What is a tune up? – Diagnosis The tune-up begins with three important steps. The first step, which we have already discussed, is communicating with the motorist. The motorist should not try to diagnose the problem rather he or she should simply explain what they are experiencing – in other words what’s happening. Next, the technician should take the car for a test drive. The test drive should be conducted using a variety of driving conditions, within a short distance and in a reasonable length of time. A few stops and accelerations, along with some light cruise conditions are the minimum elements of a complete test drive. The test drive should also address any specific complaints that have been expressed by the motorist. Look at the gauges, check for noises, as well as stopping and handling characteristics. Make mental notes or write down anything you find. Finally, the technician should bring the vehicle into the bay for a quick visual check. What is the general under hood condition? Are there any missing components? Look at the battery connections. Remove a spark plug and check for wear and fouling. Check the filters, including air, breather, and fuel. With permission, check for oil leaks, brakes, or suspension issues and run computerized diagnostics. This is a good time to evaluate the overall condition of the vehicle and determine whether the motorist’s expectations can be met within the time and dollar estimate. If anything new was found the technician should alert the customer along with informing them about any additional charges and diagnostic fees may be. It's not necessary that every potential problem is diagnosed before calling the motorist. However, make sure that all major areas have been addressed. For example, if the ABS light came on during the test drive; the technician should call to inform the motorist of this problem and what it will cost to diagnose it. Back to Things You Should Know Visit our Resource Library for available downloads