Depending on the type of person you are, your check engine light coming on might spike your anxiety or just make you chuckle. A check engine light is probably one of the most vague warnings that a person ever gets in their vehicle. In cars of all ages, this warning seemingly comes on for no reason whatsoever. However, this light can also signify that there's a serious problem with your vehicle. While we'd always recommend getting your car checked out by a professional mechanic, let's talk about what this light can mean.
What Should I Do First?
The most obvious conclusion one might have when they see their engine light come on is that there's a problem with the engine. However, what type of problem is it, and how serious can it be? Well, the first thing you should do is take stock of your vehicle when you notice this light. Are you hearing any unusual noises when driving or idling? Even if they're very faint and barely noticeable, any new noise could be a sign that something isn't working light. Also be on the lookout for most obvious visual indicators such as smoke. Black smoke -- run. White smoke -- still run.
Engine Issues
If your vehicle is experiencing engine issues then it could be a wide range of problems. Your car might be consuming too much fuel or releasing too many pollutants. Your oxygen sensor might be failing and require replacement -- or maybe your gas tank fell off! There might be a leak somewhere under the hood, something might be overheating, etc. There are a million things that can go wrong in a car, so have yours checked out by a pro to make sure it's nothing too serious.
Electrical Issues
A common cause of the check engine light coming on is that there's some problem with the wiring in your vehicle's electrical system. Modern vehicles use all sorts of electronic devices in order to run effectively, and any number of them going wrong can cause incorrect information to be displayed in your vehicle's display.
If you need check engine light repair, we invite you to bring your vehicle into Prestige Autohaus today!