What is a Bumper-to-Bumper Inspection?

With the winter approaching, you may be thinking about having a bumper-to-bumper inspection done for your car. You search the directories for reliable, skilled, and knowledgeable ASE master technicians to perform the service for you, but you may be curious about all of the steps that are included in this comprehensive inspection. You should be aware of all of the systems that will be checked on your car so that you will able to understand and relate to the results you receive from your inspection. You will also be able to make better decisions about any car repair you may need. 

Why is it Called a Bumper-to Bumper Inspection?

An auto inspection is very important for the life of your car. Whether you are thinking about purchasing a particular car or you have owned your car for years, you should make it a point to have a complete inspection done to monitor the health of your car. A comprehensive inspection would include services such as oil changes, fluid checks, brake check, steering and suspension checks, and a tire inspection. It would include checks to the engine, steering, and transmission as well. Virtually every system that is responsible for the operation of your car between and including the headlights and tail lights are checked to make sure they are in proper working order. 

Why is it Important?

A complete inspection is important to the health of your car and your finances. When you have your car checked, you will be alerted to any potential problems that may arise in the near future. If you have the problem remedied in time, you could save a lot of money on expensive car repairs down the line. For instance, if your car has been overheating, it could mean that you have low oil pressure, which is very damaging to your car. An inspection prior would have revealed the low oil pressure problem, and the large repair bill would have been avoided. An inspection will also reveal if you have the proper tire pressure and fluid levels. Transmissions, the costly-to-repair component of the car, would greatly benefit from an inspection. Regular inspections would help you monitor the health of the transmission, battery, alternator, steering and suspension systems. You will be able to determine when it is time to replace the part and make any minor repairs. Regular car maintenance and some alterations to your driving habits, such as driving at reduced speeds, can increase the fuel efficiency.

Anything Else to Know?

It does not matter the age of the car; all cars need to undergo a bumper-to-bumper inspection to make sure they are in optimal operational condition. If your car is healthy, it will last longer and you will save money on fuel costs. Your mechanic can connect your car to a computer and run a diagnostic check. The computer will let the mechanic assess the computer system and all of the systems that it monitors. Warning codes will alert the mechanic to any problems that need attention and relay those to you. You will see the benefits of your inspections when you are able to operate your car during the cold winter months with no issues and save money at the same time.