Silver Snap-Tool is the first software officially certified by the California Air Resource Board (CARB). This user-friendly software tool fulfills all requirements of the California Clean Truck Check (CTC) Program. It supports truck owners and fleet managers in collecting and automatically transmitting the required OBD data for fast emission control and a cleaner environment. Since January 2023, customers have been able to officially use the Silver Snap-Tool for CA Clean Truck Testing supported by RA Automotive Software Solutions.
Our new Pre-Check Viewer tool provides parameters for vehicle readiness like warm-up cycles (WUC), distance traveled in km, engine running time in minutes since the codes were cleared, and the number of active permanent diagnostic fault codes. Every Silver Snap-Tool user can use the Pre-Check Viewer at no additional cost.
Clean Truck Checks
Users
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has developed the Clean Truck Check Program for heavy-duty non-gasoline vehicles to ensure that heavy-duty vehicle emission control systems function properly and remain low-emission throughout their operating life.
The program applies to all diesel and alternative fuel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds, including all out-of-state vehicles. While older vehicles require a smoke opacity test and a visual inspection, vehicles with model year 2013 and newer diesel engines and model year 2018 and newer alternative fuel engines are required to submit OBD data instead.
Anyone who wishes to collect and submit OBD data for compliance with the Clean Truck Check program must successfully complete a free online training session from CARB, pass the accompanying exam and receive a Tester ID to become an approved tester.
Silver Snap-Tool is a Windows software application for reading OBD data from heavy-duty vehicles. After the readout, the data is packaged, encrypted and finally transmitted to a CARB server.
On the CARB side, the data is automatically analyzed and the submitter receives a “pass” or “fail” result via email. The application is very easy to use and allows only the settings that are really necessary to read and submit the data in order to maximize a positive user experience and ensure high robustness. The focus is on efficiency and simplicity for the user.
The software is easy to install and operate for all tech skill levels. Our “Get Ready” section and a short tutorial video can assist you step-by-step. For extra convenience, you can choose between a dark or light screen mode.
This unique software is designed to test trucks in a matter of minutes. With our highly reliable and monitored servers we have your data secure and ready to be analyzed, even if CARB experiences downtime.
View all your test results on our website portal. Export data to Excel for reporting. Utilize search fields to find specific results.
Managers: View results for your shop, or region, or company.
Our dedicated US based team offers comprehensive support. You can contact us via email, phone, or the support form below. Every day we strive to exceed our customers´ expectations reflected in exceptional satisfaction reviews.
Silver Snap-Tool was the first CARB-certified solution that covers all areas of the CTC program. It enables vehicle and fleet owners to effortlessly test vehicles and transmit data to CARB for fast analysis.
Silver Snap-Tool is backed by RA Consulting, a company providing excellence in automotive diagnostic software for around 35 years. Silver Snap-Tool is based on our extremely stable and recognized OBD product Silver Scan Tool.
Pre-Check Viewer
Check the readiness status of your truck before you transmit CTC data to CARB.
Free Updates
Customers with active DTS account get free Silver Snap-Tool software updates.
Full Service
Get everything you need from us: Software, hardware, service, support.
Technical Support
Dedicated support for your Silver Snap-Tool by our US-based expert team.
Additional Testers
Additional testers added any time free of charge.
License Transfers
Do not worry if you change your computer: Free software transfer.
To run Silver Snap-Tool you need a standard laptop with
The software can be installed alongside other programs. Dedicated laptop not necessary.
Used to connect the computer on which Silver Snap-Tool is operated with the vehicle to be tested. To ensure fast installation and reliable operation of your software, we can supply you with all the equipment from a single source.
Following is a list of CARB-approved VCI hardware devices. Choose between the following options to test vehicles equipped with either an OBDII or J1939 connector.
The devices can be ordered directly from RA Automotive Software Solutions with the form below. Devices not available from us can be purchased on the open market.
U100 is robust and with the necessary adapter cables provides an overall length of 12.7 feet.
DrewLinQ
Kvaser Leaf Light HS v2 OBDII
SAE J1979
Kvaser USA
Kvaser U100 Dsub9 with OBDII and J1939-13 Type II adapter cables
Kvaser USA
DrewLinQ including adapter cable to OBDII / J1939 Type II
SAE J1979, SAE J1939
Drew Technologies, USA
$376
Kvaser Leaf Light HS v2 J1939-13 Type II
SAE J1939
Kvaser USA
$376
$755
$795
DG DPA XL
Nexiq USB-Link 3
Instead of the packages above you can also use the following vehicle communication interface device.
DG DPA-XL incl. adapter cable to OBDII / J1939 Type II
SAE J1979, SAE J1939
Dearborn Technologies, USA
Nexiq USB-Link 3
NEXIQ Technologies, USA
Nexiq USB-Link 2
SAE J1979, SAE J1939
NEXIQ Technologies, USA
Currently not available.
$850
$795
No longer manufactured.
Leaf Light v2 cable length is 4.9 feet. If you only require the OBDII connection or only the J1939-13 Type II connection, you can also purchase the devices separately.
Kvaser Leaf Light HS v2 OBDII
SAE J1979
Kvaser USA
$376
Kvaser Leaf Light HS v2 J1939-13 Type II
SAE J1939
Kvaser USA
$376
U100 is robust and with the necessary adapter cables provides an overall length of 12.7 feet.
Kvaser U100 Dsub9 with OBDII and J1939-13 Type II adapter cables
Kvaser USA
$755
DrewLinQ
DrewLinQ including adapter cable to OBDII / J1939 Type II
SAE J1979, SAE J1939
Drew Technologies, USA
$795
DG DPA XL
DG DPA-XL incl. adapter cable to OBDII / J1939 Type II
SAE J1979, SAE J1939
Dearborn Technologies, USA
Currently not available.
$850
Nexiq USB-Link 3
Nexiq USB-Link 3
NEXIQ Technologies, USA
$795
Instead of the packages above you can also use the following vehicle communication interface device.
Nexiq USB-Link 2
SAE J1979, SAE J1939
NEXIQ Technologies, USA
No longer manufactured.
Please provide us with information about your company, the number of licenses you need and if you also need vehicle communication interface hardware.
How to check if my truck meets CARB´s readiness criteria using the Pre-Check Viewer tool?
Our new Pre-Check Viewer tool provides parameters to show the vehicle readiness status like warm-up cycles (WUC), distance traveled in km, engine running time in minutes since the codes were cleared, and the number of active permanent diagnostic fault codes. Based on these parameters, the user can decide whether the truck meets the CARB readiness criteria and whether it makes sense to perform the OBD test.
Every Silver Snap-Tool user can use the Pre-Check Viewer at no additional cost.
If you want to install the tool, please contact: sales@ra-automotive.net
Additional information you can find here: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/obd-readiness-criteria
What is the minimal equipment I need to do Clean Truck Check testing?
Also, a set like this is never bound to a single person but can be used by several users/testers – for example, if they work on different shifts and don’t need it simultaneously.
On how many computers can I run a license of Silver Snap-Tool?
You can only register a license on one computer at a time.
However you can move the license to another computer, for example if you buy a new one.
See “How do I transfer a license to another/new computer/laptop?” in such a case.
Do I need to pay annual subscription fee for each tester sharing one laptop?
No, you can have an unlimited number of users (testers) sharing the same laptop. The software license and annual data transfer service is registered to the laptop, not the user/tester.
If you only have one laptop, you only pay one annual fee regardless of the number of users.
How many users can I have per license?
There is no limit at all, except that all users need to share the computer that Silver Snap-Tool is installed to.
In this case, we recommend that each user sets up their own Windows account on the computer instead of sharing a single Windows account.
If I have several licenses, are DTS user accounts bound to a specific license?
No, any user can use any license. User accounts are not bound to specific licenses or distribution numbers.
Can I use a device that I already own?
Of course. If you already own one of the approved interface devices you can use it. In this case you only need the software, which is Silver Snap-Tool plus a data transfer service (DTS) subscription.
Can I use a device that is not listed/approved?
No. Silver Snap-Tool will only allow you to use interface devices that are approved by CARB. Please find the list of devices here.
Why do I receive the test result "Pass*"?
What is the Readiness criteria and how to get the truck READY?
The diagnostic trouble codes have been cleared recently and not all readiness monitors are set to ready state again. CARB has prepared an own website with information about Operation Since codes Cleared (OSC) and how to reach a status to get a Pass result without a *. In the future, Pass* results will no longer be possible; this will lead to a Fail result instead. Read more on OBD Readiness Criteria | California Air Resources Board
Please check our FAQ first to see if your issue has already been solved.
License and registration
I didn’t get the email with the license key.
Check your junk folder. Also, consider using the Online method like recommended in our video. With this method you don’t need the email for finishing the registration.
How do I transfer a license to another/new computer/laptop?
Just contact support@rac.de with subject “Silver Snap-Tool hardware change” in such a case and – if you own several licenses – provide the distribution number of the one you want to move. You will be provided with further instructions then.
Usage
Please see chapter “daily use” in the Silver Snap-Tool manual.
Troubleshooting
There is another name entered in "Your information" when I want to create a snapshot. How is that?
Most probably you are sharing a computer and a single Windows user account with your peers. The name is not stored or retrieved from the DTS server. Instead, Silver Snap-Tool locally stores the given name in the currently signed-in Windows user account. This is why you will find yourselves overwriting each others name again and again in such a “single Windows account for everyone” scenario. Therefore we recommend instead that each user sticks to Microsoft’s idea and sets up their own Windows account on the computer instead of sharing a single Windows account. If you don’t want to follow this recommendation, as a simple workaround, you could also just leave the name empty as it isn’t a mandatory piece of data, regarding Clean Truck Check program.
User accounts
Is user defined as individual tester or company?
User is defined as a tester.
How can I add a tester/user to my subscription?
As soon as you or your peer have completed the CARB training and exam just provide us with
of the person to add.
Can I add a tester later?
Yes. This is free of charge.
Please check our FAQ page first to see if your request has already been answered.
How to install Silver Snap-Tool (Video)
How to use Silver Snap-Tool (Video)
Agreement: RA Automotive Software Solutions, Inc. and the manufacturer of the software, RA Consulting GmbH in Germany, are only responsible for the production and delivery of the software. The supplied software Silver Snap-Tool captures OBD data from vehicles and transmits it to a server operated at CARB. The use of the software is the sole responsibility of the user. Attempting to manipulate the captured data in any way is the sole responsibility of the user and is subject to California law.
RA Automotive Software Solutions Inc.
1850 Research Drive Suite 208
Troy, MI 48083 USA
Email sales@ra-automotive.net
Phone +1 (586) 782 5121
Web www.ra-automotive.net
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