That dang Check Engine light came on again. Now what? Yes you get that there's something wrong with your car's engine. But the geniuses behind this little dashboard distraction didn't program it to tell you, the driver, what the problem is or how serious it might be. Can you kind of ignore it for a few days and continue driving? Or should you be diving out of the driver's window RIGHT NOW because the fuel system is about to explode in a hellish fireball? It would be good to know.

But no, when that Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light comes on, Mr. Ford and Mr. Toyota and Mr. B. M. Dubbleyou say just take the car to an Authorized Service Center, no questions asked. As if you know nothing about cars. As if you've never filled the wiper fluid dealiebob before, or checked the oil with that dipper dookicky.

Well, the PocketScan Plus Engine Light Urgency Indicator is a lot less condescending. It's a handheld electronic device that tells you what's wrong when the Check Engine light is on, and how urgently you need to get it fixed. You just plug the PocketScan Plus into the engine diagnostic (OBD II) port in your vehicle, located under the steering column. The device then automatically performs a basic health check on your vehicle's system. It retrieves the diagnostic "trouble code" that caused the engine light to turn on and displays the backlit LCD screen. PocketScan Plus also tells you the urgency of the problem using one of the four color bars: Green means no trouble codes are present; Yellow means repair within five days; Orange means get to a repair shop within two days to avoid further damage; and Red means to get it taken care of ASAP.

You can also learn more about the specific trouble code at issue by going to PocketScan Plus's website. Enter the code and you'll get a description of the problem and what engine components are involved, plus possible vehicle symptoms and common causes of the component failure. You will be more informed when you take the car in for service, so you'll avoid asking embrassing questions like, "Could it be something to do with those sparky prongs?"

Additional Information

• Instant auto check-up for peace of mind
• Works with all 1996 and newer vehicles
• Internal softaware is internet updateable (USB Cable not included)
• Includes soft case and manual
• Requires 4 x AA batteries, not included
• One year warranty

Warranty Information
Orion products are covered by a limited, non-transferable warranty. Products sold through this website and our catalog that do not bear the Orion Brand name are serviced and supported exclusively by their manufacturers in accordance with terms and conditions packaged with the products. Orion's Limited Warranty does not apply to products that are not Orion-branded, even if packaged or sold with Orion products. Please contact the manufacturer directly for technical support and customer service.