[mdoyle]

A few years ago we had a Chrysler Town & Country that went into limp mode where the transmission stays in 2nd gear so you can get to a dealer. Since we were near the intersection of middle and nowhere, we bought a scanner and reset the code.

It took a few more resets but we finally made it back home so the scanner saved us a very expensive tow and another night in the local roach motel. Since then I've used it several times as have most of my friends, neighbors and co-workers.

When you consider the wide range of vehicles and model years supported by OBD-II, it's worth keeping. Even if you end up at a mechanic, some of them will discount the diagonstic fee if you bring them the codes. I figure at the minimum you'll at least demonstrate you know the score and will be less likely to be taken advantage of.

One word of advice to anyone considering buying one, some code readers only provide an error code that you then must look up in a code book. That's okay as long as you don't lose the book, if possible look for a reader that displays a code description so a separate book isn't required.