Archive for December, 2010
Is Your Dashboard Blinking With Lights Unknown?
Is your Dashboard glowing with lights unknown
Every single day millions of Americans leave their homes, jump in their vehicles and drive to work, school, or play. All these vehicles have several things in common including their On-Board Diagnostics. This sounds like such a huge ominous part of our vehicle, a bit like the unknown outer space subject. But it doesn’t have to be that way; we can understand a few basic things about our dashboard lights to help us understand our vehicle. The On-Board Diagnostics or OBD is a generic term referring to a vehicle’s self-diagnostic and reporting capability. OBD systems give the vehicle owner or a service technician access to state of health information for various vehicle sub-systems. In the early 1980′s on-board vehicle computers made this system possible. Before the on-board computers that could identify locations of problems, a malfunction indicator light would illuminate, simply telling the owner that there was a problem. In modern day diagnostic systems they use fast digital communications port to provide data in addition to a standardized series of diagnostic trouble codes to rapidly identify and remedy malfunctions within the vehicle.
One of the main intents of placing On-Board Diagnostics in vehicles was not just to help repair them faster, but to actually control the emission systems. In cities where smog is a constant problem they have emissions testing for all vehicles, the OBD system was intended to identify if a vehicle would pass the emissions test or not. Finally after several years of testing and updating systems, the current OBD systems on most vehicles do help repair centers find trouble areas faster and do prove emissions to be above or below allowed amounts. Having OBD systems has changed our automobiles for a mechanically functioning machine to one that functions electronically. This has allowed great performance and efficiency advances.
Tags: board diagnostics, communications port, dashboard lights, diagnostic systems, emission systems, emissions test, malfunction indicator light, obd system, trouble areas, vehicle computersRelated posts
How to Get the Most Out of Your Next Auto Service?
No matter what kind of car or truck you own, you likely want for it to drive at its optimal performance level. In most cases even if you bought the car for price reasons, you will have looked for the one which will give you the kind of performance you are looking for. The best way to maintain this level of performance is to make sure that you are getting your vehicle serviced at regular intervals as well as making sure that you are getting the right kinds of auto service. The service you should get goes well beyond just engine maintenance. You should also pay attention to the rest of the components which will translate to better performance.
Ask about Computer Diagnostics
Tags: auto repair service, computer diagnostics, different seasons, engine components, engine maintenance, little hope, matter what kind, optimal performance, performance level, windshield wipersRelated posts