Imagine quickly diagnosing why your car's check engine light is on. A scan tool, also known as a trouble code reader, can ...

Your check engine light can come on a host of reasons, ranging from a loose gas cap to a faulty engine component. If you see a light illuminated on your dashboard, you can use an OBD2 scanner to ...

Code readers are diagnostic tools that every car owner should consider owning. Having one of these is as important as carrying a spare tire or a fire extinguisher in the trunk. Back in the day, before ...

Yet anyone can get an idea of the problem with a simple check using a tool that can cost less than a pub lunch. Most cars have an On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, which allows you to plug in a device ...

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 ...

This article was updated in November 2025 with new information. You know you’ve earned your DIY stripes when you can stay calm the moment something goes wrong. And with cars, that moment usually ...

An OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) scanner can provide information about the status and health of various vehicular systems. This information can help inform the user as to what the source of a problem ...

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 ...

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 ...