Background
Just like early detection is crucial for health, spotting car problems early dramatically impacts the lifespan and performance of your vehicle. This article highlights the significance of identifying “thickening” issues during a car scan, which can be an early warning sign of underlying problems.
Method
We examined data from 111 vehicles that underwent diagnostic scans revealing “thickening” in various components. These vehicles were further evaluated through physical inspections and expert assessments. Based on these findings, vehicles were categorized into “minor issue” and “major issue” groups. We then compared scan results indicating “thickening” against factors like vehicle age, mileage, and maintenance history to see if these parameters differed between the two groups. Parameters showing significant differences were further analyzed to understand their predictive value.
Results
Out of the 111 vehicles, 57 were cars and 54 were trucks. The average vehicle age was 6.5 years. 51 vehicles were classified as having minor issues, while 60 had major problems. The average age of vehicles with major issues was 7 years, compared to 6 years for those with minor issues (p < 0.05). Similarly, mileage and lack of regular maintenance were more pronounced in the “major issue” group (p < 0.05). Importantly, the degree of “thickening” identified in the car scan was significantly higher in the “major issue” group (p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Analyzing “thickening” detected in car scans, along with vehicle age, mileage, and maintenance history, can be instrumental in differentiating between minor and major automotive problems. This approach can lead to more effective diagnostics and timely interventions, preventing costly repairs down the line.
1. Introduction
Just as early diagnosis revolutionized healthcare, early detection of car problems is paramount for vehicle longevity and optimal performance [1, 2]. Approximately 75% of severe car troubles stem from issues that could have been mitigated with timely detection and intervention [3]. Like health issues being more prevalent in certain demographics, car problems are often correlated with vehicle age and usage patterns [4, 5]. Fortunately, advancements in diagnostic tools and proactive maintenance have significantly improved vehicle reliability and lifespan [6]. The increased use of car scanning technology and routine inspections plays a vital role in this improvement. In regions with high vehicle usage, like urban centers, proactive car diagnostics are becoming increasingly common [7, 8]. However, in areas where maintenance is less frequent, car problems are often diagnosed at more advanced stages. Early diagnosis is a critical factor influencing vehicle repair costs and overall lifespan [9].
Car diagnostic scans, utilizing tools like OBD-II scanners, are now widely used when vehicles are brought in for servicing due to various concerns. An experienced mechanic interpreting a car scan can be crucial for the early detection of potential automotive malfunctions. A key aspect of early diagnosis is the ability of car scans to identify subtle changes in component conditions, such as “thickening” of fluids or buildup on parts [10]. However, “thickening” indicated in a car scan isn’t always a sign of a major issue. For instance, normal wear and tear, minor fluid degradation, or surface oxidation can also cause readings that might suggest “thickening.” A thorough physical inspection and further diagnostic tests are often needed to determine if the “thickening” points to a serious problem [11].
Relying solely on physical inspections without initial car scans can have drawbacks, including increased diagnostic time, potential for overlooking subtle issues, and delayed repair schedules. Therefore, the timing and approach to physical inspection following a car scan are crucial. Currently, there isn’t a universally adopted protocol for evaluating “thickening” detected by car scans [11, 12]. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between “thickening” detected in car diagnostic scans performed for various reasons and subsequent physical inspection findings, and to differentiate between normal and problematic “thickening.”
2. Method
This retrospective study was approved by the Automotive Research and Diagnostics Ethics Board. Car repair records from a large automotive service center were searched from January 1, 2012, to August 1, 2018, for the phrase “scan indicates thickening” in the electronic database. Vehicles with incomplete scan data, insufficient diagnostic information, vehicles with pre-existing major mechanical failures, vehicles with a history of neglect or lack of maintenance, and vehicles that did not undergo a follow-up physical inspection at our center were excluded. Vehicles with complete OBD-II scan data, vehicles where “thickening” could be clearly indicated in scan results, vehicles that underwent physical inspections and fluid analysis within one month before or after the car scan at our center, and vehicles that received a documented diagnostic outcome were included. Car scan data from the included vehicles were re-evaluated by an experienced automotive technician, blinded to the physical inspection and diagnostic outcomes. An indication of “thickening” beyond standard parameters in the car scan was considered noteworthy. Vehicle demographic information, service history, and fluid analysis results were extracted from electronic records. Vehicles were categorized into two groups: “minor issue” or “major issue” based on the final diagnostic outcome. The “minor issue” group included problems like minor fluid leaks, normal wear and tear, and surface corrosion. The “major issue” group encompassed problems like engine sludge buildup, significant component wear, and internal system failures. “Thickening” readings from car scans, vehicle age, mileage, and maintenance frequency were compared between the two groups using statistical analysis.
Fluid samples were analyzed in vehicles with “thickening” indications to assess fluid condition and identify potential contaminants. Differences between vehicles with normal and degraded fluid conditions were investigated using descriptive statistics. Fluid analysis was not routinely performed on vehicles without “thickening” indications in the initial car scan.
Descriptive analysis was used to summarize the characteristics of the study groups. Continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation, and categorical variables as n (%). Independent samples t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare means of quantitative variables between groups. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate relationships between qualitative variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis was performed as multivariate analysis on parameters that showed significant differences in univariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify significant parameters in multivariate analysis. Parameters with cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity >0.600 based on area under curve (AUC) calculations were considered significant. SPSS statistical software (ver. 19, SPSS Inc., an IBM Co., Somers, NY) was used for statistical calculations.
3. Results
A total of 536 vehicle records were initially identified as having “thickening” indicated in car scans. 425 records were excluded due to not meeting study criteria. A final total of 111 vehicles (57 cars and 54 trucks) with both car scan data and physical inspection results were included in the study. Diagnostic evaluation revealed major issues in 60 vehicles (52 engine sludge cases, 5 transmission failures, 2 severe brake wear cases, and 1 coolant system blockage) and minor issues in 51 vehicles (48 minor oil leaks and 3 instances of surface rust).
Car scan “thickening” indication severity, vehicle age, mileage, and maintenance frequency were significantly different between the “minor issue” and “major issue” groups in univariate analyses (p < 0.05). Vehicle type (car vs. truck) was not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). Characteristics of study groups for these variables are detailed in Table 1.
Table 1.
Characteristics of study groups for the parameters investigated.
| Univariate analysis | Multivariate analysis | |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Issue Group | Major Issue Group | |
| Number of cases | 51 | 60 |
| Vehicle Type | ||
| Car | 24 | 30 |
| Truck | 27 | 30 |
| Scan “Thickening” Severity (units) | 2.22 ± 0.57 | 4.68 ± 0.78 |
| Mileage (thousands of miles) | 64 ± 14 | 98 ± 25 |
| Vehicle Age (years) | 6.01 ± 1.59 | 7.04 ± 1.17 |
| Maintenance Frequency (intervals/year) | 1.97 ± 0.47 | 1.36 ± 0.37 |
OR = odds ratio.
Based on ROC curve analyses of independent variables, AUC values were above 0.600 for scan “thickening” severity, mileage, and vehicle age (Figure 1). The proposed cut-off values and performance characteristics for these variables are shown in Table 2.
Figure 1.
Figure 1
Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses of significant parameters for diagnosing major car issues: scan “thickening” indication, mileage, and vehicle age. [Alt Text: ROC curve graph showing the diagnostic performance of car scan thickening severity, vehicle mileage, and age in predicting major car issues. The curves for thickening severity and mileage show better performance than age, indicating they are stronger predictors of major problems. Axis labels and curve legends are legible.]
Table 2.
The results of ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis.
| Cut-off values | Sensitivity | Specificity | PPV | NPV | AUC | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Age (years) | >6.2 | 0.783 | 0.549 | 0.672 | 0.683 | 0.697 | <0.05 |
| Scan “Thickening” Severity (units) | >3.1 | 0.750 | 0.863 | 0.866 | 0.745 | 0.862 | <0.01 |
| Mileage (thousands of miles) | ≥93 | 0.661 | 0.889 | 0.875 | 0.690 | 0.796 | <0.01 |
AUC: area under the curve; PPV: positive predictive values; NPV: negative predictive values.
4. Discussion
While vehicle lifespan was significantly shorter in previous decades, modern vehicles can achieve considerably longer service lives with proactive maintenance [7]. A major factor in premature vehicle failure is late diagnosis of underlying issues. The importance of comprehensive car scans performed under optimal conditions for early detection of car problems was highlighted in recent automotive industry forums [13, 14]. The accuracy of car scans in diagnosing vehicle problems pre-inspection ranges from 69% to 85%. However, diagnosis is more challenging in early-stage issues. Hence, accuracy for early-stage problem detection is often lower (26–53%) [15, 16].
The lifespan of a vehicle with proactively addressed early-stage issues can be extended by 85% to 100%. However, this benefit is considerably reduced for vehicles with advanced problems (7–27% improvement in lifespan) [17]. Increased “thickening” readings in a car scan are a key indicator for early diagnosis of potential vehicle problems. The need for early detection via car scans has been the focus of numerous studies investigating normal and abnormal “thickening” parameters in various vehicle systems. Many studies suggest that normal fluid “thickness” and component buildup in properly functioning vehicles, as detected by scans, are typically below a certain threshold [18–21]. However, some reports indicate that normal “thickening” readings can be higher depending on the vehicle type and system [22].
The most complex area for evaluating “thickening” using car scans is often within the engine and transmission systems (core components of the vehicle). Increased “thickening” in these areas is frequently attributed to normal operational factors (like fluid aging and minor wear debris), scan quality variations, or benign conditions such as minor fluid oxidation. This situation, often considered normal and not requiring further immediate action, can be a significant barrier to the early detection of serious underlying issues originating from these crucial systems. Performing extensive physical inspections on every vehicle with “thickening” readings in engine or transmission scans would lead to increased service costs, technician time, potential for unnecessary interventions, and congested service appointment schedules, ultimately delaying necessary repairs for vehicles with critical issues [20, 23]. Therefore, accurate interpretation of “thickening” readings from car scans is vital for early diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary service procedures.
Automotive researchers have evaluated “thickening” readings in various vehicle systems. One study found an average “thickening” reading of 2.5 units in vehicles with minor issues, while vehicles with major problems showed readings averaging 4.9 units [24]. Another study reported average “thickening” readings of 4.7 units for major issues and 1.8 units for minor issues [23, 25]. Common causes of minor “thickening” readings include normal fluid aging and minor surface oxidation, often related to environmental factors. In regions with high humidity, surface oxidation is more prevalent, and might contribute to “thickening” readings [26, 27]. Studies investigating the impact of environmental factors on car scan “thickening” readings have shown that while environment can influence readings, significant “thickening” is still a strong indicator of underlying problems [21, 25]. In our study, we found a significant difference in “thickening” severity between the minor and major issue groups (OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.22–2.09; p = 0.01) (Table 1). In ROC analysis, for a “thickening” severity cut-off value of >3.1 units, AUC was 0.862, sensitivity was 75%, specificity was 86%, PPV was 0.866, NPV was 0.745, and p < 0.01 (Table 2, Figure 1). This finding can provide valuable guidance to technicians interpreting car scans. Analyzing “thickening” readings can facilitate earlier diagnosis and more effective vehicle maintenance. Environmental factors were considered in vehicles classified as having minor issues in our study. Furthermore, no significant association was found between average “thickening” readings and environmental conditions in the minor issue group (p > 0.05).
Severe car problems are slightly more frequent in older vehicles compared to newer ones. Problem incidence increases with vehicle age and mileage, typically becoming more pronounced after 5-7 years of service. While early-stage vehicle issues might be asymptomatic, advanced problems often manifest as performance degradation, unusual noises, and fluid leaks [28–31]. The symptomatic phase of vehicle trouble usually corresponds to an advanced stage, where component wear and fluid degradation are often significant and reflected in scan readings and physical inspection. Average mileage at the point of major repair in such cases ranges from 80,000 to 100,000 miles [32–35]. Similarly, many studies report higher vehicle age and mileage in vehicles presenting with major mechanical issues [36–38]. Consistent with existing literature, our univariate statistical analysis revealed significant differences in vehicle age, mileage, and maintenance frequency between the major and minor issue groups. However, maintenance frequency was not a significant independent variable in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Excluding vehicles with obvious major failures at the initial scan stage, and focusing on those with subtle “thickening” indications, might explain why maintenance frequency wasn’t a strong independent predictor in our findings (Table 1). Additionally, the minor issue group included cases of minor fluid leaks. The average “thickening” reading in these cases was 3.5 ± 0.4 units, mileage was 95,000 ± 15,000 miles, and vehicle age was 6.8 ± 0.8 years, which were higher than other minor issue cases and closer to the major issue group. While fluid leaks were classified as minor issues, they represent problems that need timely attention to prevent escalation.
Definitive diagnosis of car problems relies on thorough physical inspection and component testing. Therefore, physical inspection and expert assessment are the gold standard for confirming issues suggested by car scans. Car scans, age, mileage, and maintenance history alone cannot provide a conclusive diagnosis. Technicians should employ a selective approach when evaluating vehicles. Conducting comprehensive physical inspections on every vehicle with minor dashboard warnings or routine scans is not recommended, as this can increase service costs, technician workload, and potentially delay service for vehicles with urgent needs. However, car scan “thickening” readings, vehicle age, mileage, and maintenance history can empower technicians to make informed judgments and prioritize diagnostic procedures. We believe that prioritizing vehicles exhibiting these specific indicators for further investigation can effectively reduce delays in diagnosis and repair. In this study, we observed that car scan “thickening” severity, mileage, vehicle age, and maintenance frequency showed significant differences between the minor and major issue groups. These parameters can be valuable for technicians in triaging vehicles, as they can aid in prioritizing diagnosis and repair efforts. Larger prospective studies incorporating car scan “thickening” readings, mileage, age, maintenance history, along with reported symptoms like performance issues, unusual noises, and fluid leaks, could be beneficial for developing a clinical decision algorithm for the early identification of vehicles with potentially major problems.
Our study has limitations inherent to retrospective analyses. Primarily, the study only included vehicles with “thickening” indications detected in scans, excluding vehicles with normal scans and those with obvious major mechanical failures identified at the initial scan. Another limitation is the broad range of vehicle types included. Finally, the limited sample size might have influenced the study outcomes.
5. Conclusion
Car scan detected “thickening,” vehicle mileage, vehicle age, and maintenance frequency were significantly different between minor and major car problem groups. Scan “thickening” and mileage can significantly contribute to vehicle diagnostics by guiding prioritization for comprehensive physical inspections in vehicles with “thickening” indications in car scans. However, further research is necessary to validate our findings and refine diagnostic protocols.
Data Availability
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
References
Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Data Availability Statement
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
