Comments on: CarMD Vehicle Code Reader Review

By: Mark Adkins

Mark Adkins — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:31:27 +0000

Not all cars, even today, can display their own codes.

By: cat

cat — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:30:18 +0000

um – anyone can already do this without a device. You turn your ignition on and off 3 times and a code comes up. then simply look the code up on the internet and voila . EVERY mechanic knows this and any REPUTABLE mechanic will diagnose your car for free just as easy as this gadget.

By: Mark Adkins

Mark Adkins — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:29:48 +0000

Sorry- you cannot. It only reads the codes.

By: sean poyser

sean poyser — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:24:32 +0000

how do i use carmd to erase trouble code

By: kachavias

kachavias — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:40:32 +0000

Press arrow down two times to clear codes

By: Mark Adkins

Mark Adkins — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:02:20 +0000

Sorry, I don’t recall, not even sure you can off-hand. You can try their on-line support.

By: franklin cristian

franklin cristian — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:40:04 +0000

How do I reset [clear code from anslizer tool?] thanks.

By: anthony

anthony — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:25:28 +0000

youknow they say you have a problem with your car and the car md say`s it cost with a labor and stuff like 200 buks then you gotoo auto place to get it fix and he say`s well it`s gonna cost 800buks what do you do sho`m the car md paperwork he`s gonna laugh in your face, tell youl it`s 800buks or go somwhere else.
and you gott t o remember one thing these mechanics know pretty much what they are doing so they charge but then i get a warranty if anything goes wrong you bring it back.maybe that car md is a good thing if you can do most reapirs your self well i guess if the gas cap is too loose .

By: CertifiedTech

CertifiedTech — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:49:49 +0000

Most people on this website dont know anything about cars or what they are talking about….The CardMD and code readers at the parts stores can only read PCM (Powertrain Control Module) codes which are the ones that are engine related…..You can have codes checked for free at parts stores…..But even with codes and CarMD’s help they can only tell you possible causes and alot of the times things can be overlooked since there is generic answers…..For a person that knows nothing about cars this might be somewhat useful…..For a person trying to fix a car by a innovatia scantool from walmart for $100 and you will be better off…..Above Ron says “It’s not so much a limitation of the device as it is the OBD-II port isn’t designed for those systems.”….He doesnt know what he is talking about….All systems are accessed through the obd port……Listen to people who post info on forums then you are a fool….I laugh everyday reading rediculous posts people say acting like they know how to fix things……Be smart, pay someone who knows what they are talking about.

By: Skizr420

Skizr420 — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:30:54 +0000

This thing is basically useless unless you live far away from society or cant run you car. Any Discount Auto Parts or Autozone will do this for free. I suppose its possible that these are not nationwide stores but I also believe that your local parts shop would do it for you considering the rest do.

By: jessy

jessy — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:55:45 +0000

Saved me about $250 the first time I used it.

My dad bought me ones of these awhile back after hearing about it winning the edison award but I never had a chance to use it until recently when my engine light turned on. It took me about two tries to get a proper read (I didn’t read the manual) and was about to call it quits when it finished. After plugging it into my computer it told me what was wrong and gave me the estimated costs for repairs (cost of parts and labor).

Whenever I went into the autoshop I usually hoped they would be honest with me rather than try to scare me into paying for something that didn’t need repairs/fixing. But this time, I knew exactly what I wanted fixed and they gave me an estimate they were sure about.

I compared it to the price that I had printed out and counter offered – at first they wouldn’t budge, but eventually someone who could make those types of decisions gave me a discount that ended up saving me about $250, which made the final repair cost less than the carmd estimate.

I don’t know much about cars and would usually believe in whatever the mechanics told me but this gave me a newfound confidence when coming in for repairs.

By: Matt Eberle

Matt Eberle — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:37:18 +0000

Save you money Oreilly’s Auto parts Store will scan you car for free with a similar tool. The only way to really be able to work on your own is to invest $5000 to $6000 on a good scan tool. All a code read does is give engine codes out one module. There are still 10 to 20 other computer modules on you car that Car MD does not see. Some cases these other modules will throw soft codes which a code reader will not find, but a Shop Scanner will find. Some of these soft codes that hidden will cause the car not to pass emissions either and your Car MD will not see that. How do I know this stuff I work on 2005 and newer cars at work everyday. I’m professional technician with eight of experience on cars. I get as much time as I need to fix cars. I’m not a flat rate technician. So because of that having up to date scan tool that is design for shop used I know this stuff. Remember schucks and Oreilly’s part store do the same as Car MD for free. thanks for reading.
Matt

By: SeraAnna

SeraAnna — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:35:57 +0000

I purchased the Car MD two weeks ago after reading about it’s Edison Award win. My intent was to give it to my father as a Father’s Day Gift. But I cracked it open 2 days ago for a friend whose Check Engine light went on. It was so easy to use and so empowering for 2 women to be able to diagnose a car issue. As it turned out her gas cap was not on tight enough and it caused the light to come on – who knew??? It saved her a trip to the dealer and convinced me to buy another Car MD for myself. So cool!!!

By: Mark Adkins

Mark Adkins — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:25:01 +0000

@Margie- If you can gt a free testing, then there is not a lot of benefit I know of.

@Garfield- You’d have to contact CarMD for help. Sorry!

By: garfield taylor

garfield taylor — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:50:07 +0000

Hi i am living in Jamaica WI and trying to set up my carMD account and can’t, why is it a problem for me?

By: margie

margie — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:51:24 +0000

I can go to any auto parts place and they will do a diognostic test for free so why would I need the carMD?

By: jeff

jeff — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:28:07 +0000

It’s also important to note that a lot of obd2 and even obd1 systems which carMD doesn’t support, will display the same info on your dashboard, for example chrysler, dodge and jeep vehicles use a key trick, turn the ignition on and off 5 times then on obd1 systems the check engine light will flash a code, on odb2 systems it will give you what’s caled a p code. P followed by four numbers on the dash ( the same code the carMD will give you ), you can look up the codes on google, or buy a haynes manual which have a lot of useful info on everything that has to do with your specific vehicle.

Some vehiles have a different obd system, for example older gm’s from about 82′ have the same 16 pin diagnostic connector, but in most cases you can use a paper clip to diagnose your problems, attach a paper clip from pin A to pin B on the 16 pin connector turn the ignition on without starting the engine, and it will flash a code, and CarMD would not be able to scan those systems.

This is not really a new concept, you can go to an autoparts store and buy a scantool maybe for less, or a better one for about the same price.

Like everybody else is saying it won’t diagnose everything, and I wouldn’t base buying a car on a simple scan. It’ll only diagnose problems that cause the check engine light come on, for example if my car had a blown head gasket, or cracked engine block, I might plug my carMD in, get a green light and I know I’d be good to go right?

By: Ron Rossman

Ron Rossman — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:11:52 +0000

“It is important to note that the CarMD does not even claim to find everything that might be wrong with your car. I know my car has problems with a couple of the electrical systems, but there was no indication of that on the report. CarMD, like most of the ‘plug-in diagnostic tools’, mostly focuses on emissions-related issues.”

That’s what the OBD-II is really for. There are some vehicles where other data runs over the CANBus (2001+ GM’s for example) where other info such as key reminder, headlight on reminder, door lock control, OEM alarm control, etc is accessible via the OBD-II. It’s not so much a limitation of the device as it is the OBD-II port isn’t designed for those systems.

By: Mark Adkins

Mark Adkins — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:57:09 +0000

As stated in the review- it DOES NOT reset or clear anything- it is only a code reader. It will tell you what error it found and what it means- although the info is generally more meaningful to a trained mechanic than to you or me.

By: john tederick

john tederick — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:28:27 +0000

do i have this correct?, read your info on the web page, if i understand if my mercedes benz has the check engine light on and it ststes “check engine electronics” and i plug in the “car-md”it will not clear the dash warning lights, correct?.will it tell me the problem? my question stems from ,i took my 96 e320 to the shop with both check engine light and check engine electronics…which turned out to be the #1 plug mis-fired at start -up…he suggested a tune-up and reset….with check engine electronics light it “blocked-out” my digital odemeter and milage..so with nothing “wrong” would it of “reset” dash so odometer or left for shop to read and clear at their rates…thanks

By: SnakeDoc

SnakeDoc — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:38:51 +0000

Received my CarMD yesterday and returned it today. The product is well made, good support and classy Website, but I was very disappointed to find after reading the instruction manual that you can only have three (3) vehicles assigned to the device. Also you have to enter the VIN number for each vehicle.

Beware, not a straight forward return policy.

Return / Refund Policy:

It is important to CarMD that you are satisfied with your product. However, CarMD is such a valuable tool that it can easily pay for itself in just one use by helping you save time and money on automotive repair costs. Thus, our return policy is as follows*:

* Replacement – If the product you receive is defective, CarMD.com Corp. will replace the unit and pay all shipping & handling charges, provided it is within the one-year warranty period.
* Refund (less 15% restocking fee) – If you return an unused product within 60 days of original purchase, CarMD.com Corp. will issue a refund (less 15% restocking fee and shipping & handling charges).

In order to receive your full refund, complete the return request form. The product must be returned in original packaging with all items in good condition within 60 days of original purchase. If the returned product is damaged, visibly used or missing parts, we will only issue a partial refund (less S&H charges).
* 50% Refund – If the CarMD tester has been used with a registered diagnostic report setup and run on the CarMD.com website (less S&H).

* Please note: Return policy privileges apply to direct CarMD.com and 888.MyCarMD phone purchases only. Policy does not apply to purchases made at retail or other third-party locations. In the event you purchased your CarMD product from another party, please see their return policy or return back to store where purchased.

For not much more money you can buy a real scanner, that cancels codes, doesn’t have to be connected to the internet to view info. If bought through Amazon.com, a much simpler and better return policy.

CarMD does have its place, but not for anyone really serious about engine diagnostics.