Check Engine Light

Do You See The Check Engine Light On?

NAPA Auto Care Center

Our Location

1304 E. Indian School Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85014

(602) 461-7172


Hours

Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm

Saturday 8am - 3pm

One of the most misunderstood features of a modern vehicle is the check engine light. This is true for most drivers today, which is very unfortunate as this can potentially save a car owner a lot of money in costly repairs. Many car owners learn its importance when it is already too late.


Importance of the Check Engine Light

Basically, all you have to remember is that for each instance the check or service engine light turns active, it is time you take your car in for some maintenance procedures. Quality car repair may be hard to come by in Phoenix, AZ, especially when you do not know what the service engine light intends to convey once it turns on. This is probably because of the lack of general knowledge on how the component works exactly, and what normally triggers the check engine light to switch on. The check engine light is hooked up to the ECM or the electronic control module of your car. Essentially, the ECM serves as the brain that makes the engine as well as other car systems function properly. Throughout the vehicle, there are various sensors that monitor the performance of the different systems in the car, and send vital information to the ECM. Each time the ECM determines that there is an activity that falls below factory standards, it will prompt the check engine light to turn on.


Possible Triggers That Turn the Check Engine Light On

By this time, you should already have an idea that there are myriads of possible reasons that may cause the check engine light to activate. Expert technicians at Mike’s Tech Transmission have come up with a short list that contain the most common issues that cause the check engine light to turn on.

  • Transmission Issue – Your service engine light can easily be turned on by a transmission that is overheating.
  • Loose Gas Cap – You may think that this is ridiculous, but failure to tighten the gas cap properly can activate the service engine light in many vehicles.
  • Fuel Injectors – If your car’s fuel injectors are too dirty to function properly, problems that may trigger the activation of the check engine light may occur.
  • Faulty Oxygen Sensor – The O2 sensor is responsible for measuring the oxygen levels in your exhaust system. If the sensor is rendered faulty, it will produce inaccurate readings that will cause the check engine light to turn on.

Ignoring the Check Engine Light Warnings

Many drivers today simply dismiss the check engine light warnings since their vehicles are still running well, and not creating any unusual sounds. This line of thinking may be convenient, and may initially seem like a money-saving habit, but the problem is, you are unaware that your car is already starting to deteriorate. It is highly likely that in no time, you will be faced with an expensive car repair.

Mike’s Tech Transmission thinks that it would be a lot less costly if you immediately bring in your vehicle for check-up right after you notice the service engine light turned on. Because the problem may not have escalated yet by the time you have your car checked, repairs would be much cheaper.

There are risks associated with driving with an active service engine light, some may even be extremely detrimental to the overall health of your car. The dire consequences of continuously driving even with a turned on check engine light include badly damaged transmission systems, overheating engines, and poor gas mileage.

A flashing service engine light is likewise an important sign to watch out for. If this happens, immediately take your car to a professional car repair shop because this means serious trouble.

Your check engine light may currently be turned on. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to panic as you are already facing a major car repair job. Driving with your car in this condition, however, may be causing more damage to your vehicle. The prudent thing to do is to take your car as soon as possible to Mike’s Tech Transmission shop for check-up.

Your car may only require a minor and inexpensive repair, but you will not know that unless you allow us to have a thorough assessment of your car. As they say, it is much better to discover that your car only has a minor problem and have it addressed quickly than to allow the problem to aggravate and become a costly repair job in the future.