A check engine light immediately strikes fear in the hearts of some drivers, while others hope it’s nothing and ignore it. A check engine light can indicate a wide range of issues. Sometimes it turns out to be nothing serious, but in other cases, it indicates a major problem.
Modern cars have computers that control and monitor many critical functions. When a problem is detected, the computer system will attempt to correct it. If that fails, the check engine light will come on to alert the driver to the problem.
If your check engine light comes on, note the color of the light and whether it is flashing. A yellow or orange light that is continuously illuminated means that you should get the car checked out soon, but not necessarily immediately. Until the problem is fixed, your car may have reduced performance and may emit high levels of pollutants.
Sometimes a loose gas cap can trigger the check engine light. If you filled up your gas tank and the light came on shortly after, try tightening the gas cap and wait to see if the check engine light turns off.
If the check engine light is red or flashing, the problem needs to be addressed immediately. Continuing to drive the car could lead to serious damage to the engine and other components. Either slow down and pull into a garage or pull over and call a tow truck.
Sometimes other dashboard signals will come on along with the check engine light. They could indicate that the oil level is too low or that the car is overheating. If you are not sure what a light or symbol means, check your owner’s manual.
The computer will store a code that can help a mechanic figure out what is causing the problem. A vehicle owner can buy a code reader, but that might not be enough to diagnose the issue. A code doesn’t identify the specific problem, but rather points in the general direction. An experienced mechanic can figure out exactly where the problem lies. Online resources can provide assistance, but they might not be as accurate as a knowledgeable mechanic.
A check engine light may indicate a serious problem or a minor one, but it should never be ignored. If your light comes on, take your car to a mechanic, find out what is causing the problem, and get it fixed. This might interfere with your plans and cost some money you weren’t expecting to pay, but it could save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run.
If your check engine light is on, bring your car to Tire Country in Enfield, Connecticut, so we can take care of the problem and get you back on the road as soon as possible.
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