Your modern vehicle’s engine is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment. Federal Exhaust Emission and Fuel Economy regulations demand that today’s vehicles use electronic engine control systems to curb carbon emissions and increase fuel efficiency. With advanced control systems taking the place of simple engine components, common maintenance services such as tune-ups become less vital. Your vehicle still requires regular services (such as spark plug and filter replacements). You will also need computerized analysis of your vehicle’s control computer. At Alabaster Auto, our factory-trained technicians provide these basic services.

Here’s how your modern vehicle’s control computer operates:

A network of sensors and switches convert and monitor engine operating conditions into electrical signals. The computer receives this information, and, based on information and instructions coded within this savvy computer program, it sends commands to three different systems: ignition, fuel, and emission control. When a problem arises—the “check engine” light turns on—our service pros checks it out. Bring in your vehicle, we’ll check it out, and you can know if the “check engine” is a real problem, or just a sensor/computer issue.

Here’s a brief overview of your vehicle’s sensory components:

• Mass airflow sensor
• Throttle position sensor
• Manifold absolute pressure sensor
• Coolant temperature sensor
• Exhaust oxygen sensor
• Crankshaft position sensor
• Camshaft position sensor