Cars

Jumping a starter means bypassing the starter circuit to make the motor crank. Here is what that involves, the real risks, and safer ways to find a no-crank problem.

Three ways to charge a car battery, the step-by-step process with a battery charger, how long it takes, and the safety rules that matter.

The three ways to jump-start a car, how to choose between them, the quick steps for each, and the warning signs that mean you should not jump at all.

How to use a battery charger’s engine start mode to start a car with a dead battery, plus what to do if your charger does not have one.

Step-by-step jumper cable instructions with the correct clamp order, safety tips, what gauge and length to buy, and fixes when the car still will not start.

What your check engine light is telling you, from steady to flashing, what to check right away, when to pull over, and how to read the code behind it.

Four quick questions to narrow down the right OBD2 scanner for you, with budget tiers, a decision table and our picks for each type of driver.

Step-by-step setup for a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner on iPhone and Android, how to read codes and live data in the app, and fixes for the most common connection problems.

Car scanner can mean anything from a $20 code reader to a dealer-level scan tool. Here is how each type works, what it can access, and which one fits you.