Carista OBD2 Bluetooth Adapter and App: Diagnose, Customize and Service your VW, Audi, Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, Lexus, BMW and Mini

This little gizmo and the associated FREE Carista App pack a pretty powerful punch, at least for my 2018 Toyota Highlander. First, let's talk about installation. I have an Android phone, so all I had to do was plug it into the OBD slot, put the ignition to ON, and start the App on my phone. The first time it prompts you about what kind of ODB2 module are you using (since the App can be used with other, non-Carista Apps. The first option is for a Carista module, select that and the App automatically searches and finds the Carista device. Next you get 3 options: Diagnose | Customize | Service. Diagnose will detect the standard OBD2 errors, if any. On my car there were no errors, so it just came up with a big "0". Customize will list the available customizations for your car (if supported) and the current setting. In the FREE App you can see the settings, but to *change* the settings you either need to go to the dealer or get the FULL App version, which is not free, but comes with a 30 day automatically renewable trial, so if you get the trial, be sure to cancel it before 30 days in the Play Store or it will renew for around $39.00 for 1 year. I had the customizations changed at the dealer for free, so I haven't tried the FULL App version. What you get in the FULL App is not clear from the website: "Advanced features are only supported on certain models by Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mini, Scion and Toyota. Please make sure your car is supported before purchasing the adapter." So, the best thing to do is to buy this, try it and if you don't like it, return it. The FULL App, I think, gives enhanced diagnostic and customization capabilities based on the Mfr / Model / Year car.With the FREE App, it ran diagnostic codes on my friend's older 2007 Malibu.One thing I *really* like is that it displays your TPMS ID / Status for each tire. It doesn't identify the tire (so you can rotate the tires without needing to reset the codes, but it does display the TPMS ID and the tire pressure. You can identify the tires yourself by letting 4#-5# out of each tire in sequence, check the TPMS pressure, and see which one changed. I made a little table in excel for the ID's and the tires and pasted the table onto the handy little case that the Carista comes in. When I rotate the tires, I'll keep track of which tire went where so I can relate the Carista readings to the correct tire. What a better way to check tire pressure than having to use a tire gauge. It would be nice if there was a field in the APP where you could enter a user-specified ID Name, like "LR" for left rear, for example, so you could see the tire name with the ID.It doesn't appear to capture live data either ... not sure but I'm guessing it doesn't.I do wish it came with a lifetime subscription for, say, $20 to unlock the enhanced options, but it doesn't, and I probably won't need them.Support has been very good, I usually get a response to questions within 24 hours.

If you can pair your phone to a bluetooth speaker, you can use Carista. You don't need any automotive skills. The Carista is a bluetooth device, and it plugs into your car OBD2 port. Don't know what that is? Neither did I. Suffice to say that your ODB2 port is likely located under your dash, below the steering wheel or thereabouts. It is easy to find because it is a pretty big trapezoid shaped port with a lot of pins. When you hold the Carista in your hand, it is pretty clear what you are looking for to plug it into it because like the OBD2 port, it is a pretty big trapezoid and has a lot of pins. So, you simply plug Carista into your Car's OBD2 port. It blinks to show you it's properly plugged in. Then, you download the Carista app on your android or apple phone (I have an iPhone). Next, you open the Carista app on your phone, and it automatically pairs with the Carista device and analyzes your car settings. Carista then prompts you to buy a one week pass for $9.99 or a one year pass for $39.99. I chose one week. Once you pay, you can then change all of the alarm, door, lights and many other settings on your car. So, in 10 minutes or so I was able to find the OBD2 port, plug the Carista in to it, buy a one week pass, and then change several settings on my 2017 Prius. I changed the reverse parking beeper from the annoying constant beeping to one beep. I changed the door locks so that all doors open and close with one click of the key fob. I made the parking sensors beep a little louder. I turned off the fasten seat belt warnings on the passenger and rear seats. Then, i unplugged the Carista from the OBD2 port and was done. Total time for this technically challenged novice from opening the Carista box to being done: 15 minutes. Carista really does enable you to have your car your way. It is really simple to use. And it works flawlessly. Why pay a dealer to change your car settings when you can do it yourself at a fraction of the cost and with no hassles? Highly recommended.

Fácil de usar.Realmente lo compré para personalizar el tablero de instrumentos para un Jetta MK6 2018 y una Tiguan Sport&Style 2013, en ambos funcionó.Aparte probé el scanner en una Frontier SV 2012 y me arrojó varios testigos y códigos por reparar, muy bien.Puedes usar la prueba gratis del mes y cancelar la renovación dos días antes, así le hice yo en un iPhone; lo que realmenre está caro es la suscripción.

Having used dealer-level diagnostic and programming software, this device is an absolute must for the enthusiast. It makes complex programming a doddle - what would normally take 30 mins now takes around 3 minutes. Before reading this short review, a couple of must knows - check your vehicle is compatible before buying on the CARISTA website. For example, this device only had basic functions on a 2015 Mercedes E Class. But it had full functionality on a 2008 BMW 3 series, and also a 2018 VW Polo.For those who think this is the 'ONE STOP SHOP' of diagnostic scanners out there - it comes pretty damn close. It's plug and play, no need to connect to wifi (iOS ELM 327), simply launch the app and it connects to the Carista seamlessly every time.Picture shows activation of ‘Real-time MPG’ on an e90 BMW M3 which can improve your driving style helping you to understand how to save fuel when not driving these cars at their full potential. This option was activated in 2 minutes on the CARISTA and not normally activated from the factory on these vehicles.A quick lesson in On Board Diagnostics:Most cars have several 'modules' (ECU's) which control all functions of the vehicle. Do a google search of 'BMW Module Tree' to see what this looks like on paper.Your £5 - £50 scanners can normally interrogate ONLY THE ENGINE (ECU) module, as this is most commonly responsible for the 'Check Engine' light. A £50 scanner might give you live data of engine parameters with graphing etc. for fault finding, and the £5 scanner will simply give you a fault code. These scanners rarely let you code/program anything on the vehicle.The more expensive scanners £50 - £250 work to interrogate additional modules including ABS, Airbag, Transmission etc. which can also cause the Check Engine light to illuminate. Decent scanners have better compatibility with a wider range of vehicles and some explanation of the fault codes built in (google is normally best for interpretation of codes anyway). These are still 'scanners' and permit very limit coding/programming to the vehicle, unless otherwise stated (steering angle sensor, battery programming, TPMS reset etc. are common features built-in). These scanners work for 50% of vehicle problems.The expensive £400+ scanners usually allow interrogation of all vehicle modules, or atleast as many as are compatible with the device. Common faults often occur in auxiliary modules such as Footwell, Light, Car Access System, Radio etc. which normally only dealer-level OEM software can interpret, interrogate and program properly. These scanners offer varying levels of compatibility, but work for 90% of problems on cars, most independent garages use these and they often require some sort of subscription service.The amazing thing about the Carista is that it is actually interrogating several modules in the car which normally only the £400 scanners would do. In order to do complex customisations it needs access to read and write to these auxiliary modules. To enable features like real-time mpg, driver door unlock on one-click, and increasing brightness of rear lights would normally require 30 mins of downloading module data to a laptop, interpreting through dealer-level software, editing string values, and re-uploading to the module, all in a careful and timely manner. The Carista takes care of this whole process and does the coding in seconds. It's quite unbelievable (although not the first on the market to do this, it seems to be the first multi-vehicle, cross-compatible device).So in having access to all vehicle modules, Carista is able to report back detailed error codes within these modules. The caveat is it only works if the Carista scanner is compatible with the vehicle. A 2015 Mercedes E Class W212 with the 'Auxiliary Battery Malfunction' error was not picked up by the Carista, nor was it recognised by a trusty £200 scanner. It's likely that to read this error in more detail, a £400+ scanner would be required, or dealer-level software with a USB cable and laptop.The 2007-2013 BMW 3 Series E9x vehicles are very well covered, as are VAG group vehicles. Compatibility seems to be improving regularly and is already very good for a device at this price. Carista have a Beta Test Team which are constantly working to add functionality and compatibility. You can join this team from their website.All in all, an excellent little scanner, worth every penny.Hints for use: Keep a record of the customisations you carry out. Carry out customisations one-at-a-time with the IGNITION ON but ENGINE OFF. Ensure your car battery is in good order, if in doubt connect a battery charger if doing a long session as a battery failure during programming can be fatal for the module. End all other apps on your phone/tablet and disconnect all other bluetooth devices. Do not operate things in the vehicle whilst coding/diagnosing/using the Carista, modules should be idle during read/write. Opening / closing doors and windows and operating the radio can affect coding.WARNING on BMW E9x vehicles: Activating the 'Engine can be started only when car is in Neutral/Park' is for AUTOMATIC MODELS only. Activating this customisation on a Manual vehicle will prevent it from starting! - There are a number of issues like this, where the customisation needs to be carefully considered before activation.Wish list for future updates:More powerful diagnostics - adaptations, activation of ABS pump for bleeding, O2 sensor testing, live data streaming, sensor readouts, graphing, etc. Save/Restore feature - after making some customisation 'mistakes' you have to go back and undo those customisations by guessing. Increased vehicle compatibility list, especially Mercedes and other popular cars. Also fixing functionality with other diagnostic apps which are classed as compatible, could not get these to recognise and connect to the Carista. Also, some information on each customisation, quite often it's a case of guessing what each thing does. Grouping customisations into a 'custom list' would also be handy. For example, you don't need to look at customisations relevant to the sunroof when the vehicle does not have one.Thanks Carista for a device that everyone has been waiting for. Enjoy your car, your way!

I know the full use of the product. This review and rating goes to the G.G sellerThis product is very useful...The G.G seller responsibility is very excellent.....i thank to the seller for is response...

Benutze es schon mittlerweile seit über 2 jahren. Funktioniert sehr sehr gut👍

J'aime la facilité d'utilisation. Pas besoin d'ordinateur, le scan se fait avec une appli sur l'Iphone.J'ai aimé la personalisation possible (Rabattage automatique des rétros à la fermeture de la voiture), un réglage qui m'aurait coûté 70 euros en concession...Bonne détection de tous les ECU.Ce boitier m'a permis d'identifier des capteurs défectueux, de les remplacer et d'effectuer le reset.Mes regrets: N'identifie pas tout (panne de capteurs de parking distance), ne fonctionne pas pour toutes les marques de voitures.Un bon plus: Le support CARISTA qui répond rapidement et précisément. Cela m'a permis de lever des doutes.Essai de l'appli en pro est gratuite un mois. J'en suis tellement content que j'ai acheté l'abonnement à vie.Véhicule: BMW X5