Innova OBD2 Bidirectional Scan Tool 5160RS

Works great.

This is a nice scanner. Works well on my 2006 Honda Accord and 2016 Tacoma. It’s not going to have a lot (any?) transmission and airbag bi-directional support. But for engine codes it does a good job, in my limited experience.

I do have some comments on updating the device: I’m a Mac guy. I have an old Win 7 laptop for the garage because it seems like engine tools mostly are supported by Win software. I liked how this scanner had Mac software available. So, I get the scanner and the first thing I want to do is update it. I DL the Mac software, hook up the scanner and it automatically starts doing its thing. Well, it shows a little progress bar during the update. The bar was full to the right and then just stayed there for 10 min, 20, 45 min. Wtf. Unplugged, reinstalled everything and tried again. Same. It seemed to get hung during the update. All the while the scanner was bricked. So, I thought I would try my windows machine. It imeadiatly started updating, but the progress bar was much more informative. It appears to fully reprogram the device, and it takes a long time. Plan to give it 30 min at least. I’m not sure if the Mac software would have worked or not, but I waited long enough that the computer went to sleep. So I don’t have much faith in it. Windows software worked fine.

I was torn between buying this 5160RS or the more expensive 5610.
After researching both models and then talking to Innova, I found that the 5160RS and 5610 do exactly the same things.
Innova said they are identical, but I discovered 2 minor differences.

The differences are:
1) 5610 has a light on the OBDii plug to find the OBDii and the 5160RS does not. (though it does light up when plugged in)
2) there was no USB with the 5160RS, where as the 5610 is supposed to have the USB cord.

It’s a common USB cord and I have a few of them and the $46.10 I saved by buying the 5160RS would easily pay for several flashlights, which I did not need for my vehicles and if I did need a light, I already have several flashlights.

I easily checked my wife’s Toyota Yaris and my Honda Accord which had no faults and the batteries and alternators passed the tests with flying colors.

I then checked my low mile (I’m the second owner) 2006 Diesel Ram 2500 which was running great with no known issues, until I plugged in my 5160RS Code Reader and it pulled up 2 codes,
1) HVAC Door opening too far.
2) Low Battery Voltage to my Anti lock Brakes.

Battery Check with the Code Reader said Batteries were bad, so I cleared the codes and charged both Mopar, Series 65 Batteries overnight and this morning they were charged.

Ran the tests again and once again both Codes came back again so since I had no idea how old the batteries were, I went to a well known store and bought 2 new batteries with 36 month FREE REPLACEMENT, which is hard to find now a days and free installation which saves me 30 some miles of round trip driving to return the battery cores.

When they pulled out the old Mopar Batteries I asked how old they were and when they read the bottom they said they were both made 05/06 and today is 09/16/2023, so the truck got it’s 17 years and 4 months of long use without leaving me stranded, thanks to the 5160RS warning me of the unknown battery problem, which would have been a big problem if they had died in the mountains while pulling a travel trailer a 100 miles from any place to buy 2 new batteries.

The other bonus feature, which was a very pleasant surprise.
There is a feature on my Diesel truck that allows a person to increase the Idle RPM of the engine when the truck is sitting. This can be handy for warming up the truck faster on cold mornings or for increasing RPM while jumping another cars battery or using a winch.
The problem is, the only way I could get this feature activated was to take it to a Dodge Ram Dealer and pay $$ minimum labor to plug in their box and turn this feature on in under 5 minutes.

While exploring and opening every different thing on my code reader, I discovered an option to ENABLE this feature on my truck and with the push of a couple buttons, I now have the High Idle Option turned on.

I cannot guarantee that you will be able to activate any options on your vehicles, but it did work on my 2006 Ram 2500 with 5.9 engine, what a surprise!

A must for all you DIY .
Works well and fast . Always good to have . Yes I do recommend this product 💯percent!!!!

haven’t had time to try all the features but so far it’s ok

It has a lot of nice features, but it takes some time to figure out where things are and how to navigate the menus effectively. Overall, I’m not going to complain because it was over $100 cheaper than the same model at local part stores.

I purchased this unit with the expectation that the compatibility information on Innova’s website would be correct. I attempt to complete an electronic brake disengage on my vehicle. The unit states it’s not compatible. I researched all 4 of my vehicles prior to purchasing the 5160rs. All came up as covered by this unit. 3 American made 1 VW. I have gone back and forth with Innova. No resolution. I double check my vehicles again on innova’s site all clear yet the unit does not support the functions it states it does. Way over paid to have a unit that simply reads codes. The bidirectional features are expensive when they are nonfunctional. I will update my review should Innova come up with a solution.

Update I have been contacted by Innova’s team. I’m told someday they may have a fix for the issue. Unfortunately they continue to advertise that unit is compatible with my vehicle although it isn’t. No offer for of a solution at all. Save your money Do Not Buy This Unit !!! There ant plenty of reputable products out there. Ensuring your vehicle is covered on Innova’s site is useless as the information is not accurate.