REVIEW – Many years ago, after repeatedly buying used cars and dealing with them breaking down, I decided to lease new cars/trucks. However, my mother-in-law recently purchased a 2014 Subaru Impreza, and after driving it a few times, I have a feeling that there are a few hidden issues that need to be uncovered and fixed. I am always concerned when taking a used car to a mechanic because I am often at their mercy regarding diagnosis and the cost of repairs. I am a pretty good all-around DIYer, so it would be helpful to determine the issues myself and even buy the parts and do the repairs myself. I am sure that my mother-in-law would be grateful, but how would I know the issues? Enter the XTOOL Bidirectional Scan Tool D7W.
What is it?
The XTOOL Bidirectional Scan Tool D7W is a wireless scanner with 3-year updates. It features ECU Coding, 36+ Maintenance Services, Bi-directional Control, Key Programming, OE Full Systems Diagnostics, Crank Sensor Relearn, 10,000 Vehicles Coverage, Android 10.0 O, 8-in-1 Graphing, and more.
What’s included?
- 1 x XTOOL Bidirectional Scan Tool D7W
- 1 x VCI Box
- 1 x USB Cable
- 1 x AC Adapter
- 1 x UK AC Adapter Cable
- 1 x EU AC Adapter Cable
- 1 x US AC Adapter Cable
- 1 x Storage/Carrying Case
- 1 x User Manual
Tech Specs
- Collapsible Kickstand & Built-in Speaker & Microphone & Rear Camera
- 2GB R A M+ 64GB R O M
- Android 101 OS, Quad-Core 1.5GHz Processor
- 7″ Touch Screen with 1024*600 Resolution
- Built-in 5,000mAh battery
- 2.4GHz & 5GHz Wi-Fi
Design and features
- A Game-changing Upgrade – WiFi Communication: Upgraded Ver. of XTOOL D7BT Scanner, XTOOL D7W wireless diagnostic tool introduces High-Speed Wireless Connection, by 64 Mbps(Max) transmission speed, 20 times faster than BT, leaving traditional BT scanners in the dust at this price. It can extend the diagnostic distance range up to 33-67ft while maintaining a stable connection, and up to 100ft in an open environment without other Wi-Fi interference.
- Advanced ECU Coding: The XTOOL D7W car diagnostic tool, excels in ECU coding for VW, AUDI, SKODA, BENZ, and Mitsubishi-specific cars (not universal). It supports offline coding, component matching, and adaptive data reset, to help enhance vehicle performance and personalize car settings, and offers the solution after module or component replacement. Note: Not all the above vehicles, or all the modules of the above vehicles can be supported, please check compatibility for specific modules of specific cars before purchase via QA or xt*********@ou*****.com
- OE-level Full Diagnosis & Full Bidirectional: XTOOL D7W bi-directional scan tool with smart systems diagnostics, helps to access all available systems with “dealer-level” diagnostics that deliver accurate and in-depth results by reading/clearing codes, view freeze frame/live data in text&graphing/ECU info. It can do active tests to check the working status of car components, like Compression Test/Cooling Fan Test/ABS pump cycling/Windows, Wipers, sunroof and Doors, on and off, etc. Note: The active Test menu varies across vehicles.
- 36+ Resets & Advanced Special Functions: XTOOL D7W vehicle diagnostic tool gives you an ideal solution for everyday repairs and saves $$$ from repair shops by providing you the most useful resets like Oil/EPB/TPMS/BMS/SAS/SRS/Throttle reset, IMMO Keys, ABS bleeding, Injector Coding, and advanced functions under-diagnosis like Idle Relearn, VIN Write, Crankshaft Sensor Relearn, Fuel Trim Reset, ABS Initialization, etc. as well. Note: Special Services do NOT work on all cars. Please check compatibility with VIN & functions via xt*********@ou*****.com
- 8-IN-1 Live Data Graphing & AUTO Scan & Extended Functions: XTOOL D7W auto diagnostic scanner with intelligent features combines 8 live data graphing in one, avoiding the trouble situations when 4 graphs together are not enough for analysis; like auto scan, avoid hassles when manually input VIN; like working with 12+8 Cable for bypassing for Chrysler gateway system; like working with Inspection Camera for clear view …Note: Auto VIN is not universal!
- Broad Vehicles Coverage & 14+Languages & CANFD & DoIP: XTOOL D7W scanner para autos, works on 85+ Brands, 140+ Models, 10000+ Cars, including US, European, Asian, Australia 12V sedans, light duty trucks, SUVs, minivans after 1996 with OBD2. The multilingual feature allows it to work for car owners globally without language barriers, send us tool S/N to get Spanish or other! The CANFD protocol also enables it to diagnose GM 2020+ cars, and the DoIP protocol supports BMW E/F/G Chassis, for Jaguar/Land Rover. Note: Does not work on 24V trucks or motorcycles!
- Helpful and Responsive Customer Service from XTOOL: TOOL always prioritizes customers’ needs and continuously offers responsive tech services as well as software updates! Backed by the official XTOOL tech team, the XTOOL D7W diagnostic scan tool comes with a 2-year US warranty. 3 years of free software updates give you function optimization, increased vehicle coverage, and easier operations
The XTOOL Bidirectional Scan Tool D7W is an Android tablet encased in a nice shell and includes a kickstand. There is a camera on the back, and on the top, there is a power button and a USB-A port. It is important to note that XTOOL warns that this device must never be connected to a computer via a cable. It does have WiFi and Bluetooth built-in. The VCI Box is the module that connects to the OBD2 plug in the car and gets power from that connection. It has built-in wireless capability that allows it to quickly connect to the tablet.
Performance
For my testing of the XTOOL Bidirectional Scan Tool D7W. I used my mother-in-law’s 2014 Subaru Impreza. I connected the VCI Box to the OBD2 port under the dashboard:
The VCI Box gets power from the OBD2 port once the car’s ignition is turned on. It has built-in wireless capability and is automatically connected to the tablet. I then followed the screen prompts for the tool to run the diagnostic and to get the results. I tried to take some shots of the screen but the sun was really bright. Please forgive the quality:
Once the diagnostic report was ready, it had the option to print it but despite the instructions, I was unable to get the Canon Print app installed on the tablet. The tablet is quite restricted including not having the Google Play Store installed. Nevertheless, there are the options to email or to send the file via wetransfer.com. While I understand the reasoning behind removing the Play Store, it can be a hindrance.
The following shows the report with the error codes. I was surprised that there were 30 fault codes. I will spend the next few weeks checking the meaning of each code and then I will determine what is most important to repair. Overall, I love this device and can see it being useful for many years. I already have several neighbors who want me to run diagnostic tests on their vehicles.
Results:
The following video is a screen recording of the functions and options of the XTOOL application:
What I like about the XTOOL Bidirectional Scan Tool D7W
- Nice tough frame around the tablet
- Nice design
- The tablet is adequately powered
- The kickstand
- The amazing number of features and options
- The included regional power cords
- It is completely wireless
- It is designed for even a novice to be able to use basic functions
- Test results can be exported
- Nice storage case
What needs to be improved?
- Nothing that I know of at the moment
Final thoughts
This is the first time I have been able to work with a sophisticated device like this XTOOL Bidirectional Scan Tool D7W, and I am hooked. I can’t wait to test it out on more vehicles. It is plug-and-play except for a few workarounds that I had to utilize. It is a great diagnostic tool for the DIYer or someone wanting to know what is happening before heading to the mechanic. Well done!!.
Price: $439.00
Where to buy: Amazon, XTOOL Global website
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by XTOOL. XTOOL did not have any say in this review and did not preview this review before it was published.
