Terry’s Auto Shop: What to Do When Your Check Engine Light Comes On
The auto experts at Terry’s Auto Shop share some wisdom on what the check engine light means and what you should do when it appears.
Terry's Auto Shop explains what the check engine light means and what you should do if it comes on. Learn more about how to handle this situation here now.
For a lot of people, seeing the check engine light turn on is something of a dreaded experience. First there’s the uncertainty of what the problem is, then there’s the question of how much the problem could cost. At the very least, a trip to the car dealer or auto shop is probably in your future. And not every auto shop is as consumer friendly as Terry’s Auto Service and Towing.
In order to make the process easier, however as well as to better educate you on what the check engine light entails, the auto experts at Terry’s Auto Service and Towing have identified what the light means, and what you should do if you encounter the problem.
What does the check engine light mean?
The check engine light, in a simplistic sense, is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong. The auto shop or car dealer can typically survey and diagnose the problem for around $75, according to Edmunds.com. If the light is steady (not blinking on and off) this means the problem is, in all likelihood, not an emergency, but rather a small leak or a loose gas cap. However, if the light is blinking, you should take the car into an auto shop immediately. This suggests that your car is experiencing a problem of a more severe magnitude.
Your check engine light is on. Is there an actual problem?
Before going to the auto shop you should do two things to make sure the issue with your check engine light is real: wait a few days and check the gas cap. Sometimes the check engine light will turn on for no real reason – weatherly elements like humidity, playing a factor – and if this is the case it will turn itself off within a few days. Also, one of the most common issues for the check engine light to turn on is a loose gas cap, as the loose cap sends a message to the car’s computer indicating an error. Make sure your cap is screwed on tightly and reevaluate the light, in order to assure that this is not the problem.
Now that you’ve established a problem, what do you do next?
What you don’t want to do is ignore the problem altogether. Many people see the light and assume the problem isn’t serious (even after you eliminate the two possibilities above), or just don’t want to spend any money on repairs. However, ignoring the light could lead to further problems, which could – in turn – cost you more money, or drastically shorten the lifespan on your vehicle. Not only that, but if the check engine light is on your car can’t pass a state inspection.
In most cases, for as much as some people don’t want to hear it, you should see a car dealer or auto shop. They’ll not only be able to pinpoint the problem, but they’ll be able to fix it as well.
Bring your car into Terry’s Auto Shop.
At one point or another, a lot of us will see the check engine light appear on the dash. But it doesn’t have to be a traumatizing experience. By utilizing the information above, you should be able to handle any check engine light problem that comes your way with the help of Terry’s Auto. If your check engine light comes in, bring your car into our auto shop for friendly service and affordable repairs.
Browse our website for more information about what your check engine light could entail, or come by the auto shop at Terry’s Auto Service and Towing to see what kind of roadside assistance or car towing we can offer you!
(Information retrieved from Edmunds.com)
