The universal OBD‑II system was mandated by the EPA for the 1996 model year, changing car repair forever. Is OBD‑III coming, and if so, when?

Part of the frustration of a check engine light is that it’s just so vague. It can signal anything from a looming powertrain ...

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 ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 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 ...

Discover how the YOUCANIC UCAN-II-C scanner uses AI-powered diagnostics to interpret trouble codes, suggest likely causes, and guide users through repairs with dealership-level precision. Learn more ...

As 2026 rolls in, car owners are increasingly done with subscription-based OBD2 scanners that lock features behind monthly fees or app upgrades. If you’ve ever felt annoyed by a “scan now, pay later” ...

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 ...

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 ...