Autotech Automotive
6 Aberjona Drive Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Woburn, MA 01801
www.autotechwoburn.com
781-935-5400 E-Mail: autotechautomotive@comcast.net
Autotech Auto Tips Diagnostic Checklist
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Noises, smells, leaks and operating changes are all signs that something could be wrong with your vehicle.
To make repairing your vehicle faster and less costly, go through this check list and check off what is applicable to your
vehicle’s problems. (Check all boxes that apply.) You can give this check list to Autotech when you take your vehicle in
for service or use it when you call us for an appointment.
Performance Problems
√ Problem Description
□ Cuts out Temporary, complete loss of power. Engine quits at sharp, irregular intervals. May occur
repeatedly or intermittently. Usually worse under heavy acceleration.
□ Ping or Knock Mild to severe ping, usually worse under acceleration and load. Engine makes sharp, metallic
knocks that change with throttle opening. Sounds like marbles rattling around.
□ Hesitation Momentary lack of response as accelerator is pressed. Can occur at all speeds. Usually most
severe when starting from a stop. May cause engine to stall.
□ Missing Pulsation or jerking which changes with engine speed. Exhaust has a steady spitting sound at
idle or low speed. Not normally felt above 30 mph.
□ Rough idle Engine runs unevenly at idle. Car may also shake.
□ Sluggish Engine delivers limited power under load or at high speed. Won't accelerate as fast as normal.
Loses too much speed going up hills. Has less speed than normal.
□ Stall Engine stops running or dies out. May occur at idle or while driving.
□ Surge Vehicle speeds up and slows down with no change on accelerator pedal. Can occur at any speed.
Noises: What is your car trying to tell you when it clicks, clunks and grinds? Translating these noise signals is key
information for automotive technicians who are trained to identify problems via sound. The important thing to remember
with odd sounds is to be specific, narrow that ‘rattle’ down, and then detail when it happens — when the car’s hot,
cold, at idle, moving at 55 mph, etc.:
□ Squeaky brakes □ Knocking under hood
□ Grinding brakes □ Growling from air conditioner
□ Metal on metal when braking □ Whining from tires on highway
□ Squealing windshield wipers □ Squealing from tires when turning a corner
□ Screeching under the hood □ Grinding while shifting gears
□ Popping from engine □ Clunking under hood when gears change
Autotech Automotive
781-935-5400
Smells: Learning to pinpoint strange vehicle odors can help your automotive technician sniff out the real cause of the
problem. Here are a few common odiferous car complaints:
□ Sweet odor, usually accompanied by steam from under the hood
□ Clear liquid with a smell
□ Heavy, thick odor, possibly accompanied by smoke from under the hood or from the exhaust
□ Acrid odor, like burned toast
□ Continuous, heavy sulfur odor, like rotten eggs
□ Burning material or rubber odor
Leaks: If your vehicle is leaving strange stains or other visual signs behind on the driveway, you need to pinpoint the
following signals:
□ Black stains □ Yellow, green, pink or orange-colored stains
□ Brownish-colored stains □ Clear liquid
□ Reddish-colored stains
Handling: Handling issues are unnerving and need to be checked out ASAP. Check the following that apply.
□ Difficult to steer □ Shimmies on highway
□ Drifts to either side □ Thumping or whining
□ Pulls upon braking □ Noise when cornering
1. Where does the problem come from?
Inside car –
Front □ Center □ Rear □ Instrument Panel □ Seat □ Door □ Window □ Floor □ Trunk □
Outside car –
Left □ Right □ Front □ Rear □ Under hood □
2. When does it happen?
During braking □ When shifting □ During turning □ At ___ mph □ On rough roads □
While accelerating (increasing load) □ While decelerating (coasting) □
Mostly when using –
Brakes □ Heater/air conditioning □ Steering □ Starter □ Radio/power antenna □ Clutch □
Windshield wiper/washer □ Other □
When the engine is –
Idling □ Hot □ Cold □ Being started □
3. How often does it happen?
Always □ Comes and goes □ After ___ miles □
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this important information about your vehicle.
Autotech Automotive
781-935-5400
