Before I figured out how to work on cars, onboard computer systems scared me. I’ve had no formal training, after all, so the idea of a car’s complex electricals and countless sensors made DIY work ...

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 ...

3D Insider is ad supported and earns money from clicks, commissions from sales, and other ways. This guide reviews 8 of the best OBD2 scanner choices for DIY and professional mechanics. Some are ...

We've all been there—that pesky check engine light pops up on your dashboard. Instantly, thoughts of expensive mechanic bills, weeks of it being repaired in the garage, and inconveniences galore flash ...

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 ...

Small and simple to use, Actron's PocketScan Code Reader provides good general information in an easy-to-read format, can erase trouble codes, and turns off the Check Engine light. This scanner is an ...

There it is. On your dashboard. Staring at you, mocking you, making you plot insurance fraud: your car’s check engine light. That little bugger has been on your dash for weeks now and you haven’t been ...

Modern vehicles are filled with chips and computers that control everything. A code reader makes self-maintenance a lot easier. When something goes wrong, there are many options for what it could be.

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 ...