How Often Should I Get a Diagnostic Testing for My Vehicle?

Your vehicle is likely one of your biggest investments, so you should do everything you can to protect it and increase its longevity. One of the best ways to do this is to perform preventative maintenance tasks as recommended by the manufacturer. One of these tasks is an annual inspection done by a certified mechanic.

Diagnostic Testing

During an annual inspection, you should have diagnostic testing run on your vehicle to check for any issues in its internal systems. During a vehicle diagnostic test, your mechanic will connect a computer to your vehicle’s internal systems through an access port, which is typically placed under the steering wheel near the driver’s door. The diagnostic computer will send a series of test signals and commands to your vehicle and will monitor its responses. A diagnostic exam will not harm your vehicle and is very safe.

Some problems can only be identified through diagnostic testing. If any issues are shown by the testing, you should have them repaired as soon as possible.

Diagnostic testing is also recommended if your vehicle’s check engine light comes on, or if your vehicle is generally malfunctioning and the cause is not clear. In both of these situations, you should take your vehicle to a certified mechanic as quickly as possible for diagnosis and repair.

Another time when diagnostic testing is advised is when purchasing a used car. Many car dealerships will allow you to take an extended test drive, and this is a perfect time to take the vehicle to your trusted mechanic to run a quick diagnostic scan. You may find issues that you would have never known otherwise!

If it’s time for your annual inspection or your car just feels a little “off”, call Ralph’s Transmissions at (941) 921-3559 to schedule your repair visit today. We have full diagnostic capabilities to identify the problem quickly and our skilled technicians will get your vehicle back up to full functionality in no time.