Back to all

The Tuffy Pelham Guide to Vehicle Diagnosis

May 5, 2024

Modern Pelham vehicles have several computers on board that control all kinds of things like engine functions, transmission shifts, traction control, anti-lock brakes, stability control, emissions – and on some vehicles, even steering, braking and the throttle.

Think about that for a minute – things that used to be controlled by simple mechanical connections now have electronic controls that rely on computers, software and sensors. It's no wonder that when something goes wrong with their vehicle it can be pretty complicated for Pelham drivers to track down the source of the problem.

To help your service advisor at Tuffy Pelham figure out what's wrong, your vehicle is equipped with on-board diagnostics. The Check Engine light comes on to tell you there's a problem and the engine management computer stores a trouble code. Your friendly and knowledgeable Tuffy Pelham technician connects a scan tool to your vehicle's diagnostic port and retrieves the trouble codes as well as other important data.

Trouble codes are like clues for the technician to follow as he diagnoses what's wrong with your vehicle. In a way, it's like going to your Pelham doctor with a problem. She'll run some additional tests and gather the information she needs to make a diagnosis and form a treatment plan. How much a vehicle diagnosis costs at Tuffy Pelham in Pelham depends on how much time it takes to sort out the symptoms and find the underlying problem.

Give us a call.

Tuffy Pelham
205-624-2190
3422 Pelham Parkway
Pelham, Alabama 35124
https://www.tuffypelham.com/

More articles from Tuffy Pelham

Time for a Brake (Brake Pad Replacement)

September 1, 2025

Stop! It's one of those things your vehicle has to do consistently and reliably. That's why brake maintenance is vitally important, worthwhile for you to make sure stays up to date. A brake system has many components. If your vehicle has disc brakes, they have pads that make contact with the rot... More

The Vivacious Vernal Vehicle (Preparing Vehicle for Spring)

August 25, 2025

Most of us look forward to spring because the days are longer, the weather's warmer and we can finally get our vehicles into warm weather mode. Here are a few things that will breathe fresh energy into anyone's car, SUV, truck or van. First thing is a good cleaning, especially underneath. If you... More

Taking the Heat (Batteries in Hot Weather)

August 18, 2025

Quick question. Which is tougher on a vehicle's battery, the heat or the cold? Believe it or not, it's the heat. Think about it. The battery often sits in the engine compartment next to that motor generating lots of heat. That can accelerate corrosion in the battery and may even cause water i... More