We read control units and fault codes with professional diagnostic tools, on all makes.
New Nova Umbra department
in Città della Pieve, on the border with Chiusi
Multi-brand diagnostics, servicing, brakes, clutch and timing belt, air-con and electronics. We tell you what is needed and what it costs before any work.
We explain what we found and what it costs. We only start once you say yes.
Servicing to the manufacturer's schedule, with original or matching-quality parts.
Bodywork, mechanics and glass in one place: we look after the whole car.
Dashboard warning lights
WHAT YOUR WARNING LIGHT MEANS
Tap the light you see on your dashboard: we tell you how urgent it is and what to do right away, even before you call us. Red means stop, amber means have it checked soon.
Amber · Have it checked soon
Engine light
What it means. The engine control unit has found a fault affecting the engine or emissions control: a sensor, a spark plug or coil, the lambda sensor, the EGR valve, fuel supply.
What to do now. If it is steady and the car drives normally, you can drive carefully to the workshop. If it flashes or the car loses power, slow down and stop as soon as you can: the catalytic converter may get damaged.
Message us with a photo of the dashboardRed · Stop now
Oil pressure
What it means. The engine is not being lubricated properly: oil level too low or a pump problem.
What to do now. Pull over as soon as it is safe and switch the engine off. Driving even a few kilometres can seriously damage it. If it stays on, do not drive off.
Message us with a photo of the dashboardRed · Stop now
Engine temperature
What it means. The engine is overheating: low coolant, a leak, the fan or the thermostat.
What to do now. Stop, switch off and let it cool down. Never open the radiator cap when hot: the coolant is under pressure and can burn.
Message us with a photo of the dashboardRed · Head to a workshop now
Battery and charging
What it means. The alternator is not charging the battery. The car keeps going until the battery runs flat, then it stops.
What to do now. Switch off what you don’t need (A/C, rear demister, radio) and head straight to a workshop. Avoid switching off the engine before you get there: it may not restart.
Message us with a photo of the dashboardRed · Stop
Brake system
What it means. If it is not the handbrake, it may mean low brake fluid or a fault in the system.
What to do now. Check the handbrake. If it stays on, stop safely and don’t carry on: brakes are not worth the risk.
Message us with a photo of the dashboardAmber · Have it checked soon
ABS
What it means. The anti-lock system is off. The brakes still work, but the wheels can lock under hard braking.
What to do now. Drive carefully and keep longer distances, especially in the wet. Have it checked in the next few days.
Message us with a photo of the dashboardHave it checked soon
Airbag
What it means. The airbag system or the seat belt pretensioners have a fault: in a crash they might not deploy.
What to do now. The car drives normally, but crash protection is not guaranteed. Don’t put off the check.
Message us with a photo of the dashboardAmber · Check as soon as possible
Tyre pressure
What it means. One or more tyres are below the correct pressure: underinflated or punctured.
What to do now. Check and adjust the pressure at the next petrol station. If the car pulls to one side or you hear noises, stop: it may be a puncture.
Message us with a photo of the dashboardGeneral guidance: symbols and colours vary between cars, your owner’s manual always prevails. Read more in our guide Engine warning light: what to do (in Italian).
The starting point
MULTI-BRAND ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS
Today's cars are computers on wheels: engine, gearbox, brakes and safety systems depend on dozens of control units. That's why we always start with a proper diagnosis instead of swapping parts by trial and error.
01 — Diagnostics
FAULT SCAN,
CHECKS, QUOTE.
Engine, ABS or airbag light on, loss of power, higher fuel use, hard starting: we connect the diagnostic tool, read the stored faults and check the components involved. Then we tell you what is needed, and what can wait.
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Control unit scanFault codes, live data and the status of on-board systems.
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Component checksA fault code shows where to look: we confirm the cause with tests and measurements.
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Clear quoteWhat is urgent, what can be scheduled, what it costs. You decide.
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Reset and final testAfter the repair we clear the faults and check they don't come back.
Garage services
EVERYTHING YOUR CAR NEEDS
Scheduled maintenance and mechanical and electronic repairs on all makes. If a job isn't something we do, we tell you straight away.
Servicing and maintenance
Oil, filters, spark plugs, fluids and checks at the manufacturer's intervals. Every job is recorded: your warranty stays valid outside the dealer network too.
Brakes and suspension
Pads, discs, brake fluid, shock absorbers, arms and bushes. Everything that keeps your car on the road, checked and replaced when needed.
Clutch and timing belt
Clutch and flywheel replacement, timing belt kit and water pump at the scheduled intervals: jobs better planned than suffered.
Air conditioning
System check, regas, leak detection and cabin filter replacement. Cool air in summer and clear windows in winter.
Batteries and electronics
Battery testing and replacement, starter motor, alternator, lights and electrical faults: the "tronics" in mechatronics.
Pre-inspection check
Brakes, lights, tyres, steering, suspension and emissions: we check the items tested at the periodic inspection and fix what is needed beforehand.
BODYWORK AND MECHANICS
IN THE SAME PLACE.
Radiator, suspension, sensors, wiring: in an accident the mechanics often get damaged along with the body. With the Garage we handle it all, from the claim to handover, without sending you from one workshop to another.
Bodyshop · Garage · Glass
How it works
FROM BOOKING TO HANDOVER
Three simple steps. You always know what we're doing to your car and why.
1
Book
Send us make, year and what's happening on WhatsApp (a photo of the warning light helps): we set a day.
2
Diagnosis and quote
We check the car and explain what we found and what it costs. We only go ahead with your OK.
3
Repair and test
We repair, road-test the car and hand it back with a written breakdown of the work done.
FAQ
CLEAR ANSWERS ON MECHANICS
The questions we're asked most about servicing, warning lights and maintenance. For anything else, message us on WhatsApp.
If you service my car, do I lose the manufacturer's warranty?
No. EU Regulation 461/2010 lets you have your car serviced by an independent workshop without losing the manufacturer's warranty, as long as the manufacturer's maintenance schedule is followed and original or matching-quality parts are used. That is exactly how we work, and you get a written record of every job.
My engine warning light is on: what should I do?
If the light is steady, you can usually drive carefully to the workshop, but have it checked soon. If it flashes, or the car loses power, slow down and stop as soon as it is safe: it often means a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter. Our diagnostics read the fault code stored in the control unit and we tell you what is needed before doing any work.
Which cars do you work on?
All makes. Our diagnostics are multi-brand: the tool talks to the control units of different manufacturers so we can read faults, live data and component status.
How often should the timing belt be changed?
It depends on the engine: each manufacturer sets a mileage and a time limit, whichever comes first. If you don't know when it was last changed, we check the service book and the car's history.
Do you do a check before the periodic inspection?
Yes. Before the inspection (revisione) we check the items that get tested, such as brakes, lights, tyres, suspension, steering and emissions, and fix what is needed.
After an accident, do you also handle mechanical damage?
Yes. With our bodyshop, the Garage and the Nova Umbra Glass auto glass centre we look after the whole car: panels, paint, glass and the mechanical parts damaged in the crash, with a single point of contact.
Where we are
YOUR MECHANIC ON THE UMBRIA–TUSCANY BORDER
The Garage is at Nova Umbra's premises in Località Cardete, Città della Pieve, on the border with Chiusi and a few minutes from the Chiusi-Chianciano Terme A1 exit. Easy to reach from Chiusi Scalo, Paciano, Panicale, Cetona, Sarteano and all of the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno area.
Nova Umbra Garage
WARNING LIGHT ON OR SERVICE DUE?
Send us make, year and what's happening: we'll tell you when to bring the car in and, where possible, what to expect from the very first message.