For those accustomed to traditional internal combustion engine cars or even electric vehicles from other manufacturers, adjusting to certain peculiarities of Elon Musk's products can be challenging. These include frequent software updates and the mandatory presence of certificates, even when the vehicle is not in use. Although Tesla positions these disturbances theoretically as improvements, they don't always go smoothly in practice.
All these and other features highlight the acute need for diagnostic equipment specifically designed for Tesla vehicles. Without such tools, repairing them is practically impossible. To address this need, we've developed Loki - a specialized diagnostic scanner with no full-fledged counterparts worldwide, serving both car owners and service stations.

Toolbox 3, its features and drawbacks

One of the most common questions directed to Loki diagnostic scanner developers and technical support specialists concerns the differences between our device and Tesla's official diagnostic service known as Toolbox 3. Here are the main features and drawbacks of Toolbox:
1. It is Tesla's official service providing access to the vehicle's service data, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and other functions. However, its functionality is quite limited, lacking access even to the Factory Mode.2. Toolbox provides some repair documentation, such as operation manuals for all models and modifications, and electrical diagrams. However, guides for replacing components and assemblies are practically absent.3. Toolbox 3 is compatible only with vehicles running firmware from 2019 onwards. The number of available commands directly depends on the firmware version, ranging from around fifty in 2019.8 (for Model S/X with Tegra processor) to over 250 in the final version, 2022.8.

3. The previous version, Toolbox 2.1, used on vehicles with Tegra processors, is currently blocked. Along with it, the ports for connection were blocked - for example, beneath the display in the Model S. Now, connecting to this model requires dismantling the instrument panel.4. Now, arguably the biggest downside of Toolbox 3. Access to its functionality is paid, with a subscription costing about $3000 per year, $500 per month, $175 per day, and $125 per hour. Furthermore, it's quite finicky, as connection is only possible through Windows via Google Chrome. Tesla provides no technical support, leaving users to navigate issues on their own, which can be quite challenging.

Tesla software structure: Odin and the "Mother Ship"

To understand why this happens, one needs to comprehend the structure of Tesla's software. Each vehicle runs the Odin service, aiding in various technical maintenance actions. It is within Odin that the firmware and commands we discussed earlier are located. However, despite Odin being based on Python 3, direct connection to the vehicle yields no results - without proper authorization, the car's computer simply throws an error.

During its operation, Odin must communicate with Tesla's main service - requesting and receiving permissions for making changes and transferring data. This situation is akin to the concept of certificates - access keys issued by Tesla's central computer. Without them, communication doesn't cease entirely but becomes limited. However, without certificates, routine updates of maps and firmware, as well as other full functionalities of the vehicle, become impossible.
Similarly, Toolbox 3 operates. The main center, through Odin, acts as an activator for commands residing on the vehicle itself. Subscriptions exist separately for information on services and Tesla's software. Essentially, the subscription fee for Toolbox is payment for the company allowing work on the vehicle. Attempting to hack Tesla is practically unrealistic and even dangerous - due to a single mistake, certificates could be annulled. So when Elon Musk mentioned offering $1,000,000 to anyone who hacked a car, he was referring to the server, the "mother ship." Without its sanction, any significant repairs are impossible.

Advantages of Loki Over Standard Diagnostic Methods

Returning to our device, the Loki diagnostic scanner is devoid of most of the drawbacks of Toolbox 3, as it:
● Works with all types of processors and firmware versions.● Has a more extensive functionality (including Factory Mode).● Is purchased once, without requiring future subscriptions.● Comes with qualified online consultations upon purchase.● Offers the opportunity for training in Tesla diagnostics and repair at the MSG Equipment Training Center.
Most importantly, Toolbox 3's functionality is already integrated into Loki's list of solvable issues, eliminating the need for a "this or that" choice when purchasing our device. It's also worth noting that many features present in Toolbox are available in an expanded range with us. For example:
1. While Toolbox 3 allows diagnostics of the high-voltage battery only in a static variant, Loki enables real-time analysis.2. Loki allows for cleaning Crash Data when connected via the CAN bus without extracting SRS (RCM, RCM 2) and body controller blocks.3. With our scanner, features like Key Binding to all existing serial models, changing the car's configuration, and obtaining live diagnostic data for all systems are available.
In conclusion, our scanner possesses functionality that official diagnostics do not and likely will never have, as it's not in the manufacturer's factory interests. By acquiring Loki, you gain the most comprehensive control over your Tesla vehicle and the widest range of repair and adjustment possibilities available today.