Autel MaxiScan MS300 Handy little gadget

In the past whenever I encounter a check engine light, I'd always take it to the dealer or garage and just pay whatever is needed to get the problem fixed. Now that my car is over a decade old, I don't see the point of shelling out big bucks for it. Someone recommended I take the car to advanced auto parts to have the code read to get an idea of the general problem. I found out it's just that my car is producing more carbon then it's used to, but otherwise nothing wrong. With the check engine light on I wouldn't pass the emissions test, and couldn't renew my tag. Right after I used the code reader to turn off the check engine light, I take it for emissions test, and passed! Of course you should always use the scanner regularly to find out if other more serious problems develop, if it's just some minor bugs that don't endanger your driving then it's fine.