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 ...

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?

In the January issue, we discussed the history of OBD. This time we are going to investigate some of the technology required to meet OBD II standards. To give an idea of the magnitude of technological ...

OK, so imagine, you're four-wheelin' with a bunch of friends in Baja, or maybe you're halfway into some backroad in Canada. After a beautiful camp, 50 miles from the nearest light bulb, you pack up ...

That little yellow check-engine light is sneaky. Most of the time, you forget it could be there. But when it detects an issue, it illuminates menacingly. For many, the initial reaction might be to ...

Vital Engineering has made available its Bluetooth OBD-II connector software for use with Microsoft Windows Mobile Smartphones. The software was previously available for Windows Mobile Pocket PC and ...

Vehicles manufactured since 1996 have had to comply with the CARB issued OBD-II specification. These vehicles use a standardized diagnostic connector and data output format. On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) ...

I'm looking at buying a TPMS reset tool, but I don't mind paying more to get a decent OBDII/etc tool for doing various resets or WTF on the car.

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 ...

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?