Automotive Repairs
Chantilly Auto Repair
Painless and Convenient Automotive Repair at Casey’s Automotive
Even if we keep up with our vehicle’s maintenance, sometimes things break. That is why we’re here. Casey’s repairs all vehicle makes and models. We have a great team of honest technicians, including senior technicians that can diagnose just about any problem. We’ll get you in and out the door as quickly as possible. Should your diagnosis or repair take longer than a few hours, we have free shuttles and courtesy loaners available.
Casey’s Automotive repair offers the following services:
– Check Engine Light
– Steering and Suspensions
– Engine Mechanical Repairs
– Brake Repairs
– Performance Upgrades
– Exhaust System and Muffler
– Belts and Hoses
– Air Conditioning
– Cooling System
My check engine light has come on – do I panic?
The answer is NO!
First, what does the light look like? It may be just a picture of an engine, it could be the phrase CHECK ENGINE, or it could read SERVICE ENGINE SOON. There are many ways it can be displayed on your vehicle’s dash depending on the manufacturer of the car you are driving. You should refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see what your specific manufacturer uses to alert the driver when a check engine light is on.
If your check engine light is on, but not flashing, you are ok to keep driving it until you can get to your automotive repair shop. If the check engine light is flashing, blinking on and off, you should turn your car off when it is safe to do so and have your car towed to a reputable shop to have it looked at.
What is Diagnosing vs Pulling a Trouble Code?
Think of your car as your home. You come home one day and there is a puddle on the floor in the kitchen. The code for your car is like this puddle. It says uh oh, problem, puddle, kitchen. It does not indicate how the puddle got there. A plumber could walk in, stare at the puddle and say “welp we are in the kitchen it must be the sink….” However that may be misleading, maybe it’s a leak from the upstairs bathtub.
Diagnosing a check engine light is exactly that. It’s checking the sink drain pipes, the hot and cold lines, the fridge water lines, the ceiling for water damage, and maybe it’s cutting a hole in the wall to inspect pipes. Yes, there are common problems related to some of these check engine light codes, but failing to check the circuit, the sensors, and the mechanical parts related to these codes is gambling at the repair. The best course of action is to find a shop you trust to give you honest feedback on the code. This may run with a diagnostic charge, but knowing exactly what has caused the problem is often less expensive than guessing and throwing parts at a repair that has not been confirmed in diagnostics.
