Terms of use
Quick answer
Everything on this site is researched general information about a standardised diagnostic system. It is not professional advice and it is not a substitute for a qualified mechanic inspecting the vehicle in front of them.
The information here is general
CheckEngineCalc publishes researched general information about the standardised on-board diagnostic system fitted to modern vehicles. Code definitions are a public standard. Everything built on top of them, including the ordering of causes and the severity guidance, is editorial judgement applied to the general case.
It is not professional advice, it is not a repair manual for any specific vehicle, and it is not a substitute for a qualified mechanic inspecting the car in front of them. A code names a condition, and the fault behind it is specific to one vehicle in a way no website can see.
Safety
Working on a vehicle carries real risk: fuel systems hold pressure after shutdown, exhaust components stay dangerously hot long after the engine stops, cooling systems are pressurised, and a tool that commands a component can start a fan or a pump while somebody has their hands in the engine bay. Follow the safety procedures in the manufacturer service information for the specific vehicle.
Where this site says a fault means stop driving, treat that as the minimum position rather than the maximum. If a vehicle feels wrong and no code explains it, the absence of a code is not reassurance.
Accuracy and corrections
Considerable care goes into accuracy, and errors will still occur. No warranty of accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose is given, and no liability is accepted for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information here. Corrections are welcome through the contact page and are acted on.
Prices and availability
Prices shown come from verified listings at the time the site was last built and change constantly. They are recent observations, never quotes, and every product card says so. Availability, specifications and vehicle coverage are matters for the retailer and the manufacturer.
External links
Links to retailers and other sites are provided for convenience. Those destinations have their own terms and privacy policies, and their content is outside the control of this site.
Intellectual property
The written content, tools and structure of this site are its own work. Product names, brands and trademarks belong to their respective owners, and their use here is for identification only.
Common questions
Can I rely on a code page to decide whether to drive?
Use it as input, not as a verdict. The severity and drive-safety guidance is based on what a code generally means, and it cannot account for the condition of a specific vehicle, other faults present at the same time or anything happening mechanically that has not set a code. When in doubt, do not drive it.
Can I reuse this content?
The standardised code definitions are a public standard and belong to nobody. The written explanations, the cause orderings, the tools and the page structure are the work of this site and are not licensed for reuse. Quoting a sentence or two with a link back is fine and welcome.