We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The check engine light is one of those dashboard warning lights drivers dread to see suddenly come on in the middle of driving. First-time car ...

Ignoring a check engine light might feel harmless if the car still runs smoothly, but the warning signals more than a minor inconvenience. Driving with that light on can lead to higher repair costs, ...

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 — ...

In order for our cars to carry us to and from our various destinations reliably, all the parts must work together smoothly. The fuel and air intake systems provide the ingredients necessary to power ...

When the check engine light comes on in a vehicle, it’s indicating that there is some issue with the car that should be checked out. It could be something minor, such as the gas cap not being screwed ...

Today’s cars and trucks are literally rolling test beds of technology, which has tended to make the days of the so-called shade tree mechanic and eyeball diagnoses of what ails a given model a distant ...

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 costs of buying a new or used car have climbed in recent years, and so has the average repair bill. If a vehicle purchase or major repair isn’t in the cards (or budget), maintaining the health of ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jim Gorzelany is a veteran automotive journalist. You’ll usually know when it’s time to take your car, truck or sport-utility ...