Tool Review: Peake Research BMW scan & reset tool

July 21, 2014

The R5/FCX3 BMW scan & reset tool from Peake Research offers technicians an affordable non-OBDII scan and reset tool for BMWs. The compact tool reads BMW factory codes and resets BMW's unique "oilservice"/inspection reminders without software, interface cables, VIN entry or boot-up time; just connect, select and go in under 30 seconds.

The Review

Technician Tom Karagianis tested the Peake Research BMW scan & reset tool at Tarkus Complete Automotive Service in Milwaukee, Wisc. He found the tool very easy to use, well-priced and liked the quick results.

Tom said he read through the manual in order to understand what the codes meant.

“You have to read the “F” codes and the “T” codes and the different letters,” he said. “If you go and look into the reference manual, it’s pretty straight-forward.”

Tom suggested shops that don’t work on many BMW vehicles might like to have this tool in the shop.

“It’s great for a shop that’s not going to work on many Beamers,” he said. “(Or) when they get them in once in awhile.” 

Along with shops that might need a basic BMW scan tool, Tom suggested regular consumers may want to use the tool too based on the lower price and fast results.

“I think it’s a $39 retail value, and I thought that was a very good price for people – even the homeowner, or the guy that’s got a Beamer in his garage and wants to know fault codes and to clear maintenance,” he said. “It’s small, it’s easy, it’s convenient. You could almost put it in your glove box.”

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Editorial Director | Commercial Vehicle Group

Erica Schueller is the Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC),  the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).  

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.

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