Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Modern cars are technological marvels, and understanding what's happening under the hood has never been more important—or more ...

The world of car diagnostics has changed a lot over the last 50 years. Back in the '70s and earlier, a mechanic's most valuable diagnostic tools were usually their eyes and ears. You could figure out ...

Modern technology has made diagnosing vehicular issues much easier than ever before. Using an OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) scanner is a relatively simple process that can provide crucial information ...

We earn commissions from purchases you make using links in our articles. Learn more. If your car or truck’s check engine light is on, there’s a stumble when accelerating, or if the transmission just ...

Seeing your vehicle's check-engine light come on can throw a wrench in your travel plans. It can also feel a little scary: Does it mean your ride is headed for the scrapyard? Or is there a simple fix?

There it is. On your dashboard. Staring at you, mocking you, making you plot insurance fraud: your car’s check engine light. That little bugger has been on your dash for weeks now and you haven’t been ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The OBD acronym stands for on-board diagnostics, a system built into modern vehicles that monitors the performance of the engine and other ...

An OBD2 scanner that can read your vehicle’s trouble codes is a critical tool for DIYers. But even if you don’t like turning wrenches yourself, it’s hugely helpful to be able to get an idea of what’s ...

The second iteration of on-board diagnostics, OBD II, has been required tech on all new cars sold in the U.S. since 1996. That means that anyone who uses or works on cars less than three decades old ...

After all, that’s precisely what the shop will do—so why not arm yourself with the same info? These days, there’s a huge range of scanners available, from basic plug-ins to high-tech Bluetooth models ...

That's where OBD-II scanners come in, giving enthusiasts and everyday drivers a window into their vehicle's diagnostic systems. If you're chasing down the cause of a check-engine light, ensuring peak ...