When the “Check Engine” lights up on your dashboard, there's no need to panic. First, however, you should verify a few key things to establish why it’s on and what to do about it. If it does not turn off after the following suggestions, contact your local mechanic and schedule an appointment.
If you have an extra vehicle, we recommend using that until you’ve determined why. In the meantime, check the rest of the dashboard for any other lights or indications of serious issues, such as low oil (which is a separate light/sensor altogether) or that the vehicle is overheating.
Here are five of the most common reasons the check engine light is on and what you can do about it.
A solid check engine light almost always indicates a more minor issue. If the check engine light is flashing, something more serious is probably going on. Review your owner’s manual or contact your local mechanic to check-in. If you’re out of town, pull into a service station or local dealership before something more serious happens. The sooner you fix or repair a serious problem, the less likely you will break down or experience more serious and costly repair issues.
Some cars also have differentiated colors to indicate how serious the issue is. For example, a yellow check engine light is less critical (such as a loose gas cap), whereas an orange or red light indicates a more critical warning.
Sometimes, a loose, misaligned, or faulty seal on the gas cap triggers the check engine light on. This is a good thing because, in addition to making it easier for others to siphon gas from your vehicle (something more prevalent as gas prices continue to escalate), your fuel evaporates more quickly, diminishing air quality and our planet’s protective ozone layer. Turn your car off and check the gas cap. Unscrew it or unlock it and then put it back on correctly. This will save you money on gas and keep toxic gasoline fumes from entering the atmosphere.
In many cases, the check engine light will turn off within the next few times you turn your car on and off again.
Spark plugs create combustion that powers your engine’s cylinder by regulating a mixture of fuel and oxygen from the air. Over time, they become worn and need to be replaced. Many cars have sensors that activate when spark plugs are worn, resulting in a check engine coming on.
Checking the spark plugs is a routine part of car maintenance appointments, so worn spark plugs may mean you’ve been lax in scheduling those appointments or that some other mechanical issue is causing them to wear out more quickly. Fortunately, replacing spark plugs is an easy fix.
As previously mentioned, a loose or misaligned gas cap triggers the engine light because it violates California emissions regulations. Other issues with equipment related to emission also trigger the check engine light on. These include any mechanical failings with the catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation system, evaporative emissions system, and a wide range of other parts/systems designed to reduce harmful fuel emissions.
Both the federal and CA state governments get stricter and stricter as time goes on, so every part of a vehicle’s emission system has sensors that report failings to the central computer system.
Similarly, sensors will pick up any issues, problems, or inefficient functions with electronic powertrain controls, including various modules and sensors. These modules are in continuous communication with one another through the vehicle's complex data network. Sensors read if there are miscommunications or malfunctions, causing illumination of the check engine light.
NOTE: Low oil levels do not trigger the check engine light for most cars. Make sure to check oil levels regularly and change/refill your oil as per the manufacturer’s instructions, to prevent serious mechanical engines.
Other issues that can cause a check engine light to come on include issues with the ignition system, air/fuel delivery system, and so on. You’re safe to drive with the check engine light on in most cases. However, it’s important to determine why as soon as possible because the light came on for a reason.
Pay attention to how the car functions. Do you hear any strange or unusual sounds? Is it driving smoothly? Or do you notice a surge and delay when accelerating or cruising at the same speed? We recommend getting your car to the garage ASAP if you notice anything abnormal. Otherwise, check the gas cap and see if that helps.
If the light stays on, contact your mechanic and schedule an appointment. They quickly connect your car’s computer system to theirs, which provides immediate diagnostic information. With that, you can determine which concerns require immediate attention and which can be scheduled in the near future.
As always, J&T Towing wishes you safe travels here in the Bay Area and beyond. Are you in need of immediate roadside assistance or towing? Give us a call at (707) 356-4613.
