What to do when your check engine light comes on?
When the dreaded Check Engine Light (CEL) comes on, it can cause a moment of panic in anyone. It happens to millions of drivers every year. However, it doesn’t always require a visit to the workshop.
Whether your check engine light is on now or you want to know what to do in the future, read on to find out what this light means and what you should do. It could be as simple as a loose gas cap.
What does the “check engine light” mean?
It’s the old joke of opening the hood to see if the engine is still running, but it’s important to actually know what the check engine light means. When your vehicle’s check engine light comes on, it means that one of the engine parameters is different than it should be.
Your vehicle uses a variety of sensors to detect all that is going on. If any of these measurements are different than what your vehicle’s computer says, the check engine light will come on. Keep in mind that there are two types of check engine lights: a solid light means that the condition is not too serious, and a flashing check engine light means that you should stop driving immediately.
What should I do if the check engine light comes on?
Every check engine light has an underlying diagnostic trouble code, and the only way to find out what needs to be done is to read the code (or have someone read it for you) using an OBD2 diagnostic tool. The good news is that auto parts stores like AutoZone will read the codes for you for free.
However, keep in mind that they will often print a message recommending a part to replace, which may or may not fix the problem. These stores make a profit by selling parts, even if they are not the best option for your car.
Instead, we recommend that you check your engine codes here. They are more likely to have a perfect guide that details everything you need to know.
If you are not very handy and think you cannot solve the problem yourself, it is of course fine to make an appointment with a repair shop and take your vehicle there. Most Common Causes of the Check Engine Light Turning On
There are hundreds of possible reasons why the check engine light may come on, but some causes are more common than others. With that in mind, here are the 5 most common reasons why the check engine light comes on.
1) Loose Gas Cap
If you recently filled up your car with gas and the check engine light came on, the problem may simply be a loose or broken gas cap. The good news is that this is a very easy fix. So make sure you put your gas cap back on, or try tightening it a bit.
2) Faulty Oxygen Sensor
Oxygen sensors typically have a lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 miles, and when they wear out, they will turn on your vehicle’s check engine light. Keep in mind that when replacing oxygen sensors, it’s always best to replace them all at the same time.
3) Bad Spark Plugs
Spark plugs don’t last forever. Most spark plugs last less than 60,000 miles and are a consumable item. So it’s only a matter of time before you need to replace them. However, you can get a higher quality spark plug next time to last a little longer.
Even if you find that the spark plugs aren’t the culprit, it’s still a good idea to check their condition, as one or more of them could burn out quickly.
4) Defective/Missing Catalytic Converter
Newer vehicles have much better catalytic converters, but many older vehicles still only last around 100,000 miles. Newer vehicles have twice the catalytic converter lifespan, but it’s only a matter of time before the catalytic converter needs replacing.
If you’ve been the unfortunate victim of catalytic converter theft, your check engine light will also come on. You may be able to drive without a catalytic converter, but a check engine light is just one of the consequences.
5) Dirty or Damaged Mass Air Flow Sensor
The mass air flow sensor (MAF) is also a consumable item, and if your vehicle has around 100,000 miles on it, it’s likely that the mass air flow sensor needs replacing. Fortunately, most MAF sensors are relatively inexpensive and easy for most people to replace themselves.
If your car is running normally, should you ignore the check engine light? No! Just because you can’t hear or feel anything doesn’t mean everything is working properly. The check engine light is telling you that there is a problem, and ignoring the problem will only make it worse.
So, even though you may not be able to feel or hear the problem now, there’s a good chance you’ll notice a problem in the future if you ignore it. And not only will you feel it in the future, but if the damage spreads, repairs could be much more expensive. Fixing it now will save you a lot of time and money compared to ignoring the problem and hoping it will resolve on its own.
Will the check engine light eventually go off on its own? While it is technically possible for the check engine light to come on on its own, it is very rare. This is because the check engine light can only go off if the underlying condition is no longer occurring.
While this can happen, unless you do something to fix it, then it’s highly unlikely for the light to go away all by itself. And sure, you can simply clear or reset the check engine light, but if you didn’t actually fix the cause, expect that light to come back on in the near future in the majority of cases.
Diagnosing the Issue
The first step to diagnosing any check engine light is to figure out the underlying code. You should start by taking your vehicle to an automotive repair shop and see what the code is. If you have a code reader (it’s a great investment as one use will often pay for itself), you can save time by finding it yourself.
Once you know what the stored code is, reset the code and drive your vehicle around a bit to see if it comes back.
If it does, go ahead and check our site for the corresponding code and follow the directions we’ve outlined. If you can’t find the code it’s probably because it’s a less common one., although you will need to do a bit more research on where to start or take your vehicle to a professional repair shop.
Preventive Measures and Maintenance
The best thing you can do about a check engine light is keep one from coming up in the first place. To do this, you need to keep up with preventative maintenance actions like oil changes, transmission flushes, and more.
Don’t rely on the dealer to tell you what to do though, take a look at the vehicle’s owner’s manual for the recommended scheduled maintenance actions. Spending a little more upfront to complete all these tasks can save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run, and they can help you keep your vehicle on the road longer.