I'm not into cars to such an extent that I have an OBD-II analyzer in my toolkit. But when I discovered Chinese sources for $9-$20 USB & Bluetooth adapters, I couldn't say no. I thought it might have ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The on-board diagnostics (OBD) port isn’t just for your mechanic ...

A few weeks ago, I decided to buy a couple of cheap OBD-II adapters to start out some ethical hacking experiments. However, when looking for a reliable adapter on the market, you can get a lot of ...

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 ...

After owning a three-car succession of modestly appointed subcompacts, I’ve finally upgraded to some neat technological features in my beloved 2011 BMW 128i. Even though I’ve driven many new cars over ...

That little yellow check-engine light is sneaky. Most of the time, you forget it could be there. But when it detects an issue, it illuminates menacingly. For many, the initial reaction might be to ...

Vehicles manufactured since 1996 have had to comply with the CARB issued OBD-II specification. These vehicles use a standardized diagnostic connector and data output format. On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) ...