When to Take Your Car to the "Doctor"

BY HEATHER LUSSIER

Everyone can see that vehicles have become sophisticated pieces of equipment. There are as many systems in them as there are in the human body. The comparison is not that extreme nowadays. Vehicles are like bodies – everything communicates. There is a monitoring system that lets you know when something’s wrong. Every system pretty much has its own communication-type of computer for the parts in that system and they tell the central gateway, a.k.a. brain, when an issue occurs. That’s when you see the warning light and you take your sophisticated piece of equipment to the technician, a.k.a. doctor.

A check engine light is a warning light to let you know there is an issue with one of the operating systems in the vehicle. However, reading the code does not always provide a solution. Sometimes tests are needed beyond the initial scan because most systems have several parts that can fail and cause the code. Just like medical testing, the certainty is the most important thing. Find out exactly what is wrong and fix it. (What a perfect world that would be!) For more information about the future of vehicles, check out this article which has some great information about computer systems in cars.

https://www.recode.net/2017/5/23/15681058/digital-car-automotive-industry-software-designed-disruption

If there is an electrical issue, testing may have to be done directly at a module’s connections to the rest of the system and that takes time. Leaking coolant can come from several different parts. Hard-to-find oil leaks may need tear-down time as you cannot see every seal on an engine just from opening the hood or looking underneath.

Be aware that your vehicle needs nutrition (regular oil changes and good fuel), check-ups (maintenance beyond oil changes) and a good doctor (your favorite technician or shop).

Stay healthy!

Heather Lussier, Manager Ron’s European Auto Service of Brevard, Inc.