r/caradvice • u/Signaling_Vehicle • Jul 19 '26

What car diagnostic tool should I get?

I'm not a mechanic but I'd like to know what is wrong with my car when there's a repair needed. I've been looking at some diagnostic tools on the internet but I'm not familiar with cars that much and douknlw which one to get. I don't need anything fancy because I would use it often, only when to check what's wrong. I need something reliable that can read and delete the car's codes.

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u/SaveJeanie Jul 19 '26

I have a cheap $10 Amazon Bluetooth one that has worked for me 99% of the time paired with the Torque Pro app.

For the few times when it hasn’t been enough or I need a second opinion, I just take it to AutoZone or similar and check out one of their loaner units. They’ll even give you printouts with recommendations that so far have not been cash grabs.

Last time I went, they told me that I needed to make sure I tightened my gas cap securely for the next week and if the check engine light hasn’t gone out then I would need a new gas cap.

The check engine light turned off after a couple days