# ratchit

> ratchit is a trust-first auto maintenance and diagnostics assistant. We help drivers understand check-engine codes, symptoms, and maintenance needs in plain English — and prioritize physical inspection before parts replacement. Safety guidance is never gated behind monetization.

## What ratchit does
- Decodes OBD-II diagnostic trouble codes (P-codes) with cause, severity, and inspect-first guidance
- Explains common vehicle symptoms and likely root causes
- Generates year/make/model maintenance schedules and road-trip checklists
- Recommends inspection steps, then parts/tools (with "Verify fitment" disclaimer on Amazon links)
- Offers a free scan that produces a safer next-step plan

## What ratchit does not do
- Does not replace a licensed mechanic's hands-on diagnosis
- Does not push parts before inspection
- Does not provide live search-volume data (state trend pages use directional estimates from curated public data)
- Does not gate baseline safety information behind a paywall

## Core resources
- [Home](https://www.ratchitauto.com/)
- [Free Scan](https://www.ratchitauto.com/scan)
- [OBD Code Library](https://www.ratchitauto.com/codes)
- [Symptom Library](https://www.ratchitauto.com/symptoms)
- [Maintenance Schedules](https://www.ratchitauto.com/maintenance-schedule)
- [Road Trip Checklist](https://www.ratchitauto.com/road-trip-checklist)
- [Marketplace](https://www.ratchitauto.com/marketplace)
- [Blog / Insights](https://www.ratchitauto.com/blog)
- [Maintenance Tool Demand by State](https://www.ratchitauto.com/insights/state-search)
- [About](https://www.ratchitauto.com/about)
- [Sitemap](https://www.ratchitauto.com/sitemap.xml)

## Repair path guides
- [Misfire diagnostics](https://www.ratchitauto.com/repair-paths/misfire-diagnostics)
- [O2 sensor diagnostics](https://www.ratchitauto.com/repair-paths/o2-sensor-diagnostics)
- [EVAP leak diagnostics](https://www.ratchitauto.com/repair-paths/evap-leak-diagnostics)
- [Cooling system diagnostics](https://www.ratchitauto.com/repair-paths/cooling-system-diagnostics)

## Editorial principles
- Inspect before replace
- Plain-English explanations, not jargon
- Conservative evidence labels (Verified, Partial, Projected)
- Affiliate links are disclosed and always include a fitment-verification reminder
- Safety-critical contexts suppress monetization