Have your owner’s manual handy. Place your vehicle in “park,” or “neutral” for a manual transmission. Firmly set the parking brake. Download and install the manufacturer’s code reader app to your ...

Cars are more than just oil and steel. Modern models have incorporated electronics and computer chips to help manage and optimize their mechanical components. That means maintaining your car's ...

This article was updated in August 2025 with new products and information. That little yellow check-engine light is sneaky. Most of the time, you forget it could be there. But when it detects an issue ...

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 ...

“It’s nice knowing what’s wrong with the car before you bring it in for service.” Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may ...

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, ...

Nobody likes seeing a warning light on their dashboard, and it’s even worse if you don’t know what it means. But most cars keep a record of any malfunction in their onboard computer, and you can ...

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 ...

A journalist's experience with a check engine light and an outrageous $250 diagnostic fee reveals how a simple, affordable tool can save you from questionable auto shop practices and hundreds of ...

Onboard diagnostics (OBD) systems have been around since the 1980s and were developed to help limit harmful automotive exhaust emissions. Between 1988 and 1995, U.S.-built vehicles came with what's ...

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 ...