• @[email protected]
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    552 years ago

    I know it’s just a meme, but an OBDII dongle — even a cheap $10 Bluetooth one — is super useful. You can read and reset the codes, and watch stats in real-time if so inclined.

    • @[email protected]
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      82 years ago

      My car doesn’t have a reliable km/h gauge so I used an app to poll the speed of the car and show it up on my phone exactly in the way you described.

      • @riodoro1
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        112 years ago

        A GPS speedo would work too.

          • @[email protected]
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            42 years ago

            A device talking to satellites in space is less exciting than some wire going to the engine 🤔

            • @sep
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              72 years ago

              Gps is a standard, anyone can do it. ODB2 is a mishmash of vendor spesific magic dust, and trap doors. It is impressive if you find a device that handles any car.

              • @grue
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                62 years ago

                The basic ODB2 stuff – which includes the speed readout – is a standard mandated by the government. It’s stuff like being able to talk to other modules over CANBUS that’s manufacturer-specific.

    • @scottywh
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      52 years ago

      The Bluetooth ones are definitely not as good as the dedicated ones but 100% better than nothing.

      It’s vital to know your own shit.

        • @scottywh
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          32 years ago

          They typically offer more features and info for even only a few dollars difference…

          …and my Bluetooth one died after a couple months just plugged in… Never had a standalone one do that.

    • @[email protected]
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      22 years ago

      For older Hondas you can nab a Honda Interface Module for like $100. Installing the nutty pirated software is another fight entirely.

    • @[email protected]
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      12 years ago

      Exactly. All the memes and stickers about letting the CEL stay on are funny, but if you don’t know what code is triggering the light, you are gambling with your car, or even your safety. Seriously people, get a CEL checked out, and then decide if you feel it’s worth fixing. Most auto parts stores, dealers, etc. will happily do it for you, often at no cost, but at least be an informed consumer instead of just hoping it will be okay.

  • OhStopYellingAtMe
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    332 years ago

    VW drivers call that a CEL, or “contains engine light.” As long as it’s lit you know your car still contains an engine.

    • Porto881
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      72 years ago

      As a former Land Rover owner, I panicked when the CEL turned out

  • @gndagreborn
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    232 years ago

    Bro is getting the most out of his 2006 Honda Civic. He’ll be driving it up until the inevitable heat death of the universe.

  • @Cannibal_MoshpitV3
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    212 years ago

    Lmao. But in all seriousness taking it in right away or getting a code reader could mean the difference between a $100 fix and a $1200 fix

  • @[email protected]
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    202 years ago

    My Honda check engine light came on and… it was a faulty check engine light bulb, got it replaced, no more check engine light

    • @wholeofthemoon
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      22 years ago

      There is no light on the engine so don’t worry about it.

      You’re welcome

  • @[email protected]
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    192 years ago

    Get a cheap OBD2 scanner. They cost like €5 for Bluetooth ones and will tell you what error codes you are getting. A lot of them are not serious, and would save you a lot of money.

  • @owatnext
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    152 years ago

    In all seriousness, keep up on car maintenance. It’s cheaper in the long run that way. And if your CEL ever flashes, get that checked out ASAP. That means there is a much bigger problem such as a misfire or a fueling issue. Both of those could melt or clog your catalytic converters. Those things are big money.

    • @grue
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      92 years ago

      And if your CEL ever flashes, get that checked out ASAP. That means there is a much bigger problem such as a misfire or a fueling issue.

      And if you get an oil warning light, pull over and shut the car off immediately (as in, within seconds) or else you’ll need a new engine.

      • @[email protected]
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        72 years ago

        Seriously. I used to work at a car dealership’s service department. One of the technicians was assigned a lady who didn’t have any oil in her car because of some issue. The warranty was going to cover the repair. He told her to have the car towed in. But, no, she was able to get the car started, so she decided to drive it in. The car died in the service lane as we were about to check it in. The warranty wasn’t going to cover a fried engine that was her fault.

      • @[email protected]
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        12 years ago

        Sigh More Jeep stories. Despite regular oil changes and maintenance my Jeep would occasionally just fail to build oil pressure all together when starting. Shutting down and starting again always fixed it, never had any crud in the oil pan, happened 3 or 4 times a year for 12 years. New owner says it still does it.

  • @[email protected]
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    132 years ago

    The check other just tells you that your car still has an engine. What you REALLY don’t want to see is that light randomly disappearing. At that point your car no longer cares about the engine and will get rid of it.

  • Cyrus Draegur
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    122 years ago

    As long as one’s bank account balance is lower than one’s IQ, the check engine light will never be anything more than a suggestion.

  • @Hotdogman
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    122 years ago

    Got about another 85,000 miles before having to think about it again

  • @CADmonkey
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    112 years ago

    Or you’re driving a Chevy colorado/GMC Canyon and that light basically just means the engine is running, because it’s been on since the truck had 45k miles and replacing the parts so that the little princess ECU will stop setting codes over a 0.001 deviation from the norm is just a waste of time.

    But I wouldn’t know anything about that.

  • @DaCrazyJamez
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    102 years ago

    Man, I drive an older German car, and they take their warning lights seriously. Like if you’re driving to the hospital and the gas light comes on, you’re stopping for gas.