The Check Engine Light and Your Car

I remember the first time my check engine light came on. It brought the fear of an eminent car failure with flames and smoke. My mind was telling me the end was near. Yes I was a little panicky and wondering if I should call a tow truck. I have since learned that is usually not the case.

The Check Engine Light

In most cases, when your check engine light comes on, there’s no reason for alarm. Be concerned, but don’t panic. It’s a common problem and often indicates something minor. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap however more typically, there may be an issue with your emissions.

While your car won’t pass an emissions inspection if the check engine light is on, this won’t cause your car to stop running. In fact, it’s very rare that the check engine light signals an actual engine problem that will cause you to break down. So unless the light is flashing or you notice other signs of an engine problem, such as your car running sloppily or making unusual noises you do not need to stop your car. Just call us to make an appointment to come in soon. We will run a scan to determine what caused the light to come on.

Yellow vs. Red Indicator Lights

An easy way to remember which lights indicate the most severe problems is by color. Just remember that yellow means caution and red means stop. Since your check engine light illuminates in yellow, you should use caution, but don’t get alarmed unless you notice other problems with your car.

On the other hand, an indicator light that illuminates in red is a warning that there’s a problem that needs immediate attention. Some typical indicator lights that illuminate or flash red include brake, temperature and oil indicator lights. When these lights illuminate or flash red, you should pull the car off as soon as you can find a place out of harm’s way, and stop the car. Then immediately call us.

Here are some problems that the indicator lights could signal when they illuminate red:

• Temperature - Your car could be overheating and there’s the potential to fry your engine.
• Oil - Your car might have low oil pressure, which can cause your engine to throw a rod bearing or worse.
• Brakes - Your brakes may not be working properly.
• Battery – There could be an issue, such as an alternator malfunction, that could lead to a dead battery. The alternator is the component that keeps the battery charged and supplies voltage for other systems while the engine is running.

Don't forget about our other shop Atlanta Hybrid Repair. AHR is equipped to handle all your Toyota and Lexus service needs. AHR is smaller so often it's easier to get an appointment. Gas powered and hybrids are welcome. Located at 5630 Peachtree Blvd. 1 mile away from the main shop across the street from Wendy’s and the Kia dealership. Call for appointment at 770-492-7437

Regular preventive maintenance is the best single thing you can do as a car owner to keep your car running safer, longer and save money on major repairs in the future.

What is Your Check Engine Light Telling You ?

One of the most vital components to a properly functioning vehicle is the ‘Check Engine’ light. It alerts the driver to a variety of potential problems based on the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system. When the ‘Check Engine’ light comes on, it means that some system in your vehicle, including ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating at peak performance, even if your vehicle appears to you to be running normally.

A glowing ‘Check Engine’ light doesn't mean you have to immediately pull the car over to the side of the road, but it does mean you should get the car checked out as soon as possible. Ignoring the warning light could severely damage engine components and incur additional repair expenses.

If your ‘Check Engine’ light comes on, first check the gas cap to make sure it wasn’t left loose after refueling. Sometimes this can trigger the ‘Check Engine’ light. If the cap was loose, the light should go out after a few short trips.

If the gas cap wasn’t the problem and the light remains on steady, have the system checked out as soon as possible. A light that flashes requires more prompt attention, indicating a more severe condition that must be checked out immediately to prevent damage to the catalytic converter. When you experience a flashing light, minimize driving at high speeds or under heavy loads.

Our Technician will connect your vehicle's computer to a diagnostic computer, which will provide a “trouble” code indicating why the ‘Check Engine’ light was activated.

While the diagnostic computer is connected to your car, our Technician can check the idle speed, throttle response, engine temperature, fuel system pressure, manifold vacuum, exhaust emission levels and many other key indicators. Once the problem is diagnosed and fixed, your car's computer makes sure everything is back to normal, and then turns off the ‘Check Engine’ light.