Get the app
Guides

Using PitMate

Short guides for your first scan.

Getting started

  1. Install PitMate from the store (see Get the app).
  2. Find the 16-pin OBD-II port in your car, usually under the dashboard on the driver's side.
  3. Plug the dongle in and switch the ignition on. The engine does not need to run for a code scan.
  4. Open PitMate and pair with the dongle (next guide).
  5. Tap Scan. PitMate lists the codes it finds, and the avatar explains them.

Pairing the dongle

Android

  1. Plug the dongle in and switch the ignition on.
  2. Turn Bluetooth on in your phone's settings.
  3. Open PitMate and let it look for the dongle. Choose it from the list.
  4. If Android asks for a pairing code, use the one that came with the dongle.

iPhone

Coming with the iPhone version.

Supported dongles

Vgate iCar Pro 2S
Supported. This is the launch dongle. Order one.
Everything else
Untested. Other ELM327-style Bluetooth dongles may work, but we have not tested them, so we cannot promise it.

Reading your results

Stored codes
Faults the car has confirmed and saved. These usually turn on the warning light.
Pending codes
Something looked wrong once but has not repeated yet. The car is still watching it.
Permanent codes
Codes that stay until the car has itself checked the fault is gone. Clearing codes with a scanner does not remove them.

PitMate ranks codes by severity, so start at the top. A code points to where the car found a problem. It does not always name the part to replace.

More guides

  • Live data: coming soon
  • Readiness monitors: coming soon
  • The VIN garage: coming soon
  • Clearing codes: coming soon