Whether it’s traveling to work, getting your kids to school or heading to an important appointment, your car is a necessity — not a luxury. So it’s scary to see your check engine light come on or hear ...

It was lightly snowing, the kind of snow that doesn't stick but turns everything into a horrible slush. It was December of 2017. I was picking up my coworker, Raph, double parked outside his old ...

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 ...

The dashboard of your car provides plenty of useful information while you're driving, from the speed you're traveling at to the amount of gas left in your tank. The check engine light is another ...

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 ...

Of the myriad warning lights on your car or truck’s dashboard, it seems the most ubiquitous is the “check engine” alert. When you see the "check engine" message or a symbol that looks like a car ...

For most drivers, an oil change is a quick, hassle-free service that typically puts you out no longer than an hour and costs you (give or take) a hundred bucks. But even if you're perfectly on top of ...

Maybe it’s a check engine light, or perhaps it’s that ominous tire pressure warning. The truth is, many of us tend to shrug ...

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. You’ll usually know when it’s time to take your car, truck or sport-utility ...

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 ...