scale. The exact procedure must be performed according to the specific device’s instructions. For an accurate measurement, prior calibration of the device may also be important.

Car window tint meter

By visually assessing a vehicle’s glass, it is not always easy to determine exactly how much light passes through the glass. For this, a window tint meter is used. The device allows you to check the light transmission of the glass and obtain a specific numerical reading. Such a meter can be especially of interest to auto services, providers of window tinting services, and customers who want to check the relevant parameter of a vehicle’s glass.

Tint meter for window tinting

A tint meter is a device for measuring the light transmission of glass. It is used to assess the relevant reading of a vehicle’s window tint. In TechnoKing’s category, both a tint meter and the Inspector II window tint meter are available. When choosing models, you should compare the technical data, measurement principle, working range, and comfort of use. If the obtained result is needed for an official purpose, the certification and calibration requirements of the specific device must be verified separately.

Vehicle inspection devices for auto service

Working with different types of vehicles in an auto service requires a variety of diagnostic devices. One customer may request a body inspection. Another may need examination of a hard-to-reach part of the engine. In another case, checking the brake fluid, antifreeze, or the system’s tightness is needed. Therefore, a wide set of vehicle inspection devices allows an auto service to perform different jobs more efficiently. In this TechnoKing category, several different diagnostic areas are precisely combined.

Diagnostic tools for vehicle appraisers

For a used-car appraiser, one of the most necessary devices is a paint thickness gauge. However, for a more thorough inspection, additional tools may also be needed. An inspection camera is used for visual examination of hard-to-reach parts. A brake fluid tester helps you assess the condition of the fluid. Other specialized gauges make it possible to check specific parameters of a vehicle. A combination of such tools creates a more complete picture of a vehicle’s condition.

Professional automotive diagnostic tools

For professional use, the requirements for a diagnostic device are higher. In an auto service, a tool may be used several times a day. In this case, accuracy, durability, comfort of use, and the functionality needed for the specific job are important. Professional automotive diagnostic tools should be chosen according to the jobs that are most often performed at the service. It is advisable to compare the capabilities of different devices in advance and take their technical characteristics into account.

Diagnostic tools for personal use

Not all diagnostic tools require a professional auto service to use. Some devices can also be used by a private car owner. For example, a paint thickness gauge is especially practical before buying a vehicle. A brake fluid tester can be of interest for periodic control. A refractometer also makes it possible to check the relevant technical fluid. However, to interpret the obtained result, you must know what the specific device measures and what significance the obtained data has.

How to choose an automotive diagnostic tool?

First of all, determine specifically what you want to check. If you are interested in the history of the vehicle body, you will need a paint thickness gauge. If you want to look into a hard-to-reach space, choose an inspection camera. If you want to detect air or another type of leak in the vehicle’s system, you may need an appropriate smoke generator. For the condition of brake fluid, an appropriate tester is used. And to measure window tint, a special tint meter or light transmission gauge is needed. After this, you should compare the accuracy, working range, and functions of specific models.

Car diagnostics at home

Checking certain elements of a vehicle’s general condition is also possible at home. For example, the user can measure paint thickness, check the relevant technical fluid, or examine a hard-to-reach place with an endoscope. However, it is important to know the limits of the capabilities of such an inspection. Automotive diagnostics under home conditions cannot in every case replace professional technical inspection. If the obtained data indicates a problem or you are not sure about interpreting the result, it is advisable to have the vehicle checked by an appropriate specialist.

How to inspect a used car?

When inspecting a used car, it is advisable not to rely on one specific factor. Check the body and the paint coating. Observe the condition of the engine and other technical parts. If necessary, use an inspection camera. Check the technical fluids. Carry out the appropriate computer and mechanical diagnostics with a specialist, if that is needed. A single device cannot tell you the full history of a vehicle. However, a combination of several different inspections significantly increases the amount of information you have about the car.

The advantage of using diagnostic tools

The main advantage of a special measuring device is obtaining objective data. Subjectively, it may seem to us that all parts of the body are painted the same. But a paint thickness gauge may record a difference. A fluid may look visually normal, yet the appropriate tester may give us additional information. A hard-to-reach place may not be visible from the outside at all, but an endoscope may give us the ability to visually examine it. This is precisely where the main practical value of automotive diagnostic tools lies.

Buying automotive diagnostic tools at TechnoKing

At TechnoKing, you can choose automotive diagnostic tools and vehicle inspection devices for various purposes. In this category, professional inspection cameras, paint thickness gauges, smoke generators, a brake fluid tester, window tint meters, and other specialized devices are available. If you are looking for a tool to inspect a vehicle before purchase, for an auto service, or for periodic control of your own car, first determine which parameter you need to check. Then compare the technical characteristics of the relevant products and choose a device suited to your work. Properly chosen diagnostic tools will help you obtain more real information about a vehicle’s condition.