Posted by Brian England on Thu, Nov 11, 2010
One of the most important tools we have when we are diagnosing problems is the "diagnostic check sheet”. This is vital to a speedy (less costly) diagnosis. The diagnostic sheet can be filled out by the customer or by our staff; either way it establishes a baseline on the problem. When your car has a problem, download the diagnostic sheet related to the system on your car. Then use this check list to gather information that will be used by the technician, the service writer and a hotline service if needed. This is one of the most important partnerships we have with our customers. With good quality relevant information gathered by the customer it allows the technician to do quick searches of the industry internet data bases. Checking special internet data bases is important because we do not want to spend a lot of time finding a problem that someone else has already diagnosed.
We have six forms right here on the British American Auto Care website. All you have to do is select the form which applies to the problem you are experiencing with your car.
It is very important when having something diagnosed to not jump to conclusions or give the auto service and repair shop a list of things you have found on the internet or a list from a friend. True one of the items you give them might be the problem -- but which one? It puts the shop in a very awkward position and they would have to address everything so that you don’t say, “I told you what the problem was!!"