Is your check engine light on?
The dreaded check engine light. Many people get concerned when it comes on, but it’s often not always as bad as you might think. Autoguide.com has posted the “Top 10 Reasons Why Your Check Engine Light is On” article recently, which describes the most common check engine repairs.
But what does it mean?
First – don’t panic. If the yellow check engine light comes on, it is usually there as a caution to you to go have your vehicle serviced and checked out soon. However, if it is red, we recommended to stop driving immediately and contact us for the best option to proceed.
The “Check Engine” light is widely over-loaded. It could be anything from your gas cap not having a good seal, to significant faults with the various components in the engine. The only way to really know is to hook your car up to a vehicle diagnostic computer through the car’s ODBII port. The codes can be read to help identify what the underlaying issue is. If the fault is intermittent, the code will usually be stored, even if the light eventually goes out.
In the last year the most common causes of the check engine light that we have noticed are:
- Gas cap seal: If the tank doesn’t have a good seal, the car’s computer will think there is a leak in the fuel system.
- Mass Flow Air Sensor: If this sensor is faulty your car will still run, however you will notice a significant drop in your fuel economy.
- Ignition Coils and Spark Plugs: A misfire or stutter in your engine is often attributed to these, and thankfully they are typically quick and easy to fix.
We can help!
Atlantic Euro Cars is happy to help you with your vehicle service needs – including identifying and fixing the causes of that little check engine light. We use an advanced diagnostic computer that provides an amazing amount of information of what is going on inside your car. Often same day, or next day appointments are available. We will do everything we can to get you back on the road as soon as possible.
Contact us today to see how we can help!