Diagnose car troubles before they even happen using this $15 device

Image: kobra

By TEAM COMMERCEMashable Deals2019-04-30 09:00:00 UTC

Hoping to ditch your clunky car because of an impending utopian future in which self-driving cars render car ownership obsolete? Think again. While autonomously driving vehicles have been all the talk for a few years now, they’re still a distant dream (the closest thing is Waymo’s new app, which has a waitlist).

That doesn’t mean you have to constantly lug your car to the mechanic for the smallest of issues. Here’s a game-changing hack: Get an OBD scanner.

WTF is that, you ask? Some context: OBD scanners work by accessing the OBD-II (or Onboard Diagnostics) system on your car. OBD-II is a standardized system that runs on its onboard computer and offers an array of communication protocols, codes, and other data used to diagnose car health. Most cars are equipped with an OBD-II system, and that probably applies to your vehicle as well.

Ever wonder how your mechanic always troubleshoots your car’s problems? There you go.

OBD scanners are pretty straightforward to use, especially if you have a consumer-friendly model. Simply insert a universal plug into your car’s OBD-II diagnostic connector, and use in tandem with a compatible OBD app. Any quality OBD scanner has access to all the data from OBD-II systems for all car makes and models made since 1996, which means it’s an easy way to troubleshoot car problems before they become serious.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a recommended pick: The KOBRA wireless car scanner, which has a rating of four out of five stars on Amazon (from over 700 reviews) and which we have on sale in the Mashable Shop for 70% off.

The KOBRA is simple and easy to use. It works with any device with a WiFi connection and is compatible with a huge range of OBD apps: DashCommand, OBD Auto Doctor, and Torque Pro. And since it’s programmed to identify more than 3,000 trouble codes, any car trouble you encounter is a snap to solve.

The KOBRA Wireless Car Scanner has an MSRP of $49.99, but you can grab it for just $14.99.