If you’re in the market for a new car or truck, you’ve probably heard the term “driveability” used by service technicians. It is a term widely used by auto mechanics but not always consistently defined from shop to shop.
What does driveability mean in simple terms? And how can you tell whether a vehicle has good drivability or not?
Let’s look at what drivability means, starting by establishing a consistent definition.
Let’s Define Driveability.
Driveability is a diagnostic term that refers to the ability of your vehicle to drive. It can be simplified even further to “how well your vehicle runs,” although this could be defined differently by various sellers, buyers, and vehicle mechanics.
What’s not subjective about drivability, however, is how it can be diagnosed on a vehicle. For example, cars that don’t start or shudder while operating fail some of the most basic tenants of driveability.
Most shops base the drivability of a vehicle on nine specific questions:
- Does the vehicle turn over when the key is turned?
- Does the vehicle actually start when the key is turned?
- Does the engine stay running after it’s turned on?
- Does the vehicle stay running when stopped?
- Does the vehicle stop or stutter during acceleration?
- Does the vehicle require specific temperatures to run?
- Does the vehicle stop running for no discernible reason?
- Does the vehicle struggle to maintain power up hills?
- Does the vehicle misfire during acceleration?
Let’s look at how you can diagnose poor drivability quickly.
How Can You Diagnose A Vehicle That Lacks Driveability?
As mentioned, the definition of drivability depends on your vehicle’s performance. If a car or truck fails any of the nine basic operability questions, it doesn’t have good driveability.
There are several ways to identify drivability issues in a vehicle. Perhaps the first way to discover immediate matters is to take the vehicle on a test drive. If you notice any misfiring, stalling, or shaking while accelerating, move on to a different vehicle.
Not noticing issues while driving doesn’t necessarily mean your vehicle is problem-free. Instead, it’s time to get a professional opinion. The experts at Lonsdale Auto Works can perform diagnostics to help you make an informed decision about your next steps.
Here’s what you can expect:
- A full evaluation of your vehicle’s performance as per the nine questions defined in this guide.
- Associating named issues with diagnostic OBD-II codes so you can get greater clarity surrounding specific problems or repairs.
- Our professional judgment regarding the state of your vehicle and an honest opinion regarding whether it’s a good buy or not.
You can schedule a convenient driveability diagnostic by contacting Lonsdale Auto Works today.
Take Your Vehicle To Lonsdale Auto Works For Driveability Diagnosis
No one wants to buy a car with poor driveability. To avoid a lemon (and an expensive repair), you need a professional team with world-class equipment to catch issues well in advance.
The highly trained experts at Lonsdale Auto Works can help you do all this and more. We remain one of the most trusted auto repair shops in Lonsdale, MN for pre-purchase inspections, evaluations, and more. Whether you’re worried about a dud or just checking your six, you can rely on our team to keep your needs in mind.
You can connect with the professionals at Lonsdale Auto Works to set up an appointment for your drivability diagnostics. Feel free to give us a call at (507) 744-3304 or book an online appointment with us today.
