Custom Automotive Care

Some people may be confused by charges for diagnostic services for a vehicle repair, even though many other services in life include diagnostic fees – things like computer service and appliance repair. Even when we go into the doctor for a medical problem, we’re paying her to diagnose our ailment and of course for the tests that go along with it. So receiving a diagnostic charge for a tricky automotive problem shouldn’t be a surprise. Automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in your brakes, a quick visual check is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you’re having an intermittent problem with your engine, diagnosis may be much more involved. Some think that when the check engine light comes on, the engine computer tells the technician exactly what the problem is. The reality is much different. The trouble code just tells your technician what engine parameter is out of range, not what’s causing it. Your tech ... read more

Many Lincoln drivers have had their check engine light come on. It’s an amber colored light that shows on your dashboard. What is the purpose for the check engine light? Most of your vehicle engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer or ECM. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in Lincoln. In order to make these adjustments, the vehicle computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light. If your vehicle check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Drive the vehicle as little as possible and get that taken care of right away. If your check engi ... read more