Topic: Code reader, 2009 Toyota Matrix

[razorboy]

The Matrix has about 180,000 km on it, and things occasionally act up, or maybe it's 'act out.'  Is there a reader which will cover the tranny and engine well, at less than a king's ransom in price?  Is there any need to be car-brand specific, or will a general one do. Also, a specific question is: can the code readers detect faulty warning lights & such?  I have no smartphone.

Thanks very much for any advice.

[razorboy]

Up late... I'm reading about using a laptop instead of phone, and without the dedicated code-reader - I think !!


I found the idea here:  https://www.caranalytics.co.uk/guides/how-to-use-your-laptop-as-an-automotive-scanner/

and the software is here, for example:  https://www.scantool.net/.  It seems you have to buy the software and a connecting cable: https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-ex/

Of course, if the code reader does the job without a separate reader or phone, so much the better.

[blur911]

https://www.innova.com/products/carscan-mobile

Innova makes decent stuff, maybe this...or the ones you listed.