Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? The check engine light by its nature is vague, just a general indication that ...

In 1976, Chrysler ushered in the computer engine management system era with their Electronic Lean Burn 400 4-bbl. This early computerized spark-advance control system was developed to make the engine ...

Ever since OBDII vehicles became the norm, anyone interested in repairing them must have a scan tool at hand. Some people refer to those devices as scan tools, diagnostic machines, or OBD dongles. In ...

If you've been involved in automotive repair for a while, you probably know that modern vehicles use onboard diagnostic (OBD) systems to help notify us when there's a problem. The OBD system works ...

The top end of the technology ladder is held by a scan tool. This car diagnostic tool plugs into the OBD-II port (“OBD” is an acronym for on-board diagnostics, and the “II” designates the second ...

Q. I have a newer Toyota Camry and an older Ford F-150. What does a scanner do that a code reader cannot do? Can you recommend one that you have found acceptable? A. A code reader will read most ...

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 ...

Micah is a 20-year authority in the automotive industry with extensive experience founded on marketing, events, and racing. His writing beats can be found in various online publications such as Car ...

Q How useful are the under-$100 scanners you see at the auto supply store? They make it sound like you can fix anything with them. — Gene Hammond A: The tools Gene is referring to are OBD-II scan ...