How often have you come across the check engine light with a fear of something going wrong? The check engine light is also known as Malfunction Indicator Lamp which gives out a signal that something is wrong with the car. It is a signal from the car’s engine and the problem can be diagnosed with ease. This light could also mean that there is a problem in the car which is going to cost you money. The problem could be minor like a loose gas cap or could be something major like a bad catalytic converter. However, it means you will have to visit the car dealer in order to detect the problem and to get the light turned off. The car dealer can turn off the light with ease but this does not mean that the problem has been resolved. You can get rid of the engine light but you cannot get rid of the problem existing in your car. In most cases, the light will simply come back on later.

There have been many instances where the drivers confused the service required light with a Check Engine Light. These two are warning lights but both of them are unrelated. The service light does not mean trouble, it is a warning light which means that the car is due for a service, and this could be a routine maintenance service of the car. Check Engine Light is an indicator of trouble. It comes in yellow, amber or orange and varies according to the manufacturer. If the Check Engine Light begins flashing, it means there is a serious problem in the car. It could be something like a misfire which can overheat the catalytic converter.

Never make the mistake of ignoring the Check Engine Light

It is extremely important to not ignore the light. Even if the light comes on steady or is flashing, you need to get the engine checked with a technician. Do not delay the process and never ignore the signal. Many people ignore the signs and do nothing about it in order to avoid an expensive repair bill. There are also some drivers who want to squeeze out all the miles possible without visiting a service station. But they need to get the light turned off. If the light is on, it means there is an internal problem in the car. A lot of cars on the road have the light on and the drivers tend to ignore it for a very long period of time. The emission control system and the engine are interlinked which means that the health of the emission control system is a good indicator of the general health of the engine of the car. It is very important to promptly address the problems that are indicated by the light. Ignoring it could lead to trouble and generate a higher repair bill in the future. Every driver should understand the risks associated with driving a car with faults, it could put the life of the driver and the passengers in trouble.

The first thing to check is whether the gas cap is loose. It is a common cause and a loose cap reports a leak into the vapor recovery system which is a part of the emission system of the car. When the light goes on, the driver should check the gas cap and tighten it if it is loose. It will take some time for the light to go off but the driver can continue driving. It is not a wise step to check the gas cap and continue driving, there could be another problem which is persistent in the car and it could be causing trouble. If the light is on again, you need to visit a technician since the problem has not been resolved. Sometimes when your Check Engine light illuminates, it could be due to a temporary problem like a change in humidity. Some of the most common reasons behind the illumination of the light include 02 sensors, loose gas cap, mass air flow sensor, and catalytic converter and spark plug wires. The repair costs of each one may vary according to the manufacturer and the technician who is handling the repairs.

Visit an expert technician to resolve the issue at the earliest

Many times, people end up calling a technician because they are not aware of the light which is on; it could be maintenance light and the driver panics considering it to be an engine light. The sensors in the vehicle constantly test the systems for proper function and if any problem occurs, the light comes on. You should never believe that the computer in your vehicle will diagnose the fault in the car; you need to visit a technician and see what is wrong with the car. They will use the latest tools and technology to determine what could be wrong and will try to fix the issue. If the check lights are on, it does not mean that you will end up with a huge repair bill. It could be a minor issue as well. It does not make sense to delay the repairs of the car solely because you do not want to end up with any repair bills, it could be huge trouble in the future. The check engine light is like a symptom in your body which indicates that something is wrong and requires attention. If you fail to get it resolved, the system could fail and cause you trouble. There is nothing worse than ignoring the signs given by the engine of the car. There are a number of tools which help detect the problem within no time and offer a quick solution to the same. The technicians are also trained to diagnose the problem and resolve it at the earliest. Your vehicle will be working within no time. Consider the check engine light as a warning sign given by the engine.

If you experience having a car breakdown in the middle of your trip, it can be expensive getting it to a mechanic. But if you have purchased an extended auto warranty, the policy can protect you from incurring such additional burdens or you can have the cost reimbursed by the warranty provider.

While companies like Liberty Automotive Protection require a policyholder just a simple call, others have to undergo a tedious processing.  And in such instances when you have to shoulder the amount of the repair up front, filing for claims from the warranty company can help get your money back.

For a smooth claim processing, getting the approval of the warranty provider is the initial step. Making a phone call and informing the policy provider about the car’s condition and where you are taking it is usually where everyone fails.  A simple call to the service provider helps them become aware of the services you opt to receive and whether the service technician is a qualifying partner.

Additionally, the warranty provider may have had inspected your vehicle before they sold you the coverage. A pre-existing condition nullifies the services you got if it happens to be from a condition that has already existed before the car broke down. It is also important for a car owner to remember that a warranty provider cannot reject your claims if they happened to have approved your contract because they have inspected and approved your vehicle for the extended warranty coverage prior to the problem happening.

Documentation is also an important part of filing claims. This means you have to gather paper works including the policy documentation, repair bill estimates and quotes, and some other pertinent information needed to process your claims. If you happen to get approved for the repair on the spot, the mechanic or service technician will be paid directly by the warranty provider using a corporate credit card and you do not have to wait for a reimbursement when filing for claims.

But if it goes the other way around, you need to directly provide the company with the needed documentation in order for you to receive your money back. Most repair facilities accept an extended auto warranty protection and you won’t run into a problem taking your vehicle to them. But just in case the technicians won’t accept your coverage, a simple phone call to the warranty provider can help you get the services you need.

As a car owner, it is also important to remember that while you are covered from breakdowns, negligence is also a reason for being disqualified for a claim. Damages due to neglect will not qualify you for a claim in case something bad happens. You need to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guide to avert untoward incidents from happening. Maintenance is also sometimes covered by your policy and you do not have to pay for any additional services when going to a partnering facility.

Filing for claims may be a little hard, but if you do your part and your vehicle qualifies for reimbursement, warranty providers will honor your claims. Liberty Automotive Protection has simplified this with just a phone call prior to your trip to the mechanic so you do not have to wait for reimbursements.