Everyone that’s owned a car knows the woeful feeling of looking at your dashboard and seeing your check engine light turn on. It’s likely that the possibilities of what the issue could be are racing through your head. The problem could be as small as an oil issue, or something more severe like an engine malfunction. Regardless of the reason, it is imperative that you take your vehicle in to a trusted auto repair shop to get it diagnosed. Ignoring it could result in a much more larger and expensive problem down the road.
Origins of the Check Engine Light
Prior to being labeled as the check engine light, this dashboard alert used to be known as the malfunction indicator lamp. Defined as a signal from the vehicle’s engine computer that something is not right. Typically, the light will be red, yellow, or orange dependent on the manufacturer. A flashing light signifies that a significant issue is arising and that the vehicle shouldn’t be driven too much longer in the current condition that it’s in.
My Check Engine Light Turned On, What Now?
Check Engine Light problems are time sensitive and should not be put off until the last minute. Most people wait until the last minute to get their car serviced but rest assured that this will only damage your vehicle even further. The issue could be as minor as oil change, but ignoring it can lead to costly engine repairs.
Listed below, are some tips on how to go address your check engine issues:
- Check to see if the problem is high-priority
– If so, do not continue driving and hope that everything is going to be okay. Park your car on the side of the road and turn off your vehicle.
- Take the stress off your engine
– If you’re putting your vehicle under major stress by driving too fast or carrying more weight than your vehicle can handle, it’s likely that your engine is trying to over-compensate which is causing the light to go off.
- Make sure your gas can is tightened
– Some check engine light goes off simply because the gas cap is loose.
- Get your vehicle diagnosed
– If you aren’t certain on what’s causing your vehicle’s check engine light to come on, it’s better to be safe than sorry and take it in to a certified mechanic. Some of the newer makes have the ability to self-diagnose themselves to let you know what needs to be serviced.
Call Us For All Your Auto Diagnostics Today!
Don’t put your vehicle’s life or performance on the line. Our diagnostics experts are trained to get to the source of the issue in a quick and efficient manner. Call to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic inspection today and give yourself one less thing to worry about!
