10 types of faults that cars can "self-diagnose"

    Cars are complex vehicles that can have many problems during use. However, if someone asked "Which car faults can be diagnosed by themselves?" 10 years ago, almost no one could answer this question. However, with the development of car fault diagnosis technology, the question should perhaps be changed to "Which car faults cannot be diagnosed by themselves?"

    Today's cars are surrounded by a large number of sensors. Sensors are present in the engine, tires, fuel tanks, windshields, electronic systems, seats... and the system responsible for collecting the data obtained by these sensors is called "on-board diagnostics" or "OBD".

    The problem is that cars are perfectly capable of diagnosing their own "health," but the difficulty is communicating that information to the driver. Today's cars are like babies, crying loudly when they encounter any problems - and the car will light up the engine warning light to indicate a malfunction.

    After collecting information from the sensors, the car computer will generate fault codes, which can only be read by special instruments. Usually, mechanics have such a diagnostic instrument. They will tell the car owner the specific fault of the car. Some people may ask, can the mechanic only know the fault of the vehicle? Of course not. This article will list the 10 most common fault information or maintenance information that car owners can judge by the performance of the vehicle.

1. When to change the engine oil

    Car maintenance manuals used to tell car owners to change their oil every 3,000 miles. But as engine technology and oil quality improved, the reminders in the manuals also increased these numbers to 5,000 miles and 10,000 miles. Even so, such manuals are still outdated.

    Almost all cars today are equipped with a variety of sensors that can tell the driver when to change the oil. The car can also monitor the driver's driving behavior, so as to provide the owner with a more appropriate oil change strategy. If the driver drives steadily and keeps the car at a constant speed most of the time, the oil change cycle can be relatively long; if the owner is impatient and likes to make aggressive driving behaviors such as overtaking and running red lights from time to time, then he needs to change the oil more frequently. In other cars, when the system detects that the vehicle needs to change the oil, it will recommend the driver to go to the 4S store of the corresponding brand for replacement.

2. Abnormal tire pressure

    The tire pressure monitoring system is part of the car's basic self-diagnostic system. The simplest tire pressure monitoring system can tell the driver that a tire is not hard enough, but it will not show which tire it is, nor will it tell the driver how much harder it is than the other tires. All of these require the owner to find the answer himself. Fortunately, the owner only needs to answer a multiple-choice question with 4 options.

    More advanced tire pressure monitoring systems will display abnormal pressure values ​​of a specific tire and the difference between the pressure values ​​of other tires, and inform the driver in the form of a small light on the center console. If the situation becomes serious, the small light will even flash, the system will sound an alarm, etc.

3. Braking hazards

    Even without advanced sensors, the car itself can tell the driver that the brake pedal needs to be replaced in a not-so-high-tech way - the car will make a "pig-like howling sound" when braking. Obviously, the driver will feel something is wrong. But this is very dangerous, because you never know when the car's brake system will fail.

    When the car has sensors, it can "remind" in a gentler way that insufficient braking force is due to thin brake pads or other reasons. BMW and Acura brand cars can also contact dealers through the in-vehicle communication system and list the car as a "dangerous role that may threaten the safety of other vehicles."

4. Filter is clogged

    As the number of alternative fuels in cars increases, it takes time for drivers to adapt to various powertrains and car fuels. Electric vehicles use a large number of sensors installed in wheels, seats, body and other locations, so it is not uncommon for drivers to hear various alarm sounds while driving.

    Diesel engines are not a new powertrain, and are as well known as gasoline engines. However, the difference between the two is that there are many slags in diesel powertrains, which should be more scientifically called "particles". This is one of the reasons why diesel vehicles are "notorious", and for this reason, relevant agencies require diesel vehicles to be equipped with various filters.

    Engineering is making diesel powertrains cleaner using a variety of technologies, such as using filters in the exhaust system.

    In today's cars, sensors detect when the exhaust filter is clogged and tell the driver when it needs to be replaced.

5. Sensors help defog

    The interior of the Honda Acura RLX is equipped with an air humidity sensor. When the air in the car is too humid, the air conditioning system will automatically turn on to speed up the air circulation in the car and prevent frost and fog from accumulating on the windows.

6. The fuel tank cap is not tightened

    When the engine fault indicator light comes on, it is also the most frightening moment for drivers, because many problems can cause the light to come on. But when the owner drives the car to the repair shop with anxiety, the mechanic reads the engine fault code and finally tells you that the reason for the fault light coming on is that the fuel tank cap is not closed.

    Although it sounds like a small matter, in fact, it will lead to a significant increase in the fuel consumption of the car. Next time, pay more attention after filling up the gas tank and check whether the fuel tank cap is tightened.

7. Oil level detection

 

    In addition to fuel, there are also transmission oil, brake oil, power steering oil, coolant and other liquids in the car. In the past, you could check the level of most oils by opening the engine hood and observing the marks on the dipstick or by visual inspection. Of course, this method still works now, but the question is, who has time to open the engine hood from time to time?

    Fortunately, today’s automotive sensors also have the ability to detect whether there are sufficient quantities of various types of fluids.

8. Check the battery power

 

    When the car battery is low on power, the driver will be in a very embarrassing situation and can only call a friend for help. But when you are in a remote area, there may not be any friends willing to help. So, how can you avoid this embarrassing situation?

    At present, some cars are equipped with sensors that can detect the battery power of the car. If the system detects that the battery is low, it will remind the driver to shut down other electronic systems. When the battery is about to run out, the system in the car will automatically call the dealer. Then a dedicated service staff will contact the car owner to provide assistance.

9. Anti-theft

 

10. Detect harmful gas indicators in the car

 

    Humans breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, while plants do the opposite, so humans and plants coexist with each other.

    What cars "exhale" are carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which are very harmful to the human body. Gases can penetrate everywhere, and drivers who sit in the car for a long time may be harmed by these gases.

    However, some cars are now equipped with sensors that can detect harmful gas indicators in the car. Once the indicators are excessive, the sensor will sound an alarm to remind the driver to open the windows for ventilation.