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Check Engine Light - What Is It Telling You?
About one out of 15 vehicles inspected had its 'check engine' light illuminated and this is according to some experts.
This light is one of the most vital components to a properly functioning vehicle. It alerts the driver to a variety of potential problems based on the vehicle's on-board diagnostic system.
Even if your vehicle appears to be running normally, when the check engine light comes on, then it means that a system in your vehicle such as ignition, fuel injection, or even emission control is not operating at peak performance.
If there is a glowing read engine light, this doesn't mean that you must pull over to the side of the road immediately but you should get the car checked as soon as you can. Ignoring the warning light could severely damage engine components and incur additional repair expenses.
If your check engine light comes on, first check the gas cap to make sure it wasn't left loose after refueling. The light can sometimes be triggered because of this. If the cap was loose, then after a few short trips the light should go out.
If the light remains on, have the system checked out as soon as possible. When a light flashes, then this would indicate a more severe condition that should be checked out immediately to prevent damage to the catalytic converter. Upon experiencing a flashlight light, then you should minimize driving at high speeds or under heavy loads.
Make sure the automotive shop that diagnoses your car has professional technicians who are properly certified for OBD II (on-board diagnostic systems) diagnosis and repair when you schedule a service. A 'trouble' code which will indicate why the light was activated will be provided when the technician connects your vehicle's computer to a diagnostic computer.
The idle speed, throttle response, engine temperature, fuel system pressure, manifold vacuum, exhaust emission levels and many other key indicators are the things the technician can check while the diagnostic computer is connected to your car.
Your car's computer makes sure that everything is back to normal once the problem is diagnosed and fixed and then turns off the check engine light.
Reading your vehicle owner's manual as well as familiarizing yourself with the purpose of the check engine light and every other gauge and warning indicator on your dashboard is therefore recommended.
This light is one of the most vital components to a properly functioning vehicle. It alerts the driver to a variety of potential problems based on the vehicle's on-board diagnostic system.
Even if your vehicle appears to be running normally, when the check engine light comes on, then it means that a system in your vehicle such as ignition, fuel injection, or even emission control is not operating at peak performance.
If there is a glowing read engine light, this doesn't mean that you must pull over to the side of the road immediately but you should get the car checked as soon as you can. Ignoring the warning light could severely damage engine components and incur additional repair expenses.
If your check engine light comes on, first check the gas cap to make sure it wasn't left loose after refueling. The light can sometimes be triggered because of this. If the cap was loose, then after a few short trips the light should go out.
If the light remains on, have the system checked out as soon as possible. When a light flashes, then this would indicate a more severe condition that should be checked out immediately to prevent damage to the catalytic converter. Upon experiencing a flashlight light, then you should minimize driving at high speeds or under heavy loads.
Make sure the automotive shop that diagnoses your car has professional technicians who are properly certified for OBD II (on-board diagnostic systems) diagnosis and repair when you schedule a service. A 'trouble' code which will indicate why the light was activated will be provided when the technician connects your vehicle's computer to a diagnostic computer.
The idle speed, throttle response, engine temperature, fuel system pressure, manifold vacuum, exhaust emission levels and many other key indicators are the things the technician can check while the diagnostic computer is connected to your car.
Your car's computer makes sure that everything is back to normal once the problem is diagnosed and fixed and then turns off the check engine light.
Reading your vehicle owner's manual as well as familiarizing yourself with the purpose of the check engine light and every other gauge and warning indicator on your dashboard is therefore recommended.