We\’ve all seen it happen but are never quite sure what we should be doing next. Check out our guide on what to do when your check engine light turns on.
We all know that scene from the Big Bang Theory. Penny and Sheldon are in the car and her check engine light is showing. To us watching the episode, it is funny. In fact, the scene is downright hilarious!
Yet it does raise some serious questions about us and the way we maintain our cars.
How many of you reading this know what the different lights on your dashboard mean? Those of you that do, do you know how to react when one of them comes on?
Read on as we take a look at what you need to do when the engine light starts flashing.
The Check Engine Light is Not a Huge Issue
For many of us, seeing a light flash comes as quite a shock. Yet, it may surprise you to learn that in spite of its formidable name, it\’s often not that serious.
That\’s right. The check engine warning is usually, a rather simple issue that can be fixed relatively swiftly!
The most common culprit? The gas cap.
A lot of the time, it\’s something as simple as a loose fitting gas cap. Because it is not fully sealed off, your car will alert you that there\’s a problem with the engine.
However, other causes will require assistance.
While not every cause is a serious issue, the majority of them will require special assistance. This is because the technology in cars has gotten so sophisticated that you cannot just see what the issue is.
That is why the check engine light is such a common sight on our dashboards. It would not be possible to have a light for every single possible issue. Your dashboard would end up looking like the cockpit of a commercial jet!
No Immediate Rush, But Call a Mechanic
What happens to your engine may be nothing more than magic and mystery to you, but for diagnostics, every problem that happens has a code to match.
When something doesn\’t function properly, the OBC records the error and logs the relevant malfunction code. This code is stored on a computer and accessed with the correct tool. This will show you and a professional what caused your check engine light to come on.
While there may be no immediate rush for things, you will have to take your car to a trusted and certified mechanic. They will be able to access the error codes, diagnose and then repair the problem for you.
Other common causes would be damage to the:
•Mass Airflow Sensor
•Catalytic Convertor
•Spark Plugs
•Oxygen Sensor
Fixing your Check Engine Light Doesn\’t Have to Be Expensive
While calling a mechanic will most likely incur a cost, in general, fixing the check engine like is a simple and relatively inexpensive process.
There are plenty of good mechanics out there who can get your car back up and running in no time flat!
So stop ignoring your check engine light and get in touch today to have your car running like a dream again.