Diagnostics
Dashboard Lights: What Do They Mean and Why Should I Care?
Oh, those annoying dash lights. One minute, your car is running fine, the tunes are good, and life is smiling at you and then some symbol pops up on the dash and you don’t know what it means. Is this something serious? Do you need to take the car in right away? Can this be…
Read MoreHow Winterizing Your Car Now Could Save You from Scary, Pricey Mistakes
It’s October and while most people think of cooler days, pumpkins, and scary ghosts and goblins on Halloween, there is one thing that is truly scary and that is NOT winterizing your vehicle. Let’s face it, Chicagoans are accustomed to winter weather. We take it on like a champ, but your car isn’t quite as…
Read More9 Simple Maintenance Tips That Can Change Everything
Can you believe that summer, and those blistering temperatures, are almost here? While the year is almost halfway gone, after the last year of quarantine and craziness, most people can only think of one thing: summer vacation. If you are planning on driving to your vacation, summertime maintenance on your vehicle is more important now…
Read MoreStrange Car Noises You Should Never Ignore
Have you ever been driving and you are lost in your thoughts about how work would be, what you needed to do after work, and where you would get the money for this, that, and the other thing when suddenly, a noise interrupts your thoughts. What is that strange noise your car is making? What…
Read MoreYou can crack the dashboard lights code
Q. I am worried my college-age students might not recognize the warning lights on the dashboard or not pay attention to them at all. Can you provide me with a quick guide to dashboard lights? A. As your kids head off to college, it is important to “school” them on what all the dashboard…
Read MoreWhat it takes to diagnose that “Check Engine” light
Lights we like: strong high beams, assertive signals and gently illuminated speedometers and fuel gauges. The not-so-welcome list: amber, yellow or red lights announcing “Check Engine,” “Service Engine Soon,” “Check” or “SES”—often with a neon-like automobile-engine outline. Don’t sweat it. The infamous and somewhat vague Check Engine light actually is relatively benign vs. other warning…
Read MoreVehicle making ghoulish noises? Use our checklist to get to bottom of those haunting sounds
Are you one of those adults who loves Halloween? If so, you’re in good company. A recent study shows that 68% of adults celebrate Halloween, and if you’re one of them, you’re probably already pulling together the props and materials for this year’s perfect costume. But as you’re driving from Wilmette to Chicago in search…
Read MoreCheck engine light on? It could be a fuel system pressure issue
Your car’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons. The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like a loose gas cap to a major repair like a catalytic converter. And here’s another example of…
Read MoreService Engine light on? We'll help you pass the emissions test!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxQIHoTmxs&w=560&h=315] Question: I need to take my car in for an emissions test, but the Service Engine light has been on for some time. I’ve been told my car won’t pass. Is that true? What happens if my car fails the test? Answer: Yes, you are correct: Your car cannot pass the emissions test when the…
Read MoreBad vehicle speed sensor affects your vehicle's anti-lock brakes
Your car’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons, and in the coming months, we’re going to share with you what some of those reasons are. The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like…
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