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 ...

An OBD-II code reader plugged into a car's OBD-II port - BLKstudio/Shutterstock From the late '80s onward, cars were becoming more and more technically advanced, and an old-school toolkit could only ...

Not so long ago, before software and electronics became so integrated, investigating car trouble and tuning performance was a mostly mechanical affair. Early electronic scanners and systems were brand ...

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 ...

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?

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 ...

Your check engine light can come on a host of reasons, ranging from a loose gas cap to a faulty engine component. If you see a light illuminated on your dashboard, you can use an OBD2 scanner to ...

Diagnosing automotive problems used to be much more challenging. A mechanic had to use all of their skills to pinpoint mechanical or electrical issues. Nowadays, you can diagnose many problems ...

For all its '81 vehicles, GM introduced a computer-controlled engine-management system named Computer Command Control. It became known as CCC or C-3. The engine controller—first called an engine ...

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 ...

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?