Few things can grab a car owner’s full attention like the check engine light can. MotivWerks knows how jarring that can be, but there are some things you really should know about the check engine light.
Something Is Wrong
The big thing to always remember when you’re seeing the check engine light is that it means that something is wrong somewhere. You might not know what that is right away, but your car’s onboard computer is letting you know that there is a problem. That problem might be a really small one right now, but eventually it’s going to cause big problems with your car’s engine.
Check Easy Stuff First
Like any troubleshooting, it’s important to rule out the super simple stuff first. Are there any other warning lights showing on your dashboard? If there are, that’s your biggest clue about what’s wrong. Addressing those situations can resolve whatever it is that set off the check engine light. Another example of a small issue can be a loose gas cap. That’s also one that is really easy for you to fix on your own.
Look at What Other Choices You’re Making
Have you changed anything about your normal driving habits? For instance, you might be towing something or you might have your car loaded down with some stuff that’s a lot heavier than usual. Those unusual decisions can be straining your car’s transmission or engine to such an extent that the check engine light is letting you know to look closer at what’s going on.
Don’t Wait to Get This Resolved
The bottom line is that if you’re not doing anything different and small answers don’t seem to resolve the issue, you really can’t wait. The check engine light is there to get your attention and to make sure that you seek out help as soon as possible. If you wait, you run the risk of the problem becoming much larger. That can even lead to something as severe as catastrophic engine failure, and that is not an easy repair at all.
Take a deep breath if you’re seeing your car’s check engine light. MotivWerks in Chambersburg, PA can run full diagnostic testing on your car and help you to understand what’s going on. Whether the problem is a simple fix or one that is much more complex, we’ll make sure you have the information that you need in order to take the best possible care of your car.