>> a lot of cars have a socket under the driver's dash you can plug into and ask it WTF it's flashing CHECK ENGINE and you can replace the proper gee-gaw without guesswork... the thingy to plug into it runs from $32-100 <<
Oh, they tried that in T-America and got sued. Buying a car entitles you to know how it works. The maker is obligated to provide an owner's manual. If the hardware and software don't communicate clearly enough -- if you need a separate tool to read it -- then that has to be included in the purchase price as an auxiliary manual. Most manufacturers decided it was easier to A) make the communication clearer and/or B) put the electronic reader and manual in the interface tablet mounted in the dashboard on models that have one.
Re: Well ...
Oh, they tried that in T-America and got sued. Buying a car entitles you to know how it works. The maker is obligated to provide an owner's manual. If the hardware and software don't communicate clearly enough -- if you need a separate tool to read it -- then that has to be included in the purchase price as an auxiliary manual. Most manufacturers decided it was easier to A) make the communication clearer and/or B) put the electronic reader and manual in the interface tablet mounted in the dashboard on models that have one.