A code reader for your car can mean the difference between dropping everything and heading for the mechanic and letting that warning light ride a little bit.

If your vehicle is throwing a check engine light, but you don't have a diagnostic scanner handy, here are three tricks to try before seeing a mechanic.

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 ...

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 ...