My 2013 Subaru Outback recently freaked me out. Just out of the driveway, I noticed the “check engine” light was on, and the brake and cruise control lights were flashing. I eventually Googled these ...

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 ...

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 — ...

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 ...

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, ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jim Gorzelany is a veteran automotive journalist. With both new-car prices and fuel costs on the rise, today’s motorists are ...

If there's anything that can kill a driver's good mood, it's being out for a cruise, music blasting, and suddenly one of the lights on the dashboard illuminates. That said, a warning to check the fuel ...

The check engine light can be a bane or boon when it comes to owning a car, especially considering hundreds of things could trigger it. Does that mean the second the check engine light comes on you ...

If you are like many vehicle owners, when the “Check Engine” light comes on your heart skips a beat. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap or it could signal that the vehicle’s engine or ...

It may cost you more in the long run. You’re driving along and suddenly your check engine light goes on. But nothing seems to have changed with the way your car is running. It’s OK to let it go for a ...