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Testing and measuring devices are tools that check one specific condition on a car — an air leak in the engine system, the light transmission of window tint, or whether the brake fluid is still serviceable. Each of them provides information a diagnostic scanner cannot give you.
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Smoke machine — finding where air escapes
A smoke machine pumps harmless vapour into the intake system, the exhaust or the cabin air ducting. Wherever there is a hole, smoke comes out and the leak becomes visible.
This is exactly where a scanner is powerless. The computer will show you a fault code — a lean mixture, for example — but it only tells you that a leak exists. Where it is — a vacuum hose, a manifold gasket or the intercooler — the code does not say. That is the question a smoke machine answers.
It is also used to check headlights, the boot and the cabin for water ingress when moisture gets inside and the cause is unknown.
Tint meter — measuring window film
A tint meter measures what percentage of light passes through the glass. The reading is shown as a percentage: the lower the number, the darker the window.
The most common measuring mistake: the meter must sit on a single pane, not be used from outside the car so that light passes through two windows. To measure a side window, lower the door glass halfway and clamp the meter onto that one pane — otherwise the reading will show the glass as roughly twice as dark as it really is.
Technical inspection limits change from time to time, so check the current threshold before relying on a reading.
Brake fluid tester
Brake fluid is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from the air. As water builds up, the boiling point drops, and under heavy braking vapour bubbles form in the system. The result is a pedal that sinks.
The tester does not measure the age of the fluid; it measures the percentage of water in it. That distinction matters: two-year-old fluid in a dry climate may still be perfectly serviceable, while one-year-old fluid in a humid one may already need replacing. A measurement is more reliable than a calendar.
The tester works with DOT3, DOT4 and DOT5.1 fluids.
Which one to choose
For a workshop — the smoke generator or the Solary smoke machine.
For inspection and tinting work — the Inspector II for professional accuracy, or the tint meter for everyday checks.
For routine maintenance — the brake fluid tester, the most affordable tool in this group.
For other inspection equipment see the diagnostic tools section.
Frequently asked questions
What is a smoke machine used for?
It pumps harmless vapour into the engine system and shows where air is escaping. A scanner only tells you a leak exists; the smoke machine finds the exact spot.
Does the smoke damage the engine?
No. The machine uses a dedicated harmless fluid that leaves no residue and does not harm components.
What does a tint meter measure?
It measures what percentage of light passes through the glass. The lower the reading, the darker the window.
How do I measure window tint correctly?
The meter must clamp onto a single pane. If light passes through two windows during the measurement, the reading will show the glass as far darker than it is. Lower the door glass halfway to measure a side window.
What does a brake fluid tester measure?
It measures the percentage of water in the fluid, not its age. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, which lowers its boiling point and reduces braking performance.
How often should brake fluid be checked?
A measurement is more reliable than a calendar. In humid climates fluid absorbs moisture faster, so checking once a year is sensible practice.
Can one fluid type replace another?
DOT3, DOT4 and DOT5.1 have different boiling points. Always top up with the type specified by the manufacturer — the tester works with all three.
How much do these tools cost?
The brake fluid tester is the most affordable at around 150 GEL. Smoke machines start from 475 GEL, and a professional tint meter reaches 830 GEL.
