Car owners often take their vehicles for regular scheduled inspections to make sure everything is in working order. However, even if a car has been inspected and the check engine light does not come on, it might still need service.
What is the Check Engine Light and What does it Mean?
A check engine light is a warning light on many vehicles that is used to indicate a problem with the engine. The check engine light can come on for many reasons, including a malfunctioning or dirty air filter. If the check engine light is on, it is important to take action to fix the problem.
How to Fix a Check Engine Light
If you have a check engine light on your dashboard, there’s a good chance that the problem is something that can be fixed without taking your car in for service. Here are four common causes of check engine lights, and how to fix them without sending your car in:1. Defective airbag sensorIf your car has a defective airbag sensor, the light may come on when you try to start it in cold weather or after driving in rain. In this case, you can fix the issue by replacing the airbag sensor.2. Blocked fuel filterIf your car has a blocked fuel filter, the fuel pump may not be able to send enough fuel to the engine, causing the check engine light to come on. In this case, you can unblock the filter with a plunger or by using a vacuum cleaner.3. Bad spark plugsIf your spark plugs are bad, they may not produce enough electricity when the car is started. This can cause the check engine light to come on. In this case, you can replace your spark plugs or have them checked by a mechanic.4. Low oil levelIn some cases, low oil level can cause clogged up oil filters and misfiring engines.
When to Expect the Check Engine Light to Come On
If you’re like most drivers, you probably don’t think much about your car’s check engine light. But if your car has a light on, it might not be working right. And if the light comes on while your car is being inspected, it could mean trouble.
Here’s when you should expect the check engine light to come on in your vehicle:
-If the check engine light comes on after you’ve had an accident. This is because the airbag sensor may have been damaged in the accident, and this will cause the check engine light to come on.
-If your car has low gas mileage. This means that there may be something wrong with your engine and the check engine light will come on as a warning.
-If you have recently replaced any of your car’s parts, especially if they were related to the engine. This includes things like spark plugs, air filters, and fuel pumps.
-If you have any unusual symptoms, like loss of power or a difficult time starting your car.
Driving with a Check Engine Light On
If your car has a check engine light on, don’t drive it. The problem could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, but it could also be something more serious like a defective air bag. If you can’t take the time to have the car inspected, at least have it serviced to avoid the possibility of a serious problem.
Taking your car to be Inspected
When you go to take your car in for an inspection, make sure to bring the car in with the Check Engine Light on. The reason for this is that many times, if the light is on and there are no other issues with your car, the Inspector will simply just reset the light without doing anything else. However, if there are any other issues with your car, the light may need to be fixed before you can go ahead and take it in for inspection.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a car owner or just need to know for sure, checking your car’s engine light is always a good idea. Often times, when something goes wrong with your car’s engine and the light comes on, it means that there is an issue that needs to be addressed. By checking the engine light, you can get repairs done before they become major issues, saving both you and the mechanic time and money.