When that light comes on it can ruin even the best of days. And, we all know what happens when you ignore it for to long.
If your car is new enough to have an onboard computer (usually 1996’s and up) you can take it to a car parts store like CheckerAuto, AutoZone or your mechanic (if you can afford it) so they can plug into the onboard computer with their diagnostic device to retrieve “trouble codes” from your car. Most mechanics will charge you for this, but I know CheckerAuto and AutoZone will do it free, when your check engine is on. Sometime getting the car to one of these places is near impossible, especially when the SOB will not start. Most of the time I am luck enough that the car breaks down at home.
In this day and age of living paycheck to pay check, doing stuff like car repairs yourself is cheaper (most of the time), since the cost are only for parts not labor. I know not all mechanics are crooks out to swindle you, most are honest good people just making a living. But, you still have to watch out for the one telling you need “a new catalytic converter” when you just went in for an oil change.
Finally, there is a diagnostic device similar to the ones the pros use available to average Joes.
Thanks to CarMD, a year old firm based in Fountain Valley, CA. for $90.00 dollars you can purchase one of these, 2007 Consumer Electronics Show award winners, for yourself. They say it will not “replace” or “outdo” a mechanic’s diagnostic equipment. However, you know mechanics and the whole industry are shaking in their boots. This will save you some unnecessary trips to the shop. Even the auto parts industry will notice a slight drop is sales or an increase if people do more things them selves. So many, many time we have changed a part that did not need to be changed. Most of the time once you put the part on you cannot return it. Wasting 10.00, 15.00 dollars. It does not seem like a lot at the time but they add up. A reader like this would pay for it’s self in the end. I plan to get one of those babies. I wish I had one last week when my mother-in-law’s car broke down.
The device is easy to use, yes, I know I do not have one, but I have seen it done at AutoZone and on TV. The hardest part appears to be finding the place to connect it in your car (often under the dashboard). CarMD’s online data based is a good place to start a search.
After plugging it in and it does its thing, one of the three lights with flash, determining your next move.
You need to register your car with CarMD online (up to three cars). That away you can upload data from the device to CarMD’s website (does not support Mac). By using, the “trouble code” retrieved from the car’s computer they will make suggested repairs. In addition, you can an idea of how much is will cost, if you know what it wrong.
If you spend some time, researching you will be able to talk with your mechanic better and understand what the heck he is talking about. I myself would not want to walk in not having a clue as to what is wrong.
If there is no recommended repairs for the “trouble code” you are getting check back with the website in a week or two, they have technicians updating CarMD’s database constantly.
They also have a phone system set up with live technicians for customers that break down on the road or cannot get online.
I am sure there will be copycats of CarMD in the near future, but they have set the bar. The only thing that would be better is if you could use it on older cars too. I do not know why you can’t, most 80’s cars have computers, and I had them plug in my ’86 Camaro at AutoZone.
