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 ...

Modern technology has made diagnosing vehicular issues much easier than ever before. Using an OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) scanner is a relatively simple process that can provide crucial information ...

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 ...

Plug in all the things.

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,” ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The OBD acronym stands for on-board diagnostics, a system built into modern vehicles that monitors the performance of the engine and other ...

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 ...

This article was updated in August 2026 with new products and information. A dreaded check-engine light can foretell a whole host of vehicular issues, ranging from cheap fixes to massive overhauls.

We've compiled a list of some of the best OBD2 diagnostic scanners describing their features, specifications, compatibility, and benefits. The automotive industry has a huge variety of OBD2 scanners ...