What is OBD-II: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) is a standardized system in all US cars since 1996 that monitors vehicle health and stores Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) when faults occur. Common ...

From the late '80s onward, cars were becoming more and more technically advanced, and an old-school toolkit could only do so much. So, following some development (and the limited OBD-I design), the ...

What is OBD-II: A standardized system in all cars since 1996 that monitors engine, transmission, and emissions, storing trouble codes when something’s off. Why it matters: Reading codes with a scanner ...

Repair Reports generated by the Lemur BlueDriver not only interpret error codes, but suggest causes and fixes. The Smog Check feature can let you know if your car is ...

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 ...

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 ...

Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. We’ve all experienced the dreaded “check engine” light on the dashboard of our ...

If you've ever gone to a mechanic for a check engine light problem on your car, then chances are you've heard the technician say something about an OBD scanner. It's a handheld phone-like device that ...

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 ...

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 ...