Sure enough, it happened again. I look down and see a menacing orange, red, or other color warning on my dashboard: my check engine light is on! What could this possibly mean? I open the hood and examine the engine. Everything looks fine, but the light won’t go away. What did I miss? What’s wrong? How do I get that ominous light to turn off?
When a check engine light is on, it could mean one of many things. First, it’s important to understand that this little light appears when anything is remotely amiss. It could be a minor problem, or something else. It could be a serious problem with your emission control system, or something as simple as the tightness of your gas cap! Before bringing your car in for a full diagnostic, tighten your gas cap to see if this will fix your check engine light. (Some vehicles keep track of pressure buildup inside the gas tank, and if the pressure deviates from a certain average–because of a loose gas cap–it registers as a problem.) Sometimes, just washing your car’s engine is enough to make the check engine light turn on. Other times, the light simply signals it’s time for routine maintenance.
If it doesn’t go away by itself, it’s a good idea to play it safe and have a pro diagnose your check engine light as soon as possible. There’s often no way to know what’s keeping it on unless you bring your vehicle to a professional for a free check engine light scan. Even if routine maintenance is necessary, keeping your car in tiptop shape today could save you hundreds in repairs down the road. If you let the professionals fix your check engine light; you’ll get piece of mind knowing your vehicle is operating safely and efficiently. Conveniently located in San Diego, the experienced mechanics at MOTEC Auto Care Clinics provide a free check engine light scanservice. Bring your car in today, and get that annoying, glowing warning off your dashboard. You’ll feel better, and so will your car!
Tags: check engine light, computer diagnostics, diagnostic testing
