Multi-Point Inspection

Do You Need a Multi-Point Inspection?

Your car needs to be pampered, and there’s no way around spending a little money to keep it in good mechanical shape. One of the many things we offer our customers here at Cloverdale Auto is a multi-point inspection.

Checking numerous components in your vehicle to ensure they’re in top condition is imperative for the longevity of your car. Do you need an MPI? No, it’s not essential for the operation of your automobile, but these inspections help you stay on top of maintenance issues.

Understanding the Multi-Point Inspection

As a vehicle gets more miles on it, it’s only natural that parts wear and need to be replaced. You often don’t know something is wrong until it breaks. A multi-point inspection can keep you from paying tow bills and ensure you stay in the fast lane. Here are a few things we check in these inspections.

1. Filters

You have several filters in your car, and each one of the filters in your vehicle is essential. The oil filter is responsible for catching gasoline debris before entering your engine. If you ever get bad gas, you will know the importance of this filter, as it helps to protect your fuel pump.

The air filter catches any pollutants in the air before it enters your engine. This filter helps your engine to run better. Additionally, many people don’t realize that there’s a filter in their transmission, and inspection is vital. Changing out a clogged transmission or fuel filter can keep you from costly repairs down the road.

Lastly, a cabin filter helps keep the air inside your vehicle fresh. All these filters need to be replaced periodically.

2. Battery and Alternator Health

Your battery health is critical to the overall function of your vehicle. While they usually start acting up in the cold weather, we can quickly identify an issue by testing it. We will also test your alternator that works closely with the battery to keep things charged.

3. Exhaust

Most people notice exhaust issues when encountering a foul smell or a loud noise. We inspect the exhaust to ensure there’s no rust or other issues that will soon become a maintenance problem.

4. Belts and Hoses

There are numerous belts and hoses throughout the vehicle. The most common belts like the serpentine, drive, and timing belts all tend to break when driving down the road. While they might squeal before they snap, they don’t always give you such a courtesy.

Additionally, there are many hoses connecting your vehicle’s many components. We ensure there are no leaks that need attention.

5. Oil

How long has it been since your last oil change? Is the oil the right color without any milky residue in the cylinders? Your oil is the lifeline for your vehicle, and you want to ensure this vital fluid isn’t contaminated in any way.

7. Fluid Levels

We check the following fluids, windshield wiper, coolant, brake, power steering, and transmission. Keeping your fluids at the proper level is imperative for the safe operation of your vehicle.

8. Transmission Health

Once we’ve identified that your transmission filter is good and your fluid is a pinkish-red color and doesn’t smell burnt, we ensure that it’s shifting correctly. Transmissions are expensive to replace, so preventative maintenance matters most.

9. Engine Health

Is the engine running correctly? Are any burning smells coming from this vital component during the run time? Are there any leaks on the manifold from worn seals or cracks? Does it engage properly when you press the gas pedal? These are all things we look for to ensure engine health.

10. Gaskets and Seals

Gaskets and seals are made of rubber, and your seals may break down over time. One of the most common seals to fail is the valve gasket cover. This is the piece that keeps the spark plug cylinders dry.

When this piece fails, the oil will leak down onto the manifold, causing a horrible burning smell. A quick inspection of the gaskets and seals helps protect your vital fluids.

11. Brakes

Do your brakes engage with the right timing? Are the rotors in good health, or are they warped? How much is left on the brake pads? You need good brakes to drive in the Winston Salem area, so we want to ensure your brakes are in top shape.

12. Tie Rods, Ball Joints, Sway Bar End Links, and Struts

Your suspension system will help you get safely down life’s highways. Did you know that driving with a broken tie rod or ball joint can cause your vehicle to be uncontrollable? Your suspension system is not something you want to mess with, so we want to ensure everything is in working order.

Final Thoughts on the Multi-Point Inspection

Once the technician completes all the multi-point inspection sheet parts, they will give you a summary. Items that need prompt attention need to be fixed immediately. These items will likely cause a mechanical breakdown if not handled in a prompt manner.

There are other things that technicians will notate that will likely need to be addressed soon. These are things that aren’t critical, but they’re becoming worn. You might see comments like this about brake pads or tire tread. Some people don’t have these multi-point inspections, but others feel that an MPI is vital to stay on top of their automobile maintenance.

Whether you’re buying a used car, want to maintain yours, or need to ensure the health of a loved one’s automobile, we can help you. Call us today at 336-331-3448 to schedule your next multi-point inspection or service.

Cloverdale Auto Service