What signals does your check engine light convey?
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.