If your check engine light is on or flashing, it means there’s something wrong with one of your car’s components. This could be anything from a faulty battery to a broken exhaust system. Fortunately, there are ways you can handle the situation before it runs amok. Here are three reasons why you should never overlook your check engine light.
There’s a System Malfunction
The check engine light indicates that you’re up for mechanical maintenance soon. Issues could range from a loose fuel cap to a malfunctioning spark plug. If the light is flashing, this typically indicates a more serious issue, such as a worn catalytic converter. In this case, you’ll want to pull over to a shoulder and have your car towed to a repair shop. There you can get a diagnostic scan from a mechanic to identify the issue and determine its seriousness.
You Need to Know Which Part Is Faulty
The check engine light alerts you to a pending mechanical issue, but it doesn’t tell you exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle. This is where a mechanic certified in dealing with onboard diagnostics (OBD) comes in handy. They’ll hook your vehicle up to a diagnostic tool that scans for issues in areas such as the engine temperature, exhaust emission levels, and throttle response. Your mechanic will then see one or more error codes, indicating which areas need attention. From there, they can perform additional testing to narrow down the list of failing components.
You can also research and buy a diagnostic scan tool online. This is a great way to test your vehicle’s systems before a mechanical issue gets out of hand. You can easily scan and clear error codes (assuming the problems are minor) or at least feel more confident before you take your car to a repair shop.
You’ll Be Worse Off Without an Inspection
Taking your vehicle’s performance for granted is a big no-no when it comes to your engine and other vital vehicle components. Not only will you have to pay more later on due to extended damage from putting off maintenance, but you’ll also have to deal with a few additional setbacks.
If the issue lies with the exhaust system, you could face declining fuel efficiency and greater emission output. If battery or ignition problems are at play, your vehicle could unexpectedly stall in the middle of the road. And there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to pull out of traffic before then, putting you and your passengers’ safety at risk. Another downfall is taking your vehicle in for an inspection only to fail the test because of an activated check engine light. Nobody wants that, right?
Remember that your vehicle’s check engine light isn’t there for decoration. Give it the proper attention it deserves so you don’t end up with an unexpected breakdown. Paying close mind to your car’s health, including having one of the qualified technicians at Jeff Belzer’s check your error codes, could help reduce your risk of having to deal with extensive and costly repairs later on.
“enginelightsticker” via Flickr by Twelvizm. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
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