Check Engine Light Hints

Have you seen one of these symbols? All of them are referred to as a vehicle’s check engine light. But what does it mean when one of these lights comes on? The check engine light is NOT a maintenance reminder for you. It is not triggered by an overdue oil change or tire rotation. The check engine light is your vehicle’s way of telling you that the car’s on-board diagnostics system (the car’s computer) has noted that at least one system in the car is not functioning correctly. The light can be triggered by anything from a loose gas cap to a serious misfire. Some causes are minor, and if you continued to drive, no damage would be done. In other cases, however, the cause of the check engine light may also cause damage to expensive vehicle components. Many times, seeing this light means your car is not operating efficiently, raising your fuel and operating costs. It is therefore advisable to have the problem checked as soon as possible.

Additionally, in New York State, having the check engine light on in a car means that the car will fail its annual New York State Inspection.

So what should you do if you see this light? Call us for an appointment – we will diagnose the cause of the light and advise you what should be repaired! We specialize in computer diagnostics in all makes and models of cars, and will give you an accurate evaluation of the problem at a low cost.

If you would like more information on check engine lights and what they mean, visit ConsumerReports.org’s page on check engine lights.