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Diagnostics….

I should pay for that?
Have you ever stopped to think about what goes into diagnosing your vehicle’s problems? The amount of time your automotive technician spends in school or the amount of money required to purchase the equipment needed to interface with today’s high tech computer systems?

Did you know that the average vehicle has dozens of on-board computers? The engine management computer controls the engine’s fuel system, spark timing curve, emissions, and proper drivability, and that’s just 1 computer. There are transmission control computers, brake control computers, traction control computers, interior climate control computers, and even seat memory computers. Any or all of them will be found in your vehicle.

When was the last time your plumber came to your house to find a leaking pipe, spent an hour or more finding the leak and charged only for the repairs and not the time it took to find the leak? How about your doctor checking you for a pain and not charging you? They will both charge you a fee to locate the problem. In the case of the plumber, he may call it a “service call” while the doctor may call it an “office visit”. In the automotive field it’s a “diagnostic charge.” They are all highly trained professionals! So, what’s the difference?

The average doctor and the ASE certified technician spend about the same amount of time in schooling over the course of their career. The big difference is that the doctor goes to school before his career begins and may take refresher courses throughout the remainder of this practice. The automotive technician generally goes to school before and during his entire career to keep up on today’s vehicles as well as the changing technology.

Doctors only work on 2 models and they haven’t changed much in the last 20 years! We work on over 160 models that change every year. Doctors are practicing medicine. We have to get it right the first time AND the great news is our tests (diagnostics) cost less than doctors’ tests. Out of respect to the highly skilled doctors, it’s not our intent to diminish their importance. It’s meant as an illustration to our point – after all they’re working on their models while they’re still running!

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