Annual checkups from your physician keep you in good health, right? Well, the same goes for your car—regular diagnostic tests can detect problems with your vehicle before they require expensive repairs, or worse, leave you stranded on the side of the road after a breakdown. And while many people think diagnostic tests are only necessary when the check engine light comes on, there are many benefits to taking a proactive approach to car maintenance.

Of all the technological advances in the automotive sector over the decades, one of the most beneficial to consumers and auto technicians alike has been the computerization of the car’s components. Using specialized software, car diagnostic tools quickly and accurately point to problem areas in a car’s engine or elsewhere, thanks to built-in processors, microchips and sensors.