What Does Your Check Engine Light Mean?

Common Reasons Why It's On & What to Do About It.

You are driving along the freeway minding your own business when all of a sudden, your check engine light comes on. When your check engine light comes on, it can be a scary and confusing experience. You're not sure what it means, but you know it can't be good. So, what does your check engine light mean and what should you do about it?

We will discuss the most common reasons why your check engine light comes on, and what you can do to fix the problem. 

What Does Your Check Engine Light Mean

The check engine light is a warning light that comes on when your car's computer detects an issue with the engine or emissions control system. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, or it could be something more serious like a misfire.

When your check engine light comes on, it's important to take action right away and have the problem diagnosed and repaired. Ignoring the problem could lead to more serious engine damage, and it could also cause your car to fail an emissions test.

Common Reasons Why Your Check Engine Light Is On

There are many different reasons why your check engine light may be on. We will discuss the most common reasons below:

• A loose or missing gas cap: A loose or missing gas cap is one of the most common reasons why your check engine light comes on. The gas cap is responsible for sealing the fuel system and keeping fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. If it's not tightly sealed, those vapors can escape and trigger the check engine light.

• Faulty oxygen sensor: The oxygen sensor is responsible for monitoring the level of oxygen in the exhaust. If it detects that the level of oxygen is too high or too low, it will trigger the check engine light.

• Catalytic converter issues: The catalytic converter is an emissions control device that helps to reduce pollution. If it becomes damaged or clogged, it can trigger the check engine light.

• Misfire: A misfire occurs when the engine is not firing on all cylinders. This can be caused by a number of things, such as a spark plug that has gone bad or a fuel injector that is not working properly.

What to do When Your "Check Engine" Light Comes On

Now that we've discussed some of the most common reasons why your check engine light may be on, let's talk about what you should do when it happens.

First, you need do some troubleshooting to try to identify the problem. If you know what the problem is, you may be able to fix it yourself. However, if you're not sure what the problem is, or if you can't fix it yourself, you'll need to take your car to a mechanic or dealership for diagnosis and repair.

Once you've taken your car to a mechanic or dealership, they will use a diagnostic tool to figure out what is wrong with your car. Once they know what the problem is, they can fix it and reset the check engine light.

If your check engine light is on and you'd like a mobile mechanic to come out and diagnose the problem, give us a call and we will come to you! We know how inconvenient it can be when your car breaks down, and we want to make the diagnosis and repair process as easy for you as possible.