An OBD-II scan tool is an incredibly useful automotive diagnostic device, but it's not magic. Here's what it can and can't do ...

OBD-II diagnostic device BlueDriver interprets engine error codes to suggest what might need fixing, and lets you know if your car is ready for a smog check. Wayne ...

Modern vehicles’ sophisticated electronics go far beyond the simple car mechanics most of us grew up with. Now, OBD, or on-board diagnostics, diagnoses almost every issue within your vehicle. Whether ...

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 ...

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 ...

I was recently at a seminar going over some diagnostics for some of the problematic and reoccurring fault codes. The general discussion led us in an interesting direction about the nature of fault ...

If you've ever gone to a mechanic for a check engine light problem on your car, then chances are you've heard the technician say something about an OBD scanner. It's a handheld phone-like device that ...

We've compiled a list of some of the best OBD2 diagnostic scanners describing their features, specifications, compatibility, and benefits. The automotive industry has a huge variety of OBD2 scanners ...

Car trouble got you down? When diagnosing a problem in any modern vehicle, your first plan of attack should be to check under the steering wheel. Then plug in a diagnostic tool to your OBD2 port and ...