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. 

Trying to Comprehend The Check Engine Light

A ‘Check Engine Light’ is usually accompanied by a dreaded feeling. These messages, also called a MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp), are a signal to indicate that your vehicle needs maintenance or another part of your vehicle isn’t properly attached. The Check Engine Light usually warrants a trip to the car mechanic and could either mean a costly engine repair, like an issue with your cam shaft, or your gas engine cap becomes too loose for comfort. Unless you are well versed in the dynamics of your car engine, you must not endeavor to disassemble your engine. You could end up destroying a perfectly working part, or disengage a few connecting engine belts and wire. The only thing we ask you to do is take note of the warning signals that pop up in your dashboard and ensure that you make an appointment with us to have your vehicle looked at.

Deciphering The Exact Check Engine Light

Often, drivers mistake a normal routine maintenance code in their dash board, which indicates fuel refilling necessities, oil change requirements, or a typical engine check, to be a MIL code. These lights normally are grouped in the ‘service engine’ lights on your dashboard. You must make it a point to refer to your manufacturer’s guide book for more details on how to distinguish the lights that come up on your dash board. Check engine lights are typically featured in red, yellow, amber, or orange, depending on the severity of the issue with your vehicle. 

Do Not Ignore the Light

According to a recent survey, more than ten percent of all cars feature MIL lights in their dashboard and more than thirty percent of drivers ignore the Check Engine Light.  Usually the reason behind this, is in an attempt to ‘squeeze in as many miles as possible’ out of their car until it is completely broken down. This is very detrimental, considering the amount of gas your vehicle uses, the amount of toxins your vehicle emits into the atmosphere, and the overall safety of your car. When you see these signs in your dash board, do not panic and do not delay a general car maintenance appointment with us. Maybe you might have to pay a buck too many for your engine repair, but if you don’t, you might end up losing your life in the process.

When You See the Engine Light Flashing

One of the most common reasons for the MIL to flash in your car could be a loose gas cap. You must first check if that is the case. If your lights are still steady after the gas cap inspection, your engine is reportedly facing a bigger problem. There is a data sheet available to our mechanics about the various MIL codes and the problems they stand for.

What to Expect from a Vehicle Safety Inspection

Whether you are going to drop off your vehicle at our auto repair shop, or the state has told you that you are to have a vehicle safety inspection performed on your vehicle, chances are you want to know what you are in for. After all; it’s your car. You are the person who has to drive it to and from many places each week. So you will want to know what it is in store for and, ultimately, what you are in store for. So here are the things that you should expect from your vehicle safety inspection. 

What is the Vehicle Safety Inspection All About?

First off, understand that a vehicle safety inspection is much different from a general maintenance performance, or a routine isolated inspection. These types of inspections are just as common, but they are not required, nor are they as thorough. A vehicle safety inspection is a very thorough process that is designed to check how safe your vehicle is not just for you to drive, but for you to drive on public streets with other driver’s on the road. Thus the vehicle safety inspection is just as much about other drivers’ safety as it is about yours. These inspections are performed to ensure that your vehicle meets federal standards for safety of operation. 

What Can I Expect to Have Checked During a Vehicle Safety Inspection?

You can expect to have literally every aspect of your vehicle checked to determine if it meets the proper safety requirements that you expect it to have.  We’ll pay special attention to your brakes, steering and suspension systems, cooling systems, battery and electrical systems, wheel alignment, and fluid levels, including leaks.  If any of these systems are compromised, don’t hesitate on fixing them.  The winter season is brutal on cars and if any of these systems fail or aren’t working properly, it could be a major problem when you’re on the road.  On top of looking at these systems, your windshield wiper blades, headlights and brake lights, and tires will be looked at as well.  Every part of your vehicle we look over, is for your safety and should be taken very seriously if a repair is needed.

What Happens if I Fail My Vehicle Safety Inspection?

If the vehicle safety inspection is a product of your own want, meaning you scheduled it and you are paying for it with out state involvement, then nothing will happen. Your vehicle will obviously not pass the inspection, but you will receive no penalties for this. However if you are state ordered to have a vehicle safety inspection and you fail it, you can expect to be told you can no longer drive your specific vehicle on the road until the problems are attended to by one of our mechanics. In some cases, the repairs will not be very costly—they can be a simple brake pad change or some other trivial, daily mechanic woe. However, in other cases the repairs can be costly, and thus you should be prepared that you may have to spend quite a bit.