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Showerthought: I finally get why you should always check the simple stuff first
I used to jump straight into the computer for every check engine light, but a mentor showed me a loose gas cap on a 2021 RAV4 was the culprit. How many hours do you think we waste overcomplicating basic fixes?
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spencer_webb8d ago
Man, that's so true. I've seen techs waste a whole hour on a scan and tests for an evap code that was just a cap not clicked three times. @grant901 has the right idea with that shop rule, it builds the right habit. The computer is a tool, not the first step. My own rule now is a quick walk-around for anything obvious, caps, lights, even tire pressure, before I ever touch a laptop. It feels silly sometimes, but it fixes the problem way more often than you'd guess.
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My old shop had a rule. Check the gas cap before you even plug in the scanner. Saved so much time.
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