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?

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 ...

If you own a car, you need an OBD2 scanner. The most basic function of these devices is to tap into your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics system to read and clear engine trouble codes. But then, ...

You're driving down the road, everything seemingly normal. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see a light come on: the dreaded check-engine light. A lot of people just ignore it; after all, it's ...

“It’s a solid tool for any car enthusiast.” ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. What do you do when the "Check Engine" light comes on in your car? A lot of people just ignore it; after all, that sensor is ...

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?

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 ...

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 ...