If you think about the friends you have in your life, one of the things that makes that friendship work is listening to each ...

Turn your smartphone into a professional car diagnostic tool with a $15-30 OBD2 adapter and free apps that read engine codes ...

You hear a new, disturbing noise coming from your engine, open the hood, look around, and find nothing. Now what? Before you reach for a conveniently-placed torque wrench to try the ol’ “love tap,” ...

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 ...

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 ...

If you own a car built after 1996, it comes equipped with a second-generation onboard diagnostic (OBD or OBDII) system. These systems work together with the vehicle's primary computer or powertrain ...

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 ...

A new tool from Snap-on puts truck diagnostics in the hands of truck owners and technicians with a rugged handheld device. Snap-on’s new Pro-Link+ combines hardware and software for a complete ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. It's probably happened to everyone at least once. You're driving along enjoying your favorite tunes when suddenly, your car's "check engine" ...

The range of vehicle diagnostic tools available for mobile phones is expanding. We covered some upcoming models at last year's Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association convention. Now PLX, one of ...