It would be great if there were a way to find issues with your car, right? Good news, there is, and it’s called diagnostic testing. Here’s what Skiles Automotive Services wants you to know.
It Sounds More Complicated than it Is
Diagnostic testing sounds really complex, but it isn’t. There’s a reader that auto technicians plug into your car’s onboard computer or engine control module, and the reader translates the codes stored in the car’s ECM. Once the auto technician can see which codes your car’s ECM has logged, they can do further troubleshooting to address any issues. Sometimes there are problems that the car’s ECM logs but doesn’t warn you about. At other times, you might see a warning light but not know what it’s referencing. Diagnostic testing can clear up that mystery.
Diagnostic Testing Is Only One Step in the Process
It’s tempting to believe that the ECM spits out a code and the auto technician just automatically knows what’s wrong. But what really happens is often more like getting the mechanic started in the right direction. Sometimes the codes are just the first step and further troubleshooting is where the magic really happens. This is because cars and their engines are a lot more complex than they seem on the surface. A great many systems all work together to keep your car’s engine functioning.
You’re Also Able to Prevent Problems with Diagnostic Testing
But diagnostic testing isn’t just for when you know that there’s an issue. You can also have periodic diagnostic testing done in order to spot potential problems that haven’t shown any symptoms at all yet. It’s a good idea to have diagnostic testing done if you’ve skipped a few routine services, for instance, and just want to make sure that everything is okay now that you’re back on track. Another great time for diagnostic testing is if something just feels different when you’re driving the car. There may not be any actual sign you can point to, but you can tell that something might not be completely right. Diagnostic testing can help.
Does diagnostic testing sound like something that might be helpful for your car? Give us a call at Skiles Automotive Services in Bremen, IN. We’ll perform thorough diagnostic testing and interpret the results so that you have the information that you need. From there, we’ll recommend a plan of action that meets your car’s needs and keeps you safely on the road.
