"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Since the mandate of the OBD-II port in 1996, auto mechanics have accessed vital information about your ...

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 ...

Most of us cringe in fear when the check engine light in the dashboard of a modern 4x4 is tripped on. Your mind begins to spin in frustration wondering what could have triggered it, how bad it really ...

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 ...

In the Last diagnostics article, we outlined how to retrieve and decipher engine diagnostics for engines running OBD-I engine management computers. OBD or On Board Diagnostics is a subsystem of the ...

In the past, car diagnostic tools were prohibitively expensive. Prior to 1996, an independent technician could expect to pay thousands of dollars for a tool that was compatible with only a single ...

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The check-engine light suddenly appearing on your dashboard is enough to dampen any drive. For the ...

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 ...

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?