• qjkxbmwvz@lemmy.sdf.org
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    2 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.

  • rab@lemmy.ca
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    2 years ago

    That’s how a $50 problem becomes a $2000 problem

    • SkepticElliptic@beehaw.org
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      2 years ago

      This is how my buddy blew the engine on his insight. It was burning oil so long that it melted the spark plugs. He could have had it fixed for free but he didn’t know about it until that extension had ended.

      I actually don’t know what was wrong with it because he never let me take a look for him. I offered to have an engine delivered to my house and me and another friend could have slapped a used engine in.

      He was hellbent on buying a new car so he traded it in.

    • ZC3rr0r@lemmy.ca
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      2 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.

  • gndagreborn@lemmy.world
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    2 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.

  • thepiguy@lemmy.ml
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    2 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.

  • OceanSoap@lemmy.ml
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    2 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

  • Cannibal_MoshpitV3@lemmy.world
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    2 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

    • debounced@kbin.run
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      2 years ago

      98 Camry has joined the chat

      Another old girl that refuses to die, but sure likes to keep me busy and my wallet empty. I’ll get maybe a few weeks to enjoy the peace before something else decides it needs replacing, but luckily I do all the work myself… easy enough these days with YouTube and Toyota Camry forums.

      • bird@aussie.zone
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        2 years ago

        I like the 90s Camries, they have character.

        Can I join in and cry loudly in 95 Honda Legend? And parts?! That’s a good one. There are so many dumb little components on this thing that are all taking their turns to die this year.

  • Cyrus Draegur@lemm.ee
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    2 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.

  • Chadus_Maximus@lemm.ee
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    2 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.

  • owatnext@lemmy.world
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    2 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.

  • DaCrazyJamez@lemmy.world
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    2 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.

  • CADmonkey@lemmy.world
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    2 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.