Guide
Overheating Diagnosis: A Safe Sequence
An overheating engine is a stop-now event. Once it has cooled, the diagnostic question is whether coolant is being lost, not circulating,…
Guides
Guide
Charging System Diagnosis: Battery, Alternator or Drain
A repeatedly flat battery has three broad causes: the battery no longer holds charge, the alternator is not replacing charge while driving,…
Guide
A Framework for Diagnosing an Engine Misfire
A misfire means one or more cylinders are not combusting properly. The efficient path is to identify which cylinder, then work through…
Guide
Limp Mode and Reduced Power: What It Means
Limp mode is a deliberate protective limit imposed by the engine or transmission computer after it detects a fault. It is the…
Guide
Why Complaint Counts Are Not Failure Rates
A complaint count is a numerator with no denominator. Without knowing how many vehicles were built, sold, and still on the road,…
Guide
Recall, Investigation, Bulletin or Complaint: Which Is Which
These four record types carry very different weight. A recall is a formal safety action with a required remedy; an investigation is…
Guide
Warning Light Urgency: Red, Amber and What to Do
Colour is the fastest urgency signal on the dashboard: red generally means stop safely and address it now; amber generally means a…
Guide
What a Technical Service Bulletin Actually Means
A technical service bulletin (TSB) is a manufacturer's repair instruction to its dealer network. It documents a known pattern and a recommended…
Guide
What CarFaultIQ Severity Means
Severity describes potential safety or mechanical consequence, while urgency and drivability answer different questions. A code prefix alone never determines severity.
Guide
How to Use an OBD Code and Symptoms Together
A code and a symptom are separate evidence channels. Combine them with vehicle context and discriminating tests rather than replacing parts from…