Back to all

The Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Appleton Guide to Vehicle Diagnosis

November 20, 2016

Modern Appleton 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 Appleton drivers to track down the source of the problem.

To help your service advisor at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Appleton 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 Tire & Auto Service Center Appleton 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 Appleton 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 Tire & Auto Service Center Appleton in Appleton depends on how much time it takes to sort out the symptoms and find the underlying problem.

Give us a call.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Appleton
920-954-8500
2940 E. College Ave.
Appleton, Wisconsin 54915

More articles from Tuffy Appleton

Stop! And See Us (Brake Pad Replacement)

October 23, 2025

If youve ever driven a bicycle with hand brakes, youll probably understand how the brake pads on your vehicle work. Bicycle brakes use a system that squeezes the bike wheels rim with a pair of cushioned pads activated by your hand squeezing the hand brakes on your handlebars. The friction of tho... More

Steer Clear (Power Steering Pump Replacement)

October 12, 2025

When it comes to ease and precision of steering, todays vehicles are engineering marvels. One of the keys to just how good steering is lies in the refinement of power-assisted steering which we know simply as power steering. At the heart of the system is an electrically or belt-driven power ste... More

Don?t Skip Out on These! (Vehicle Maintenance Items You Should Never Postpone)

October 5, 2025

Maybe that little sticker on your windshield is giving you the reminder that its time for your vehicle to have an oil change. Youve thought, Aw, I can skip this one and save myself a little money. When it comes to things you should never ignore on your vehicle, timely oil changes are number one... More