Silver Snap-Tool
Please check the FAQ first to see if your issue has already been resolved.
General Information
How to check if my truck meets CARB´s readiness criteria using the Pre-Check Viewer tool?
Our 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 CA Clean Truck Check testing?
- You need a Silver Snap-Tool license (perpetual) that you install to your existing Windows 10 or 11 computer (also see system requirements).
- You need a data transfer service (DTS) subscription (annual). This is per license, not per user/tester.
- You need one of the approved interface devices. In case of Kvaser Leaf Light you probably need both to be able to test vehicles equipped with 9-pin (Type II) as well 16-pin (OBD II) connectors. Also see further questions and answers on hardware devices.
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 do not 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.
Which interfaces have been approved for use with the Silver Snap-Tool?
Here you can see the list of approved interfaces by CARB:
• Kvaser Leaf Light HS v2 OBD II
• Kvaser Leaf Light HS v2 J1939-13 Type II
• Kvaser U100 including adapter cables to OBD II / J1939 Type II
• Kvaser Leaf v3
• DG Technologies DPA XL including adapter cable to OBD II / J1939 Type II
• Drew Technologies DrewLinQ including adapter cable to OBD II / J1939 Type II
• NEXIQ Technologies® USB-Link™ 2
• NEXIQ Technologies® USB-Link™ 3
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
License and 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.
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.
Portal and DTS (cloud service)
How can the Silver Snap-Tool Portal help me?
The Silver Snap-Tool Portal provides you with a complete overview of all your submissions.
You can preview the CARB test results and receive details about the responses, which will help you to quickly identify problems.
You can search for submissions and export them.
As a Portal Manager, you can invite testers to send submissions, and you will see all submissions sent on behalf of your company.
Are there any fees for using the Silver Snap-Tool Portal?
Your Silver Snap-Tool subscription includes access to the Portal. There are no extra fees for using the Portal.
How do I create a username and password for Silver Snap-Tool and Portal?
Use the link portal.silversnaptool.com and click on “Register”, or click on the link sent by your Company Manager.
I have not received an invitation. What should I do?
If you know for sure that your manager or one of our support team members invited you, please check if your email has accidentally ended up in the junk or spam folder of your email account.
Make sure you have provided your Company Manager or our support team with your correct address for the invitation.
If your account was already set up and you configured your settings to not receive invitation emails from us, you can find the invitation by clicking on the bell icon in the title bar next to your name in the Silver Snap-Tool Portal. Click on the icon. You can then accept the invitation and choose which company your submissions should be assigned to.
If we have not been able to answer your question, please contact our support team.
Can I add a tester/user later?
Yes. This is free of charge and can be done at any time. Using the new self-service functions, you can add, update and delete testers and locations autonomously. Thus, it is easy to organize your company´s staff.
How can I add a tester/user to my subscription?
Ask your Company Manager to invite you to your company. Follow the instruction in the invitation mail to complete your registration. After you accepted the invitation, all your sent submissions will be visible for you as well as for your company.
Important:
You can log in to the Silver Snap-Tool Portal without a Tester ID. However, you cannot submit CA Clean Truck Check (CTC) tests in this case. In order to send CA CTC tests to CARB, your account must have a valid CARB Tester ID. Ensure that you use the same email address and Tester ID with us that you used for both CARB certification and when creating your CTC-VIS account.
Register without invitation:
You may also follow the “Register” link on our log in page to set up a new account. If you do so, submissions will be visible for you and for the company that own the Silver Snap-Tool Client license. Companies may restrict the usage of the license to company members only. In that case the invitation is mandatory. Don’t worry! Invitations can be sent and accepted later at any time, even if you registered without invitation before.
For more information, take a look at the Silver Snap-Tool User Guide. If you have any questions, please contact our support team: office@ra-automotive.net
Why must my email and CARB Tester ID in Silver Snap-Tool match my CARB certificate and my CTC-VIS account?
CARB has asked us to make sure that only certified users send in submissions. By validating your email address and storing your Tester ID with us, we verify your identity.
This is also why you must ensure all three have the same email and the same Tester ID.
How do I link my CARB Tester ID to my profile?
Log in to the Silver Snap-Tool Portal. Click on the menu in the top left corner where your name is displayed, open the “My Profile” page, and click on the “Change Tester ID” link in the “My Profile” section. Here you can enter your CARB Tester ID in. Setting the Tester ID allows you to use your account to submit tests to CARB.
You can find step-by-step instructions in our User Guide.
How do I reset my password?
You can reset your password by clicking on the “Forgot Password?” link on the Silver Snap-Tool Portal login page.
If you are already logged in and want to change your password, click on the menu in the top left corner where your name is displayed. Open the “My Profile” page and click on the “Change Password” button at the bottom of the page.
You can find step-by-step instructions in our User Guide.
How long do I have to wait for the CTC test results?
Submissions received by the Silver Snap-Tool Portal are processed in real time and forwarded to CARB. You can view the submission in the Portal immediately after sending it.
CARB’s CTC-VIS checks your data. We usually receive the California Clean Truck Check test results within 10 minutes after delivery. In most cases, it is even much faster, but CTC-VIS cannot guarantee this.
Note: Use the “Refresh” button if you cannot see your test in the Silver Snap-Tool Portal or if you want to check whether a result is available now.
If you do not receive a response within 10 minutes, please contact CARB directly.
Can I export my submissions?
You can export your submissions into an Excel sheet by clicking on the “More” menu (9 dots) at the top right of the submission list next to the search field.
Which user groups should use the Silver Snap-Tool Portal?
Submitter:
If you only want to submit tests to CARB for your company, you will have the role of a ”Submitter” in the Silver Snap-Tool Portal. In addition to sending tests, you can view all your submissions and preview the test results. You can also search for and export submissions.
Company Manager:
If you are responsible for managing submissions and submitters for your company, you will be given the role of a “Company Manager.”
You can invite other users to submit on behalf of your company. You will have access to all submissions and their results.
As a Company Manager you can also send submissions.
Can I use my account on different laptops?
Yes, you can use your account on different laptops. You just need to make sure that the Silver Snap-Tool license on the laptop has an active subscription. Companies can restrict the use of their licenses to their employees. Ensure that you have accepted the invitation from the company that owns the license.
You also must ensure that your registration on the Silver Snap-Tool Portal was complete and that your Tester ID is registered.
Do I need to change my account if I move to another company?
No. Your Silver Snap-Tool account is unique and stays with you. You can update your email address (for example, to match a new company domain) in your profile and join a different company using the same account. All tests you submitted remain linked to you and to the company you performed them for.
However, it is very important that your email address and CARB Tester ID in Silver Snap-Tool match that for your CARB certificate as well as that in your CTC-VIS account. CARB checks your email and Tester ID for every submission. If you update your account only in Silver Snap-Tool but do not update your information with CARB, your submissions may be rejected – even if you have successfully joined a new company in the Silver Snap-Tool Portal.
Do I need technical knowledge to use the Silver Snap-Tool Portal?
No. The Silver Snap-Tool Portal is a standard web application, similar to most other websites you use every day. No technical background is required.
To run and submit tests using the Silver Snap-Tool Client, you must have the required CARB certification. However, to use the Portal itself – view results, search records, manage users, or handle subscriptions – no special technical knowledge or training is needed.
Further questions?
Our RA Automotive Software Solutions team will be pleased to support you!
Phone: +1 (586) 782 5121
Email: office@ra-automotive.net