# Engine Diagnostics in Arlington, VA, Tab Motors Auto Repair | Exxon > Check engine light diagnostics in Arlington, VA at TAB Motors | Exxon. Real diagnosis, not guesswork, for all makes. Call (703) 243-3080. ## Business facts - **Name:** Tab Motors Auto Repair | Exxon - **Address:** 4035 Old Dominion Dr, Arlington, VA 22207 - **Phone:** (703) 243-3080 (call or text) - **Hours:** Mon–Sat 7 AM – 7 PM - **Rating:** 4.9 stars from 60+ Google reviews - **Type:** Full-service auto repair shop + Exxon station; AAA Approved Auto Repair - **Inspections:** Official Virginia State Safety Inspection & Emissions Testing station - **Service area:** Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, Alexandria, Vienna, Fairfax, Great Falls, Ballston, Clarendon, Rosslyn, Cherrydale & Washington, DC - **Perks:** Free air, free coffee, honest upfront pricing ## Engine Diagnostics A check engine light isn't a mystery to us. Our technicians read the codes, then actually diagnose the cause, so you fix the real problem, not a guess. A glowing check engine light sends most people straight to worry. At TAB Motors it's just the starting point. Reading a trouble code is easy, anyone with a $20 scanner can do it. The skill is in **diagnosis**: knowing that a "P0420" might be a catalytic converter, but might just as easily be an upstream oxygen sensor or an exhaust leak. Our technicians test to find the actual cause so you're not paying to replace parts that were never bad. ## What we diagnose - Check engine, ABS, airbag and warning lights - Misfires, rough idle and stalling - Emissions failures and "not ready" monitors - Electrical gremlins, no-starts, dead accessories, parasitic drains - Overheating, poor fuel economy and loss of power - Noises, vibrations and drivability complaints ## Honest diagnosis saves money One Arlington customer came to us after a dealer quoted "thousands of dollars" for an electrical problem, our technician Jose found the real fault quickly and fixed it for a fraction of the price. That's the whole point of a proper diagnosis: it protects you from the shotgun approach of throwing parts at a problem until something works. ## From light to fix, in one shop Once we know what's wrong, we give you an upfront price and, in most cases, fix it the same day, whether that's a sensor, an ignition [coil or spark plug](./timing-belt-ignition.html), a [cooling](./cooling-ac-service.html) component, or a [fuel system](./fuel-system-service.html) repair. If the light was standing between you and passing [emissions](./virginia-emissions-inspection.html), we'll clear that path too. ## Frequently asked questions **Why is my check engine light on?** It could be anything from a loose gas cap to a failing sensor or misfire. The only way to know is to diagnose it properly, which is exactly what we do. **Do you charge for a diagnostic?** There's a diagnostic fee that covers the time to actually find the fault (not just read a code). If you have us do the repair, we'll tell you upfront how that's handled. Call (703) 243-3080. **Is it safe to drive with the check engine light on?** If the light is steady and the car drives normally, usually short-term yes, but get it checked soon. A flashing light means stop driving; that's an active misfire that can damage the catalytic converter. **Can you diagnose foreign cars?** Yes, we work on foreign and domestic vehicles, including European makes. One of our technicians is a master on BMWs. **Will a diagnostic help me pass emissions?** Yes. If your car failed or has a warning light, we diagnose the cause so the repair gets you a pass. --- Call (703) 243-3080 or visit 4035 Old Dominion Dr, Arlington, VA 22207.