Gadget Allows Car Owners To Diagnose Car Problems
POSTED: Monday, December 5, 2005
UPDATED: 5:48 pm EST December 5,
2005
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An automotive gadget that claims to replace trips to the mechanic was put to the test by Problem Solver Mark Shumacher.Shumacher said more and more drivers are taking car troubles into their own hands by linking into their car's data port with an On-Board Data (OBD) code reader.Since 1996, every car was built with a computer system so the product can be used on most vehicles.When using an OBD code reader, a letter and some numbers are showen on the gadget's display. The OBD reader then decodes it.The more expensive models, like an Actron OBD code reader, shows the code and tells owners what is wrong. The Actron device sells for $149.Lower-end models offer only a code, according to the report. The code then must be matched to a description in a book or on the Internet.Schumacher found OBD readers from $30 to $600 while surfing online."Usually, someone who knows something about cars will come in and buy it and diagnose their own car trouble," Advance Auto Pars worker John Cave said."Many shops charge $40, $50 and up to $80 to diagnose your car's problem," Shumacher said. "All they are doing is using their own code readers. So, you can save every time you need a repair."Watch Local 6 News for more on this developing story.
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