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by JohnFen 1044 days ago
I despise that check engine light for exactly that reason. It would be much more helpful if the car also displayed the error code that made the light turn on. Then I'd know how urgent the issue is and whether I need to take it to the shop.

But then, I'm a dev, not a normal person.
1 comments
Beldin 1044 days ago
The light tells you that already: take it to the shop.

The annoying part for folks used to having control (eg power users) is that someone else decided that that was enough info for drivers. If you want the power-user car UI, you'll need to get out of the driver's seat and put on your mechanic hat. (Like sibling comment who purchased an ODBC reader.)

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JohnFen 1044 days ago
> The light tells you that already: take it to the shop.

No, it doesn't. The light comes on for routine maintenance that doesn't require a shop, and it comes on for things that might require a shop, but not urgently as well as things that are urgent.

I did get an ODBC reader just for this reason. But I shouldn't have had to. The car should just give me the code(s) itself.

> The annoying part for folks used to having control (eg power users) is that someone else decided that that was enough info for drivers.

I'm not annoyed at not having control. I'm annoyed that whoever decided that a single light gave enough information was incorrect.

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zlg_codes 1044 days ago
And that's a flaw in the design of modern vehicles. The vague error messages give mechanics lots of leeway on screwing over people, much like computer repair shops will charge exorbitantly to the person who doesn't understand computers.

Transparent error messages are more useful, and gatekeeping drivers with a connector and a list of codes should be considered unethical. Too many industries are trying to sell you something, but not let you make it yours or let you understand it. Before long, the value proposition will fall.

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josephcsible 1044 days ago
> The light tells you that already: take it to the shop.

That's not enough information. At a minimum, there should be a way to distinguish between "you should make an appointment with a mechanic at your earliest convenience" and "pull over right now and call a tow truck, or you'll have to completely replace your engine and transmission".

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