XTOOL InPlus IP508 Car Diagnostic Tool: features, resets and specs

The XTOOL InPlus IP508 is a handheld scan tool that plugs into a car's OBD2 port to read fault codes and live data. It goes beyond a basic code reader by covering four systems and offering several reset functions. This page explains what it does and what to check before relying on it.

What it reads

A basic code reader checks the engine only. The IP508 is listed for four systems: engine, ABS (anti-lock brakes), SRS (airbags and restraints) and transmission. You can read and clear codes, see freeze-frame data, and view live sensor values. A built-in library of diagnostic trouble code definitions explains what each code means, which helps when you're searching for a cause.

The OBDII modes

XTOOL lists 10 OBDII diagnostic modes. These include reading and clearing codes, live data, freeze frame, an I/M readiness check (whether the car's emissions monitors have completed), the on-board monitor test (Mode 6), an O2 sensor test and component tests. Clearing a code doesn't fix the fault behind it, so find the cause first.

Nine reset services

Service resets tell a car's computer that maintenance has been done. XTOOL lists nine:

• oil service reset and electronic parking brake (EPB) reset;
• battery management system (BMS) and steering angle sensor (SAS) reset;
• DPF and TPMS reset;
• ABS bleeding and throttle relearn;
• injector coding.

Whether each function works depends on the vehicle. XTOOL asks buyers to confirm compatibility by sending the VIN and the functions they need before ordering.

Live data and reports

You can select and combine up to eight PIDs (parameter IDs, the individual sensor readings) into graphs, record the live data, play it back and export it. The tool can also generate diagnostic reports to share, print or transfer to a PC. Graphing helps spot a reading that drifts or spikes while the engine runs.

Hardware and updates

The IP508 runs Android 10 on a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, and has a 5-inch touch screen. XTOOL lists lifetime updates without a fee and says no PC is needed for updating. It supports the CAN FD protocol, which XTOOL says covers GM vehicles from 2020 on. Auto Scan and AutoVIN speed up the first check, and the menu is offered in more than 14 languages. Changing the language requires authorisation with the serial number, XTOOL says.

Who it suits

It suits home mechanics and small workshops who want to read several systems and perform common service resets. It is a scan tool, not a repair guide, so interpreting results still takes some mechanical knowledge.

What to check before you buy

• Vehicle coverage: confirm your make, model, year and the specific functions you need.
• Systems: check that your car's ABS, SRS and transmission are supported, not only the engine.
• Safety work: brake, airbag and bleeding procedures affect safety. Follow the vehicle's service manual and local regulations.
• Updates: check how updates are delivered and what XTOOL says about their duration.
• Emissions rules: clearing codes or resetting monitors may not be appropriate before an inspection.

The short version

• An Android 10 OBD2 scan tool with a 5-inch touch screen.
• Four systems: engine, ABS, SRS and transmission.
• Nine reset services, from oil and EPB to throttle relearn and injector coding.
• Graphs up to 8 PIDs, with recording, playback and reports.
• Confirm your vehicle and the functions you need before buying.

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