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 ...

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 ...

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?

The OBD acronym stands for on-board diagnostics, a system built into modern vehicles that monitors the performance of the engine and other critical components. An OBD system records diagnostic trouble ...

The check engine light is both a friend and foe. For those who take their cars to the shop for repairs, it’s a symbol of impending treachery and rising credit card bills. But to those who shoulder the ...

What is OBD-II: A standardized system in all cars since 1996 that monitors engine, transmission, and emissions, storing trouble codes when something’s off. Why it matters: Reading codes with a scanner ...

Vehicle Tech I finally tried a dash cam disguised as a rearview mirror, and it makes practical sense — here’s why Vehicle Tech I drove the BMW 550e for a week — and this sedan is the reason why all ...

The Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Modern cars are great, except when they go wrong. The number of ...

An OBD-II scanner can turn any car owner into a confident DIY diagnostician by revealing what’s behind that dreaded check engine light. From reading trouble codes to interpreting live data, ...

Seeing that dreaded check-engine light illuminate on your vehicle's instrument cluster can be quite spooky. Thoughts of a devastating engine failure come to mind, paired with an equally devastating ...