Diagnosing Your Vehicle at Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston in Sikeston
October 15, 2023
When we Sikeston residents get a car repair bill, we really shouldn't be surprised to find “diagnostic fees” as one of the line items. When we get a computer fixed, there is usually a charge for the time it takes to diagnose the problem. When we go to a medical doctor, most of his fee is for his ability to diagnose what's wrong. It's no different with our vehicles.
Some diagnoses are fairly simple. Brake repairs at Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston usually require only a visual inspection, for instance. But other problems are much more difficult to diagnose. An intermittent engine problem, for example, takes time and expertise to pinpoint.
Modern vehicles have multiple computers that monitor a variety of sensors throughout the vehicle. When one of those sensors has a reading that is higher or lower than the standard parameters, the computer turns on the Check Engine light. Technicians at a service center such as Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston in Sikeston can scan the engine's computer for a trouble code. This code tells the technician which reading is too high or too low.
That's where some Sikeston residents get confused. They think that this reading concludes the diagnosis, and they don't understand why the diagnostic fee is as much as it is when all the technician did was to scan the computer. But the truth is the trouble code is only the beginning of the diagnostic procedure.
Remember, the trouble code only tells which reading is out of parameter. It doesn't say what is causing the reading to be too high or too low. Your Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston service technician still has to find the underlying problem. It's a lot like going to the doctor. He can take your temperature and discover that you have a fever, but that doesn't tell him what is causing your fever.
Automotive diagnostic technology can cut down the time it takes to figure out what's wrong with a vehicle that isn't running right. But it doesn't do away with the need for your friendly and knowledgeable Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston service technician to make a proper diagnosis. Car care, like medical care, still requires the human touch.
Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston
2017 E. Malone
Sikeston, Missouri 63801
573-472-1139
http://www.charliesfastlubesikeston.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston
Some New Boots (Suspension Maintenance)
November 17, 2024
There are some boots that don't come in a shoe box and aren't worn on your feet. They are called axle or CV boots, and they can be important parts for many vehicles. That CV stands for constant velocity. CV axles are mainly used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. They're also us... More
Them's the Brakes (Brake Rotor Resurfacing)
November 10, 2024
Your vehicle's brakes wear out. It's inevitable. You'll notice it when you step on the brake pedal and feel it harder to stop, or there's vibration when you are braking. Most modern vehicles have disc brakes that each use a brake pad that press on a disc (disc brakes!) called a rotor. The fric... More
The Truth about Tire Pressure (Tire Inflation)
November 3, 2024
Most light vehicles (under 10,000 pounds/4,500 kg) in North America sold from 2008 model year on have a feature that many people are confused about. It's the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). You may have some experience with it yourself if you own a newer vehicle. Vehicles with TPMS hav... More