Technician A says that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) offer scan tools to service their specific line of vehicles. Technician B says that scan tools supplied by aftermarket tool and equipment providers usually provide greater functionality

a. Technician A

b. Technician B

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

a. Technician A

Explanation:

Aftermarket parts are replacement parts that are not made by the original equipment manufacturer. They can not guarantee as much functionaluty when compared to OEMs. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) usually their own proprietary scan tools which offer better and functionality to service their special line of vehicles. So Technician A alone is correct.

C. Both A and B

Explanation:

Three types of scan tools are available to the technician:

1. Generic On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II) scan tool (many brands)

2. Aftermarket scan tool with enhanced coverage (Snap-On, OTC, others)

3. OEM scan tool (developed and approved by an OEM, used in dealerships)

Not too long ago, an OEM scan tool was often the exception rather than the rule at the average automotive repair facility. Although dealership technicians have normally used manufacturer-specific OEM scan tools, such equipment was not commonly found in an independent automotive repair shop.

Traditionally, most independent shops have relied on aftermarket scan tools that were designed to work with a variety of Asian, domestic, and/or European vehicles. While this remains true for many independent shops, more and more independent shops are using personal computer-based original equipment manufacturer (OEM) scan tools, particularly on late-model vehicles, as access to such tools improves and in some cases costs of the tool has gone down.

Many of today's vehicles have several dozen modules, each with their own data stream and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Hybrid and electric vehicles can have especially complex self-diagnostic systems. Some aftermarket scan tools manufacturers may be challenged to keep up with the demands of scan data in new vehicles. The technician can expect to work with both OEM and aftermarket scan tools during his or her career.