To use a car code reader helps you understand your car which is now a complex machine. It’s used to be that cars can be fixed by anyone because there was no computer on them before. Now almost all cars are controlled by sophisticated electronics gadgets and if you want to save on repair costs, you need to use a car code reader.

How to save thousands in repair costs when you use a car code reader!

The number one gimmick used now by some garages is your check engine light. I say this with no malice but they have to do it if you want your car to pass emission smog test. If you see it in the dash and you happened to panic and bring your car to a garage, these are what most mechanics will do:

1.) He will use a code code reader or scanner to scan the fault codes. Once the fault is determined and recorded, he will reset the code and see if the code is permanent (hard) or temporary. Temporary or intermittent code means an easy problem which normally can be done by fixing a hose, tightening something that is loose, replacing a component or even just resetting the code. The mechanic will charge you roughly between $100 to $300 depending on how expensive and accessible is the defective part. If it only needs resetting the code, you might get away with $50 or free of charge if the garage is really a good one. If mechanics need replacing a part which takes 2 hours for example, then the labor cost alone will be about $200 (at $100 per hour rate) plus the cost of the parts. However, if he has to test any suspected part before recommending a replacement for you, the verification time is EXTRA. To protect themselves, they will only change the common suspected part but warn you that there are other problems involved.

NOTE:

Getting the temporary codes can be done by you so you don’t need to pend money on garages. However, the above savings is only for one trip. What happens if the code shows up again after a week or a month? Yes…chances are you have to pay them again for the second trip. If you buy and use a code reader (under $40) and knows the common fix for the problem, you actually eliminated almost all of these costs. On some automotive online services that you can join, they will not only give you the common fix but a step by step instructions on how to VERIFY any code before you replace any parts (most vehicles will experience lots of temporary codes if they are between 3-5 years old).

2.) If your car has permanent or hard codes, the mechanic will likely ask you to leave the car to him for extensive testing.

This verification job will likely include:

When the mechanic has to do these for you, you are in for big bucks. Cost like $700-$800 is common but don’t be surprise to pay over $3000 if they have to fix a defective wiring harness or pay more than $5000 if you have a serious engine problem. Yet, you can cut on these cost if you have your own code reader and get hold of these features:

On some occasions, there will be jobs that are really difficult for you if it needs specialized tools and training. But the key here is not to let garages do the gravy jobs like those temporary codes. This accounts to over 65% or more in car repairs which you can do yourself. And when the real expensive permanent codes appears, you will also save a lot if you have done the preliminary investigation already. Mechanics will also respect that you have covered most of the basics and gave them some back ground stories or symptoms. Common fixes are taken based on these symptoms and mechanics expect you to provide it to them. Otherwise, your troubleshooting cost will take longer and cost of the repairs will soar.

Case I read when a driver does not use a code reader:

About a month ago, my ATS customer went to a garage to check the engine light in his dash. After $300 bucks later, a cam sensor part was replaced on condition another part will be replaced later if the fault code shows up again. A week later, the check engine light shows up and the customer brought it to Auto Zone instead. They found 3-4 more codes aside from the original code fixed by the previous mechanic. He ordered the part mentioned by the mechanic and thought of replacing it later. A few days later, the engine knocked and quit on him while driving home.

When the customer finally worked on it, he found a mechanical problem on it but not the part recommended by the mechanic. What I suspect happened is the original code was really a timing belt problem. It was borderline defect and the code did not re-appear after replacing the cam sensor. Driving it for a few days made it jumped one tooth out of timing and gave more codes. These would be indicated with the 3 additional codes. When driven a few days later, it was just a matter of time before the belt finally broke and damaged the engine. I verified this is a common problem because it keeps showing up in common fixes database for the model of the vehicle.

Instead of saving money on timing belt repair which normally cost about $300-$500, he will be looking at $3000-$4000 to repair the vehicle. This driver could have known that if he use a car code reader and was aware how to use it, big expense like this can be avoided.

Quick guides when buying a car code readers:

If you have a computer at home, buy a cheap code reader (under $40) for your car and join an online technical help to assist you like ATS. As you get better in troubleshooting, you can buy a more expensive car code reader with more diagnostic features. This really handy if you live a busy schedule and far from a garage.

If you have extra money to spare, buy a more complete code reader called scanner. It comes complete with instructions, engine data stream performance diagnosis, descriptions of the codes and their specific step by step repairs. You can buy them at reasonable price either at Ebay or Amazon online stores.

Precaution:

On newer vehicles, always ask the vendor if the car code reader is compatible with computer protocol called Controller Area Network (CAN) being made mandatory in 2008. Just because, it covers obd2 is enough to diagnose your car. If you notice, newer code readers has the word “CAN” stamped on them. For late 90s and early 2000s models, plain obd2 code reader is good enough.

Always check with the car code reader vendor that the tool is compatible with your car.

Suggested links for code reader:

To buy a code reader under $40, please CLICK HERE and browse from EBAY

To get unlimited common fixes, wiring diagrams and 7 days assistance CLICK HERE to join ATS

Thanks!

Richard