Why is My Check Engine Light On?

Your check engine light on the car dashboard has come on while you're cruising around Cabot! But what does the check engine light mean, and how can you turn it off? These tips can help you determine whether your vehicle has major engine problems or just a loose gas cap.

We’ve all been there before. You’re driving along when you notice a yellow light out of the corner of your eye. A quick glance at the car dashboard confirms your fear. It’s the check engine light. If you’re like most car owners, you’re not sure if you should continue to panic or not, and you have little idea what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react.

The often misunderstood check engine light or “service engine soon” message can mean many different things. It could be a misfiring engine, a broken oxygen sensor, or simply a loose gas cap.

When you see the check engine light it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck. It does mean you should get the car checked out as soon as possible. If you ignore the warning, you could end up causing further damage. It could also be a sign that you’re getting poor fuel economy and emitting high levels of pollutants.

In any case, if the check engine light is on in your car, it’s time to schedule a service appointment. At our service center, we have factory-trained technicians who can easily check and diagnose what’s behind your check engine light message, at a cost that is nearly always lower than a private garage in Sherwood. What does the check engine light mean, and what are some ways that it can impact your car? Find out below.

• While it’s true that extreme problems like low oil pressure or an overheating engine will trigger your check engine light to come on, your dashboard has other lights and gauges on the car dashboard to warn you of serious problems, and probably soon.
• A good rule of thumb is to always read your owner’s manual and learn about the different reasons that would trigger the check engine light to come on. It should also give you a tour of the other gauge and warning indicators on your dashboard lights.
• If your check engine light is on, the first thing to do is look for a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Check your dashboard lights and gauges for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can find a safe place to do so. On some cars, a yellow “check engine” means investigate the issue, while a red “check engine” means stop right now.
• Next, try tightening your gas cap. This often solves the problem. Keep in mind that it may take several trips before the light resets. Some vehicles have a separate indicator that warns of a loose gas cap before the condition sets off the “check engine” light.
• Reduce your speed and, if possible, the weight you’re carrying. If the “check engine” light is blinking, or you notice any serious performance issues, such as a loss of power, reduce your speed and try to reduce the load on the engine. For example, it would be a good idea to stop towing a trailer. Have the car checked as soon as possible to prevent expensive damage.
• Even if you don’t notice an extreme problem, you should definitely still have the check engine code read and the problem fixed. If you want to diagnose the malfunction yourself, you can buy a scan tool at most auto parts stores. Prices range from about $40 to several hundred, depending on the model and the features. These tools will give you instructions on how to decipher the engine codes. If you don’t have the mechanical skills already to diagnose and fix the issue, it’s a more cost-effective decision to go directly to a service center.
• If your check engine light is on, and you’re in need of a diagnosis, contact Gwatney Chevrolet for a fast and cost-efficient solution for Little Rock drivers, so we can help you find out what your car is trying to tell you with what does the check engine light mean.