For an automotive scanner, the Thinkscan Plus S6 delivers. It’s got a lot of what DIY mechanics need to get started repairing their vehicle. It’s easy to use, the menus aren’t confusing, and the ability to record data directly from the scanner and send it via email it is fantastic. Unfortunately, if you're new to working on cars, you probably won't benefit from the S6's advanced features.

Key Features
  • Bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity
  • Full OBD-II functions
  • 28 maintenance services (additional fee required)
  • Live datastream
  • Free lifetime updates
  • Four system diagnostics
  • 5-inch screen
  • Android 7.0
  • Video and screenshot capability
Specifications
  • Brand: Thinkcar
  • Dimensions: 8.27 (l) x 5.51 (w) x .98 (h)
  • Weight: 1.65 lbs
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi
  • Battery Life: N/a
  • Weight Capacity: N/a
  • Interface: Android 7.0
  • OBD-II: Yes
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight and cleverly designed
  • Good for both home and commercial use
  • Fast navigation
  • 5 included maintenance services including TPMS, ETS, Oil Reset, SRS, and ABS
  • Email diagnostic reports to yourself or your mechanic
  • AutoVIN loads your vehicle data automatically
  • Freeze-frame and datastream for accurate diagnostics
Cons
  • Data cable is short
  • Annual subscription needed to unlock additional features
  • Extra features won't benefit weekend warriors
Buy This Product
Thinkscan Plus S6

Let’s face it—car trouble is no fun. Sputtering, stalling, or unexpected check engine lights can be worrisome, not to mention they might cost some significant cash to fix. And until you know what’s wrong, there’s always the fear that you’re going to end up stuck on the side of the road.

Occasionally, however, these issues are simple things that you can solve with a bit of research and the proper diagnostic tools. One of those tools is an OBD-II scanner. The Thinkcar Thinkscan Plus S6 is just such a scanner. The S6 is new for 2021, and it’s similar to the diagnostic equipment used in many professional dealerships.

The Thinkscan Plus S6: What Is It, and What Does It Do?

Up close and personal with the Thinkscan Plus S6

In a nutshell, the Thinkscan Plus S6 is an automotive on-board diagnostic or OBD-II scanner designed to read vehicle diagnostic information, reset auxiliary and maintenance systems, and turn off malfunction indicator lights. If you have a problem with your car, the S6 can help figure it out.

The Thinkscan Plus S6 is new for 2021, and it has several features that can potentially save you an expensive trip to your mechanic. You can use the scanner to reset check engine lights, ABS systems, SRS or airbag systems, and even transmission systems. The S6 also has advanced features like data stream collection, readiness monitoring, and viewing of freeze-frame data.

Unfortunately, this scan tool is not going to do everything. You’ll still need some automotive knowledge. That means don’t expect to plug something like this in and have it tell you exactly what’s wrong with your car. That’s not how these types of tools work.

What you can do with the Thinkscan Plus S6 is figure out which OBD-II malfunction has caused your check engine light to illuminate. This code will allow you to research the issue and potentially diagnose things without paying expensive diagnostic fees.

What’s in the Box?

Everything That Comes In The Thinkcar Thinkscan S6 Box

With the Thinkscan Plus S6, you’ll get:

  • The Thinkscan unit
  • A USB-C cable
  • The instruction manual

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Why You Should Trust My Review

Before I tell you any more about this scanner, you should know that I'm not just some guy who works on cars on the weekend (though no offense to you if you are). Instead, I've got 18 years of automotive experience under my belt. I spent 10 years with Bridgestone/Firestone as a tech, a vehicle services manager, a store manager, and a tire sales manager.

I've also got eight years of dealership experience, including a position as the shop manager, for one of the highest-ranked Subaru dealerships inNew England. In other words, this ain't my first rodeo. While I don't know everything there is to know about auto mechanics, I think that my many years in the field have to count for something. But, enough about me. Back to business.

What Makes the Thinkscan Plus S6 Different?

Thinkscan Plus S6 OBDII connector

First, the S6 has 28 functions like automatic transmission relearning, sunroof initialization, and TPMS sensor resetting. Five of these functions—electronic parking brake (EPB) calibration, electronic throttle system (ETS) calibration, Oil reminder reset, steering angle sensor (SAS) calibration, and tire pressure monitoring (TPMS)—are included with the purchase of the unit.

For around $29 per function per year, you can also buy additional diagnostic capabilities. These additional functions are for tasks like calibrating windows, resetting oxygen sensors, and calibrating electronic seats. The scanner covers 122 car brands and over 10,000 models.

The unit runs on a unique flavor of Android 7.0, has 16 GB of internal storage, and includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It also covers four diagnostics systems and 10 OBD-II modes.

The S6 uses a modestly-sized 5-inch screen, which means you can stick it in your glove compartment or tuck it in your trunk if you’d like to take it on the road. You also don’t need additional adapters because the unit uses power from your vehicle while plugged into your car’s OBD-II port.

Aside from the repair angle, one of the most significant selling points here is this scanner’s lifetime updates for the five included functions. That means you can keep using this device even if your vehicles change.

Build Quality and Design

Thinkcar's Thinkscan Plus S6 rear view

Though it’s relatively small, the S6 has a nice large handle area that you can use to grip the tool, which is great for when your hands get a bit oily or greasy. The generous handle fits me comfortably, with plenty of extra room around my medium-sized hands.

Surrounding the scanner is a rubberized non-removable bumper that provides some impact resistance. In addition, the outer shell is slightly raised above the screen’s surface, so if the scanner falls face-down, you won’t shatter it. Both of these design elements are well-thought-out, given where the S6 is going to be used. That means if this scanner manages to meet the concrete, then you likely won't have to add a new unit to the cost of fixing your check engine light.

The display on the S6 is also large enough to see easily and bright. If you’re stuck on the side of the road in the middle of the night, you’ll likely appreciate these benefits.

On the right side of the screen, you’ll find a microSD port—presumably for updates—and a USB-C port for plugging into a computer. Both of these ports are protected by a piece of rubber that tucks neatly into the device.

The cable on the unit is approximately 4-feet in length, which is a little short for underhood use but great if you’re sitting in the driver or passenger seats. At the end of the cable is a standard J1962 or OBD-II connector, which plugs into your vehicle’s data port. While it probably goes without saying, cars from 1996 onward all use this type of data port.

If, however, you’re still driving an old classic, you have my respect. But the S6 isn’t going to work for you.

Thinkscan S6 side ports are USB and microSD

Overall, the build quality and design of this unit are very smartly done. In addition, the unit looks rugged enough to take all but the worst bangs and bruises of home or commercial automotive use.

That’s right; I said commercial automotive use. If you’re currently working as a mechanic, this scanner can certainly benefit you and your business. Speaking as a former shop manager, I’d feel comfortable handing the S6 to most technicians if diagnostic work needed to get done.

The only negative here is the length of the data cable. One of the things that many mechanics like to do is to take the scanner and place it underhood to view the data stream while testing things. Unfortunately, the S6 doesn’t really allow that for larger vehicles. For my 2018 CR-V, the cable wouldn’t reach further than the corner of the windshield. However, smaller vehicles might allow for a bit more reach.

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Interface and Usability

The Thinkscan Plus S6 has eight different functions

The Android interface of the scanner does take a few moments to boot, though zipping through the menus is relatively painless once it does. The menus are displayed on the left three-quarters of the screen, while you’ll use the right side of the screen for navigation.

A unique feature here is the S6 allows you to take videos and images of the screen if you want to capture specific data to forward to yourself or your mechanic.

The Thinkscan Plus S6 has a built-in code library for common OBDII codes

Scanning codes on your vehicle is also straightforward. Turn your vehicle ignition to the run position, attach the OBD-II connector into your vehicle’s data port, and tap OBD. The scanner will detect your OBD-II version protocol. Once it does, click the matched protocol, and your vehicle information will populate. Tap OK, and you can access things like live data, freeze-frame data, on-board monitoring, and code resetting. There’s also information like standard sensor ranges that make it easy to identify if something isn’t working correctly.

The Thinkscan S6 can check readiness monitors and help diagnose issues

Again, Thinkcar did a great job with the interface. It doesn’t lag or stutter. And while there are a few minor glitches here and there, the overall experience doesn’t get in the way of using the tool.

Warranty and Repairability

The warranty on this unit is one year from delivery for materials and workmanship. As for repairability, not only are there no repairable components on the scanner, there is also no access to fasteners. So this scan tool will have to go back to Thinkcar if there is an issue.

Is the Thinkscan Plus S6 Worth It?

For an automotive scanner, I have to say that this unit delivers. It’s got a lot of what DIY mechanics need to get started repairing their vehicle. It’s easy to use, the menus aren’t confusing, and the ability to record data directly from the scanner and send it via email is fantastic.

You can even show this data to your mechanic to help them figure out the problem with your car. Speaking from experience, the more hard data that you can offer when describing automotive issues, the easier it is for many shops to do their job.

Presenting quality diagnostic reports may also decrease your chances of receiving vague, jargony explanations to justify extra costs. Of course, there’s also the built-in code library and the free lifetime updates. Both of which are excellent for keeping on top of an ailing automobile.

Additionally, if you’re an intermediate to an advanced mechanic, you could use this scanner to supplement commercial diagnostic equipment in your shop. It won’t replace all-inclusive diagnostic packages like ALLDATA, or SureTrack. But if you’re a competent diagnostic tech, then this unit will save you from having to hunt down the chowderhead who locked the shop tool in their box.

Finally, if you own or manage a shop, the built-in recording features and customer database tracking can help add value every time you charge for diagnostic work. All of these reasons make this scanner a solid buy (and almost as valuable as a 10mm socket).

What’s Not to Love?

Thinkcar Rear Logo Detail

Again, the short cable will be a problem for techs who like to tinker while they watch the data stream. You can, however, pick up extra-long OBD-II extension cables on Amazon for about $30. Add that to the $259 price tag, though, and suddenly this scanner becomes close to a $300 unit, all-in.

Buying additional subscription-based functions can also get expensive. At $29.95 per function per year, they’re a hard sell unless you’re diagnosing cars all day long. If you work on cars frequently, or this scanner is to be used in a shop of 15-20 mechanics, the cost may be worth it. But, if you’re not using the scanner every day, then buying the extra functions might be a waste of money.

And speaking of extra functions, if you’re a novice DIYer or new to auto mechanics, then the Thinkscan Plus S6 is probably going to be a little overkill. If you just need to clear codes, there are numerous cheap scanners on the market today that will serve that purpose at about a tenth of the price.

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Should You Buy the S6?

This unit is designed with a specific audience in mind. It’s going to appeal more to intermediate-to-advanced amateurs and professional mechanics. If you’re one of those folks, then this scanner is a worthy addition to your toolbox. Its wide range of functions and customizability is excellent for those who know their way around various vehicle systems.

The Thinkscan Plus S6 is also scalable for those entering the field of automotive diagnostics or looking to supplement a newly obtained Engine Performance ASE. The same is true for auto shop owners and service department managers. If you don’t already have dedicated diagnostic equipment, this $259 tool is worth every penny. While it’s not quite the Ferrari of automotive diagnostics, it is capable of much more advanced functions than your standard auto-part store special.

But, if you don’t know how to interpret freeze-frame data, or you’re not familiar with diagnostic troubleshooting, then this device isn’t going to be worth much more to you than a cheap OBD-II code reader. If that’s the case, I’d recommend you save your money, skip this device, and put your second largest investment in the hands of a qualified professional.