Editorial Policy

People usually land on a code page when something has just gone wrong. Our job is to give accurate, calm and usable information. These rules apply to every page on the site.

Original writing only

All explanations, steps and answers are written in-house. We never copy text from service manuals, owner's manuals, forums or other websites. Facts – a code, its meaning, a reset procedure – are taken from sources; the wording is ours.

Sources and verification

• Generic OBD-II code identifiers and definitions come from SAE J2012 and ISO 15031-6.
• Manufacturer-specific codes and appliance codes come from manufacturers' public documentation and are cross-checked against other sources where possible.
• Codes confirmed by only one source are marked unverified.
• We do not invent statistics, complaint counts, recall numbers, part numbers or shop prices. Likelihood percentages for causes are clearly labeled as editorial estimates.

The full list is on our data sources page.

Written for each market

The English, German and Dutch versions are written natively for readers in the US, Germany and the Netherlands, not machine-translated from one another. Units, currencies, inspection rules and everyday terms match the market. A manufacturer-specific code only appears in a language where that brand is sold.

Every page must add something

Similar codes – for example the same fault on bank 1 and bank 2, or the same number on two appliance brands – must differ in substance: causes, steps, notes and questions, not just a few swapped words. An automatic quality gate keeps pages with too little specific information, or too much overlap with similar pages, out of search indexes until they are improved. Brand variants get their own page only when real, distinct data exists.

Safety comes first

Some work is never presented as a DIY job, however simple it may look:

• gas appliances – no DIY repair instructions at all, only safe user checks the owner's manual allows, such as reading the pressure gauge or a single reset;
• mains electricity and microwave internals;
• refrigerant circuits;
• airbags and brakes;
• hybrid and EV high-voltage systems.

Pages covering these systems carry clear safety notes and point to a qualified professional.

Independence

The site is financed by advertising on content pages. Ads are visibly separated from editorial content, and advertisers have no say in what we write. We do not use affiliate links to specific shops, and we do not sell placements or rankings. When we mention a repair option, it is because it fits the fault, not because someone paid for it.

Corrections and updates

Codes, procedures and costs change. We review pages when new information comes in and correct mistakes as soon as they are confirmed. If you find an error, please tell us via the contact page and include the page address and, if possible, your source. See also our methodology.