Is Your Check Engine Light On? What You Need to Know to Stay Safe Behind the Wheel
While the vehicles of old had only a few basic warning lights, modern cars, trucks and SUVs provide their drivers with far more information. These diagnostic lights and warning sensors all have a role to play, and it is important to pay close attention to what they say.
When your vehicle illuminates one of its diagnostic lights, you need to do your homework and find out what the warning means. Some warning lights are mostly informative, while others are far more serious in nature. The check engine light, in particular, is often misunderstood by drivers, with some people ignoring it and others overreacting when it lights up.
Bring Your Vehicle to Trust Auto & Diesel Care
If your check engine light is on, the first thing you should do is call your mechanic. The expert technicians at Trust Auto & Diesel Care have the equipment needed to determine exactly what is wrong, so you will not have to guess about how serious the problem is.
Determining exactly what is causing the check engine light to illuminate requires special equipment, and you should not try to diagnose the problem on your own. There are a number of things that can cause your check engine light to turn itself on, and until you know the issue you cannot take the necessary steps to fix it.
Problems with Your Gas Tank
If you just filled up your tank and the check engine light goes on, the problem could be the fuel you just got. A small amount of moisture in the fuel or a slight impurity could cause the check engine light to come on, and as you use up the fuel, the light may turn itself off.
You can try pulling off the road, turning off the engine and turning the car back on. If the check engine light does not come back on, you should be OK. If the check engine light stays on and the car is running roughly, you should contact the gas station and report the problem.
Blinking Warning Light
If your check engine light is on steady and your car is running smoothly, you should be able to drive safely while you wait for an appointment with your mechanic. You should still contact the experts at Trust Auto & Diesel Care for a firm diagnosis, but you should be able to drive as you normally do.
If your check engine light is blinking, however, you should immediately stop your car and turn off the engine. The blinking of the check engine light means something is seriously wrong, and you could damage your vehicle further if you continue to drive. If that happens, find a safe place to stop and call Trust Auto & Diesel Care right away.