Cars

A practical breakdown of what a dash cam actually does on every drive, what extra features add, and the things it cannot do for you.

What car code readers and OBD2 scanners typically cost, what you get at each price level, and how to avoid paying for features you don’t need.

Three ways to find out why your check engine light is on, how to tell if it’s urgent, and what to do with the code once you have it.

A plain-English explanation of OBD2: what it monitors, how it triggers the check engine light, where the port is, and what you can do with it.

How to use a basic handheld car code reader, how to decode trouble codes letter by letter, and the common mistakes to avoid.

A beginner-friendly walkthrough of using an OBD2 scanner, from finding the port to reading codes, live data, freeze frame, and readiness monitors.

Whether you can mount a phone holder on your windshield, how state rules typically work, the practical downsides, and alternatives that avoid the question.

What California law says about mounting a phone on the windshield, where exactly it can go, how you can use it, and the base fines.