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Results are grouped by useful content—not by paid placement or guessed parts. Describe the symptom naturally; IAR recognizes common alternate wording while keeping exact codes and vehicle details precise.
Your available vehicle context is included where the destination supports it. AI guidance stays separate from verified IAR source records.
An oil-pressure warning can represent actual lubrication-pressure loss or an electrical/sensor reporting fault. Because real pressure loss can damage an engine quickly, operation safety comes before diagnosis.
professional recommendedLocate and classify an oil leak, check the immediate safety clues, and separate a visible external leak from oil consumption or another fluid.
General guidanceSeparate actual low tire pressure from a TPMS malfunction, sensor, compatibility, registration, or relearn concern.
intermediateClassify an engine noise by when it occurs, where it is heard, and what warnings or operating changes accompany it before choosing a safe inspection path.
professional recommendedUse steering angle, speed, throttle, braking, and road surface to separate tire, wheel, hub, bearing, CV-joint, suspension, steering, and driveline causes.
intermediateClassify smoke or a burning smell by location, color, timing, and nearby systems before attempting another drive or touching a hot component.
intermediateA wheel that locks, a brake that stays applied, or a vehicle that pulls with heat or odor can become a control and fire hazard. Stop driving and separate friction, hydraulic, parking-brake, mechanical, and control evidence with the exact vehicle procedure.
professional recommendedSeparate braking pull, acceleration/load-sensitive pull, tire pull, steering/suspension faults, and alignment geometry before ordering an alignment or replacing a part.
intermediateUse road speed, steering load, acceleration/coast, gear or drive mode, and tire condition to separate wheel-bearing, tire, CV/shaft, differential, axle, and other rotating-noise paths.
intermediateSeparate actual tire-pressure loss from sensor detection, compatibility, registration, and receiver concerns without guessing a universal relearn process.
Test-first procedureUse controlled pressure on a cool system to investigate leaks without opening a hot, pressurized cooling circuit.
Test-first procedureSeparate vibration caused by brake application from a shake that follows road speed before choosing a brake, wheel, tire, hub, or suspension path.
Test-first procedureSeparate state of charge, battery condition, and connection problems before blaming the starter or alternator.
Test-first procedureCheck whether the vehicle is replenishing electrical energy under its intended operating strategy instead of applying one universal voltage rule.
Test-first procedureFind resistance in a loaded power or ground path without assuming that continuity or an unloaded voltage proves the circuit is healthy.
Test-first procedureInvestigate key-off battery drain only after the vehicle has entered its correct sleep state and the evidence is preserved.
Test-first procedureSeparate start-request, interlock, cable, ground, solenoid, and starter-motor evidence before bypassing the circuit or replacing the starter.
Test-first procedureSeparate missing ignition, fuel delivery, control, synchronization, and mechanical evidence after the engine is confirmed to crank.
Test-first procedureUse warning behavior, scan context, cylinder pattern, and controlled contribution evidence to separate ignition, fuel, air, and mechanical branches.
Test-first procedureCompare operating pattern, temperature data, and airflow evidence without applying a universal gauge, infrared, or fan rule.
Test-first procedureApplies controlled pressure to a cool system for leak inspection. Never exceed the specified test pressure.
Specialty toolsMeasures pressure on compatible systems. High-pressure direct injection requires specialized procedures.
Diagnostic toolsUse the exact oil specification, quantity, filter, interval, and reset procedure for the vehicle.
Verify vehicle intervalThe system may be reporting low tire pressure, a sensor/communication problem, or a relearn/registration condition. Measure the tires before diagnosing electronics.
CautionThe engine or emissions control system has detected a condition that should be investigated. The lamp alone does not identify a failed part.
Assess promptlyThe vehicle has detected a charging-system or electrical-generation concern. The battery symbol does not by itself prove the battery failed.
Assess promptlyThe engine or cooling system is reporting excessive temperature or a related protection condition. The warning does not identify whether the cause is coolant loss, airflow, circulation, control, or internal leakage.
Stop and assessThe traction-control, stability-control, or related chassis-control system has reported a fault, has been switched off, or is actively intervening. The lamp alone does not identify a failed sensor or module.
Assess promptlyThe supplemental restraint system has detected a fault or is not fully available. A lamp is not a reason to probe connectors or install a used restraint component.
CautionThe control system reached a rich-condition diagnostic threshold for Bank 1. The data does not by itself prove an injector, fuel-pressure, MAF sensor, or oxygen-sensor failure.
Generic codeThe control system reached a rich-condition diagnostic threshold for Bank 2. The data does not by itself prove an injector, fuel-pressure, MAF sensor, or oxygen-sensor failure.
Generic codeThe generic EVAP monitor reported a system-level malfunction. The code identifies the monitored emissions system, not a failed cap, valve, hose, canister, sensor, or other specific part.
Generic codeThe generic EVAP monitor detected purge-flow behavior outside its expected strategy. The code does not prove the purge valve itself is failed; the flow path, sealing, sensing, electrical control, and vehicle-specific monitor conditions still have to be tested.
Generic codeThe EVAP monitor detected a small-leak or sealing condition. The code does not identify the physical leak location or prove which component failed.
Generic codeThe EVAP monitor detected a very small leak or inability to maintain the expected seal. The code does not identify the leak location or prove a specific valve, cap, hose, or canister failed.
Generic codeThe EVAP monitor detected a large-leak or inability-to-seal condition. It does not identify where the leak or control fault is located.
Generic codeThe tire is the vehicle's contact with the road. Pressure warnings, vibration, pull, noise, and wear patterns must be interpreted with the vehicle placard, tire condition, wheel mounting, and chassis condition.
System guideThe engine turns stored fuel energy into controlled torque. Good diagnosis separates a combustion problem from a mechanical, control, mounting, or support-system problem before parts are removed.
System guideThe brake system converts motion into heat and controls wheel deceleration. Noise, vibration, pull, warning lamps, and pedal changes require inspection of the whole system rather than one assumed axle or part.
System guideThe cooling system moves heat away from the engine and releases it through controlled coolant flow and airflow. Overheating demands immediate safety judgment before diagnosis.
System guideThe fuel system stores and meters fuel under controlled conditions. A no-start, lean code, odor, or hesitation can involve supply, command, air measurement, electrical control, mechanical condition, or vapor management.
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