The Car’s Check Engine Light is On: What It Means and What to Do About It
Looks like it’s time to visit the shop.
The check engine light is something that all vehicle owners dread. It usually signifies that you need to take your vehicle into the shop to be checked over by a mechanic. The computer in your vehicle is alerting you to a potential problem affecting the engine, fuel system, or emissions system. Whatever the reason is, putting off getting the cause diagnosed and fixed will most likely end up causing a more costly repair.
Check engine light troubleshooting can be done quickly by an experienced technician. Most service centers will diagnose the check engine light cause for free, and it only takes a few minutes to read the code. Sometimes a mechanic will be able to find the problem by just connecting a code reader to the service port inside the car. Other times, it may require some time to check through the possibilities.
Causes of the check engine light could be fuel system related. A problem with your fuel injectors or spark plugs can cause the computer to throw an error code, which will make the check engine light come on. Another cause can be a problem with the exhaust system on your vehicle.
If the check engine light is blinking or, in some cars, red, you should pull over immediately and call a tow truck to take your vehicle in for maintenance.
Munich West provides quality service for the Atlanta metro and surrounding areas, including check engine light troubleshooting. Contact us for more information regarding vehicle maintenance.
Image Source: Robert Couse-Baker
