Most people drop off their car for an inspection without knowing exactly what's being checked. Here's what Lee and Brian at ProAuto actually look at — and why each item is on the list.
The drive before the lift
If there's a complaint or concern, we'll often drive the vehicle first. Noises, vibrations, brake feel, pull — many problems are much clearer when the car is moving than when it's sitting on a lift. Describing what you experience before you drop off helps us know where to focus.
Under the hood
Fluid levels are the first check: oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid (on vehicles equipped with it), and windshield washer fluid. We also look at the engine oil's condition on the dipstick — color and consistency tell us a lot about how the engine has been maintained and whether it's burning or contaminating oil.
Belts and hoses get a visual inspection for cracks, fraying, swelling, or soft spots. A serpentine belt that looks marginal is worth noting — it runs the alternator, water pump, and power steering pump, and a belt failure leaves you stranded.
On the lift
The underside of the car is where a lot gets revealed, especially on vehicles with some age and miles. We check brake pad thickness on all four corners and rotor condition. We look at the suspension — ball joints, tie rods, bushings, struts — for wear and play. We check exhaust system components for damage or excessive corrosion.
On Chicago-area vehicles, we pay attention to brake line and fuel line corrosion. Salt is hard on the underbody over time, and on older vehicles, these lines can corrode to the point where they're a safety concern.
Tires and wheels
Tread depth and wear pattern on all four tires. Uneven wear tells us about inflation history and alignment. A tire wearing on the inside edge points to negative camber — often a suspension or alignment issue. We also look at the sidewalls for cracking or impact damage.
Lights and electrics
A walk-around to verify all exterior lights are working. This one takes two minutes and often turns up a brake light or turn signal the owner didn't know was out.
What we do with what we find
Every item we check gets a status: good, needs monitoring, or needs service. For anything in the "needs service" category, we'll explain what it is, why it matters, and what we recommend. If something can wait, we'll say so and give you an honest timeline. If something is a genuine safety concern, we'll tell you clearly.
No commission means no incentive to manufacture problems. The goal is to give you an accurate picture of where your car stands.
ProAuto | 6100 W Dempster St, Morton Grove, IL 60053 | (847) 232-7777
