

My Journey Toward Car Literacy

I Married A Car Guy: My Journey Toward Car Literacy



Hook that scanner up!

Hook that scanner up

No, it can’t do that.

We hear several times a day, “Can you hook up the computer to see what is wrong with my car?”

While technology is amazing and the scanners and computers we use are an important part of the diagnostic process, they don’t tell us exactly what the problem is. The most important part of the diagnostic process is the technician and his experience, education and skills. A scanner can give the technician the starting piece of the puzzle and he has to fit it all together. The code may indicate what general area of the vehicle is malfunctioning, but it’s up to the technician to figure out what part is failing to do its job. Most technicians avoid being ‘parts changers’ and want to get to the root cause of the problem. In the past, diagnoses were simpler because cars were simpler. They didn’t have numerous computers helping to run the system. If your vehicle was hesitating, a tune-up was recommended. Today, that hesitation can come from a myriad of different parts or problems.

At this point in time, scanners don’t simply tell the technician what part to replace. In the future, that may be true. For now, your best bet is an experienced technician who keeps his skill set updated, is aware of any inherent issues with your type of vehicle, and is dedicated to making sure your vehicle is maintained and safe for driving.
