"At some point," said Maurice Tuff, "your check-engine light will come on. Every vehicle that I've owned, the check-engine light has come on." And for Tuff, that dreaded light has shined not only in ...

Although commonly referred to as the “check-engine light,” some cars may instead display the message “Service Engine Soon,” or show a yellow or orange outline of an engine, perhaps with the word ...

In the last Diagnostics episode, we outlined the vital information provided by compression and leakdown testing and illustrated how to use these most important tools. These tests reveal the internal ...

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 ...

When your vehicle's check engine light (CEL) comes on, it's often a sign that something needs attention. But with over 20,000 parts working together in your car — many important for normal operation — ...

Car owners dread few things quite as much as a vehicle's "Check Engine" light. However, the dreaded signal doesn't always foretell a worst-case scenario for motorists. They can even help prevent ...

Question: I just bought a used 2002 Toyota Corolla, and the “check engine” light is on, which I took to mean there was a trouble code stored in the computer. The scanner gave me code P0420, which I ...

In the Last diagnostics article, we outlined how to retrieve and decipher engine diagnostics for engines running OBD-I engine management computers. OBD or On Board Diagnostics is a subsystem of the ...

The check engine light means one of your car’s systems is malfunctioning. If it’s flashing, pull over as soon as you safely can. If it’s steady, follow these simple steps. Many, or all, of the ...

When that check engine light comes on, it can be the start of a long, hassle-filled ordeal. You can make it a little less expensive, though, by taking your car to an auto parts store and asking for ...

How to determine whether your car has a loose gas cap—or a serious engine problem This is what the check engine light looks like. By Consumer Reports You’re driving along in your car or truck and ...