Not sure where the appropriate forum for this would be as it's more a tool than anything else, so mod's, feel free to move this if a different sub-forum is more appropriate! I picked up an Innova SDS43 scantool from Amazon for $272 after instant coupon, and YES, it IS a scantool, and NOT just an OBD2 reader. It has full two way communication, can run testing, and output logs & graphs, BUT I am disappointed that it does not have a touchscreen.

I did get the latest hardware revision 0x0698 instead of the initial release hardware version 0x02D6 - note that this is different from "firmware version" which is the software that runs on the hardware. It also came with the latest firmware version. Not sure what the real differences are between the two hardware revisions is? Both manuals have the same 2024 copywrite year on them, but the 0x02 manual is 73 pages, while the 0x06 manual is 95 pages.

Even though it's not as powerful as the best modern pro scantools, it is considered as service shop level scantool. It'll probably take me 2 years to learn how to use this thing properly, and figure out which items apply to the HHR & which do not. So in the meantime, other than just reading the data, there's no way I'm trying anything with it without first fully understanding what the functions do. Fortunately, I'm on vacation till Saturday, so I have plenty of time to read the manual, then watch all the Innova tutorials on it!!!

Supposedly, it can also do lifetime upgrades (firmware updates), as newer vehicles come out on the market, though that typically means "as long as we (Innova) are supporting this model" as opposed to however long I own the unit....

Here's the home screen, key on, engine off: Sorry about the poor image quality, these were all taken inside the car last night, so very low lighting.


And the OEM Diagnostics menu engine running:


Obviously, not all of the functions that this tool is capable of can be used with the HHR.


Here's the main screen that pops up after plugging it in - engine running in this case:

Very curious about the icons under I/M monitor Status, will find out about those this evening after I get back from todays run. I would think that: the full green are good, half green okay with potential issue, half red serviceable with potential issue, full red needs service asap.... but that's just guessing.

I'll be doing a bit of running around today on various errands, and will finish off with a 60 mile trip on the Interstate. Should end up being around 125 to 140 miles total today, will see what it says then.

I'm especially curious as to what this screen might show at the end of todays trip, especially considering the little shakes & shimmies I feel during certain shifts:

 

There, more of a tool for problems

 

I/M status red means don't bother getting state inspection because the test has not run yet. I can tell that you either cleared codes or disconnected the battery in the last 10 days since the EVAP test has not run. Basically, I/M status is about readiness to be inspected, there are a bunch of OBD2 tests that need to run and passed., all green means ready to pass testing.
The HHR does not have EGR.
I don't know what HTR means.

 

I think that is referring to the heater in the O2 sensor.

 

Pretty sure the HTR is O2 sensor heater as RJ_RS_SS_350 suggests. Not sure what the EGR is supposed to be since HHR uses VVT to handle exhaust gasses instead... Haven't done any actual "tests" with it yet, just plugged it in for todays drive. Hm... now I have to figure out how to print out a report.... off to the manual...

 

Nope, and Nope, at least not within 10 days, and EVAP test has run, all status' "OK". Codes were cleared March 2nd, & negative battery cable was swapped March 6th.

This was the only OBD test that came close to a failure value:


Here's overall test results including the OEM diagnostics:


Thought this was kind of interesting:


That's through the companion phone app for this tool. Gives a percentage probability of component failure within the next 12 months, and estimated repair costs.

 

Not a failure, a Not Ready. It takes 20 cold starts and a few other conditions to run.

 

Here's a OEM scan report:





NOTE: this is a "This Driving Cycle" report, which is why PID $041 section is not all green like it is below in this "Since DTCS Cleared" shot.