Vehicle Diagnostics at SJM Autowerks
Modern cars are incredibly advanced, running as much on a network of computers and sensors as they are mechanical. When something goes wrong with your car, it'll often tell you with warning lights, sometimes even before you notice any other symptoms. However, those warning lights can be hard to interpret — this is where vehicle diagnostics come into play.
At SJM Autowerks, we offer state of the art diagnostic services that can quickly and accurately figure out what's going on with your car, as well as what steps need to be taken to get it back on the road safely. Our experienced technicians have the tools and expertise to get to the root of any problem your car may be having. Some of the brands we specialize in include:
- Volkswagen
- BMW
- Volvo
- Mercedes
- Audi
- Mini
- Jaguar
- Porsche
- Land Rover
How Do Vehicle Diagnostics Work?
Modern vehicles are equipped with an onboard diagnostic system that uses sensors to monitor critical components of your car, like the engine, transmission, exhaust, and electrical systems. When something goes wrong that the system detects, it stores a code in the computer memory and may trigger a warning light on your dash.
With that in mind, reading those codes is generally the first step in diagnosing the problem — but far from the only step! We also perform additional tests to verify what the codes have told us and narrow down what the underlying problem might be. This might include inspecting wiring, looking at individual components, or checking for vacuum leaks.
Once we've diagnosed the problem, we'll give you a detailed report of the issue and the repairs we recommend in order to address it. We'll also be able to give you an estimate of the cost of repairs and the time we'll need to get your car back on the road.
When to Get Vehicle Diagnostics
While it never hurts to check to make sure nothing is wrong with your car, and some people choose to have diagnostics done annually even if everything seems to be okay, that can often be mostly addressed during a tune-up. Diagnostics should absolutely be done, however, when you notice something seems 'off' with your car. Sometimes this means a decline in performance or fuel efficiency, or maybe you've just noticed some vibrations or weird noises.
If you see your check engine light come on, or if your car hesitates, stalls, or misfires, it's definitely time for some diagnostics to find the problem.
The Importance of Diagnostics
Having your vehicle properly diagnosed when there is a problem is the first step in getting it back to running the way it should. After all, you can't fix what you don't know about! Finding the right problem the first time means you can enjoy better performance and efficiency from your car, because everything is working exactly as it should.
Another big bonus of vehicle diagnostics is saving you money! Diagnostics allows us to catch problems early, often before the issue is even causing symptoms. That means we can avoid more extensive damage — and avoid you breaking down and being stranded somewhere inconvenient or even dangerous.
Vehicle Diagnostics FAQs
How long does a diagnostic test take?
Most diagnostics can be done in a couple hours, but that can vary widely based on the complexity of the problem your car is having. We can give you an estimate when you bring your car in, but keep in mind we may need some flexibility in order to pinpoint the problem as accurately as possible.
Will a diagnostic test fix the problem?
No. The point of vehicle diagnostics is to find the problem, so that we can know exactly what needs to be done to fix it. Once we've completed the diagnostic, we'll be able to tell you our recommendations for solving the issue, as well as an estimated cost for the fix.
What problems do vehicle diagnostics find?
Diagnostics can find a huge variety of problems — from minor issues to more serious malfunctions. There are no specific problems diagnostics are tailored to find; rather, the idea is to be able to pinpoint the problem your car is having no matter what it is. This may be the result of a check engine light, or it could be something in the engine, transmission, fuel system, or any number of other critical systems in your car.
If you've noticed your car isn't performing the way it should, or if a warning light has popped up on your dash, don't ignore it — bring your car to SJM Autowerks before a small problem turns into a big one. Our skilled service technicians are ready to accurately diagnose your car's problems and suggest the repairs you need to get back on the road safely. Call or stop by to schedule your appointment today.