Why A Check Engine Light Goes Off And How To Respond

Don't Ignore Your Check Engine Light

No one likes to see their check engine light on the dashboard, especially since it always seems to pop on when it's not needed! It's a pain to wonder why the light has come on in the first place, especially with the "what if" that it comes with. There are many things that the check engine light could be alerting you to, from something insignificant to something that could cause a significant problem. Either way, a lit-up check engine light should be addressed, especially if you want to keep driving your car in the long run. When the check engine light comes on, it's because the sensors within your car can alert the vehicle's computer system, which helps you stay on top of the conditions of vehicular operations. As annoying as it can seem, it helps to have the check engine light pop on so you can know when something isn't right and bring it in for a preventive or proactive check. 

Getting A Check Engine Light Diagnostic

At Southwest Auto Repair, we'll perform a full diagnostic test for cars with the check engine light. We perform the test by doing a scan that reads the diagnostic code. That diagnostic code helps to identify the exact issue that needs to be addressed and possibly fixed. 

We won't only rely on the diagnostic scan. We'll also perform an inspection to check the work of the scan and the integrity of the surrounding car parts. 

Common Issues That Trigger The Check Engine Light 

Sometimes, the issue is as minor as the gas cap not being properly implemented, which is easy to resolve. Bad sensors, airflow sensors, and emission component failures can also trigger the check engine light. More seriously, the catalytic converter failure will cause the check engine light to go off if it's no longer filtering out gasses like hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide. There's also always a vacuum leak, which can be experienced with a rough idle or poor performance. In fact, it can cause your car to go into limp mode, running at a lower performance and decreased fuel efficiency.

Staying In Tune With Your Vehicle

By keeping up with your car and following all the signs that it needs to be checked out by a professional, you're doing your part in following your car's signals to check on any potential issues. Scheduling a diagnosis or inspection will help address and resolve any problems going on in your car so you can keep your vehicle running better for longer.