We earn commissions from purchases you make using links in our articles. Learn more. If your car or truck’s check engine light is on, there’s a stumble when accelerating, or if the transmission just ...

The top end of the technology ladder is held by a scan tool. This car diagnostic tool plugs into the OBD-II port (“OBD” is an acronym for on-board diagnostics, and the “II” designates the second ...

Q: I am shopping for a used car. What do you think about bringing along a computer scan tool to test the car before buying it? Do you think the dealer or private seller would mind? A: I think scanning ...

The second iteration of on-board diagnostics, OBD II, has been required tech on all new cars sold in the U.S. since 1996. That means that anyone who uses or works on cars less than three decades old ...