What to Expect With a Computer Diagnostic Service
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Did You Know: It takes up to three football fields to safely brake in the rain?
Signs You Need a Car Diagnostic Check
Your car often communicates issues before they become major breakdowns. If you notice strange behaviors, a car diagnostic check is the safest next step. Ignoring these early warning signs can lead to more expensive repairs later on.
Watch for these common indicators that your vehicle needs professional attention:
- Check Engine Light: The dashboard light stays on or flashes while you are driving.
- Reduced Power: The vehicle feels sluggish or struggles to accelerate on highway ramps.
- Rough Idling: The engine shakes, stutters, or stalls when stopped at traffic lights.
- Poor Economy: You notice a sudden drop in gas mileage without changing driving habits.
- Strange Smells: Unusual odors like rotten eggs or burning rubber coming from the exhaust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a car diagnostic test?
A car diagnostic test in Grand Rapids involves connecting a scanner to your vehicle's computer to read error codes. However, a true diagnostic includes a physical inspection by auto repair experts to verify exactly which part has failed based on those codes.
How long does a diagnostic take?
Most standard check-ups take about an hour. However, complex electrical issues or intermittent problems may require more time to trace. We will keep you updated throughout the car diagnostic process in Grand Rapids.
Will the check engine light go off automatically?
Sometimes, if the issue was temporary (like a loose gas cap), it might reset. However, if a component has failed, the light will stay on until the repair is made and the code is cleared using professional diagnostic equipment.
Can I drive with my check engine light on?
If the light is steady, it is usually safe to drive to our shop for a car diagnostic check. If the light is flashing, pull over immediately. A flashing light indicates a severe misfire that can damage the engine or catalytic converter quickly.
How much does a diagnostic cost?
We charge a fee for the testing time and equipment use because computer diagnostics require expert labor to interpret. This investment saves you money by preventing the "parts cannon" approach, where mechanics guess and replace good parts unnecessarily.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
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Q. "What does computer diagnostics test in my vehicle?"It tests the important components of your vehicle such as brakes, engine, transmission, etc. This allows for an accurate diagnosis of your vehicle and saves time and money for both you and the technician.
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Q. "How long does it take for computer diagnostics to be completed?"Computer diagnostics only take a few minutes to diagnose any problems within your vehicle. However, the time to repair these problems will range. Your local Christian Brothers can perform a diagnosis for you and will be able to give you a time estimate to repair your vehicle.
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Q. "How often do I need a computer diagnostic?"This varies. Whenever you take your car in for scheduled maintenance or if your vehicle is having issues, we will run a diagnostic to determine any issue with your vehicle
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Q. "Do you offer a shuttle service?"Yes! we understand you have a full schedule. Whether you need to get to work, school, or need to attend to other responsibilities, we can take you where you need to go. Click here to learn more.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"I became a customer a few months ago shortly after purchasing my Van. It is great to have found an auto service that i can trust. Parts that i thought needed to be replaced were still good. Thank you for the convenient shuttle service too"
- JK