Ever had your check engine light on, but your car seems to run just fine? Ignoring it could lead to serious, costly issues down the road.
In this article, we’ll help you understand:
- Why might the light be on
- Potential problems it could indicate
- Practical steps to address it
Don’t gamble with your vehicle’s health. Dive in now to prevent future headaches and keep your car running smoothly.
Reklamní odkazy jsou označeny *. Dostáváme malou provizi z prodeje, pro vás se nic nemění.
Key Takeaways
- The check engine light is a warning from your car’s onboard diagnostics system.
- Common triggers include a loose gas cap, faulty O2 sensor, or transmission problems.
- A flashing light indicates a serious issue, while a steady light is usually less urgent.
- Diagnosing the case involves an OBD-II scanner and, often, a professional mechanic.
- Ignoring the check engine light can lead to more serious, costly problems.
Vysvětlení kontrolky kontroly motoru
Ever wondered what that little engine symbol on your dashboard means?
That’s your car’s way of saying, “Hey, something’s not right here!” It’s called the zkontrolujte světlo motoru.
Co to je
The check engine light is part of your car’s onboard diagnostics system. When it lights up, the system detects a problem that could affect your car’s emissions, performance, or overall health.
Jak to funguje
Your car is full of sensors. These sensors monitor everything from your engine’s temperature to the amount of unburned oxygen in your exhaust. When one of these sensors detects something unusual, it sends a signal to your car’s computer.
If the issue is serious enough, the computer turns on the check engine light.
Importance of not ignoring it
Ignoring the check engine light is like neglecting a toothache. Your mouth still works fine, but a serious problem could be brewing. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. It could make things worse.
Common Reasons for the Check Engine Light
Your check engine light is on, but your car is running fine. What gives? There could be several reasons. Here are a few common ones:
Uvolněný nebo vadný uzávěr plynu
Yes, something as simple as a gas cap can trigger the check engine light. If it’s loose or faulty, it can allow fuel vapors to escape, throwing off your car’s fuel system.
Faulty oxygen (O2) sensor
Your car’s O2 sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in your car’s exhaust. If it’s not working properly, it can cause your engine to burn more fuel than needed.
Problems with the catalytic converter
The catalytic converter is key to your car’s emissions control system. It converts harmful gases into less toxic substances. If it’s not working properly, it can cause your vehicle to fail an emissions test.
Issues with the emission control system
Your car’s emission control system helps reduce the amount of pollution your vehicle produces. If this system has a problem, it can cause your check engine light to come on.
Problémy s přenosem
Transmission problems can also trigger the check engine light. These can range from minor issues, like a faulty sensor, to major problems, like a failing transmission.
Remember, these are just a few reasons your check engine light might be on. If your check engine light is on, it’s important to get it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
Ignoring it could lead to more serious and more expensive problems down the road.
Je kontrolka kontroly motoru nouzová?
Now that we’ve got a handle on why that pesky check engine light might be on let’s talk about what to do when it happens.
Is it an emergency?
Should you pull over immediately?
Or can it wait until you’ve finished your road trip?
Kdy se bát
If your check engine light comes on and it’s flashing, that’s your car’s way of saying, “Hey, this is serious!” A flashing check engine light usually means there’s a severe engine misfire.
This can lead to excessive heat in the catalytic converter and cause damage. In this case, you should immediately reduce your speed and seek professional help.
When it might be a minor issue
On the other hand, if the light is steady, it’s usually not an emergency. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. A steady check engine light is still a sign that something’s wrong.
It could be a minor issue, like a loose gas cap or a sign of something more serious. Either way, getting it checked out as soon as possible is best.
Diagnostika kontrolky motoru
So, your check engine light is on. What’s next? It’s time to figure out what’s causing it.
Steps to diagnose
The first step in diagnosing a check engine light is to use an OBD-II scanner. This device can read the trouble codes from your car’s computer. These codes can tell you what’s causing the light to come on.
Importance of a professional diagnosis
While an OBD-II scanner can give you a general idea of what’s happening, it’s not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. A professional mechanic has the tools and knowledge to diagnose the problem and recommend the best action accurately.
Co dělat, když se rozsvítí kontrolka motoru
You’ve got the diagnosis; now what? Here’s what to do if your check engine light comes on.
DIY kroky
If the problem is simple, like a loose gas cap, you can fix it yourself. Just ensure the lid is tight and see if the light goes off.
When to bring it to a professional
If the problem is more serious or you’re uncomfortable repairing yourself, it’s time to bring your car to a professional. They can fix the problem and reset the check engine light.
Často kladené otázky
Can I continue driving when the check engine light comes on?
Yes, you can continue driving if the check engine light is steady. However, getting your car checked as soon as possible is best. If the light is flashing, it’s a sign of a serious problem, and you should reduce your speed and seek help immediately.
Jak dlouho mohu jet s rozsvícenou kontrolkou motoru?
There’s no specific time frame, but driving for long periods with the light on is not recommended. The longer you ignore it, the higher the chance of causing serious damage to your car.
Can a check engine light come on due to low fuel?
No, a check engine light won’t come on due to low fuel. However, running your car on a very low fuel level can cause the fuel pump to overheat and fail, triggering the light.
Can a check engine light come on due to weather changes?
Drastic weather changes can affect tire pressure; triggering the check engine light and checking your tire pressure when the weather changes is always a good idea.
Can a check engine light reset itself?
Yes, if the issue that caused the light to come on is resolved, it can turn off by itself. However, getting a professional to check it out is always best to ensure the problem is truly fixed.
Proč investovat do čističky vzduchu?
The check engine light is more than just annoying on your dashboard. It’s a warning sign that something’s not right with your car. Ignoring it could lead to serious, costly problems down the road.
So, if your check engine light comes on, don’t ignore it. Get it checked out and keep your car running smoothly.
Sebastian miluje kabriolety a dlouho jezdil v BMW 335i (325 koní je jen sen). Dnes se dvěma dětmi se zabývá spíše SUV a rodinnými vozidly. Kromě Audi A4 Avant jezdí také Cupra Formentor VZ – ani jako rodinný muž se bez rychlosti neobejdete. Poznejte Sebastiana lépe a navštivte stránku O nás.
Reklamní odkazy jsou označeny *. Dostáváme malou provizi z prodeje, pro vás se nic nemění.
The dreaded check engine light. Everything seems fine, you are tooling down the highway, and suddenly, that light catches your eye. You immediately take your foot off the gas, turn down the music, and listen intently to the motor. It sounds OK. What could be wrong? Am I going to be stranded? Is this going to be expensive?
Sound familiar? The check engine light or service engine light is probably the second thing people fear most about their cars. (The first one being steam from under the hood). It’s easy to see why. A dead battery? You know what it is and what to do. Even steam means the car is overheating. Even if you might not know exactly why it is overheating, you know what to do. But the check engine light? What does that mean? Is the car going to explode? Stop running? Is it just a money-making scam because the car drives fine? Do I take it in right away or can I wait till payday? When the engine light shows up, most people just feel lost.
There are a multitude of reasons why the service engine light turns on. However, one thing is certain: It isn’t just a money-making scam. Today’s modern cars are full of computers and sensors designed to reduce tailpipe emissions, maximize fuel economy and help you get the most out of your engine.
Let’s look at what you should do when the engine light comes on your dash—and why people ignore this dashboard warning light far too often.
If My Car Runs Fine, Why Spend Money on a Check Engine Light?
If you haven’t heard that, you’ve probably thought that at one time or another. The problem may not cause your car to run differently. The truth is that the check engine light comes on because one of many parts responsible for your tailpipe emissions has failed an internal test or is operating outside of accepted parameters. Your vehicle’s onboard computer flags this and turns on the service engine light to get your attention. If you let it go, this often causes damage to other parts and creates a more expensive repair scenario. So, you can spend a little now to fix the engine light problem or you can spend a lot more later when the failing part ends up damaging other parts.
The Engine Light is On. What Should I Do?
Your first instinct is correct. Turn off the radio, and listen to the engine. Does it sound any different? Is the car experiencing any problems? Do you have any red warning lights or gauges going into a red zone? Overheating? Charging system low? Oil pressure reading zero? If any of these are true, yes, you should probably stop driving as soon as possible. Some car manufacturers have a system where a service engine light that is flashing means it is an urgent issue, and you should stop driving ASAP. If the light is steady, then you can wait, and keep driving until the car can be looked at. Check your owner’s manual to see if your car has this feature.
If your car seems to be running fine, it’s time to ask yourself a few questions. Did you recently get gas? The gas cap may not have been put back on or it is loose. It could even be cracked or broken. This will cause the engine light to turn on. Did you recently have any work done on the car? If you did, you should return the car as soon as possible to the location to see if the light is related to any work that was done.
People Drive for Years with the Check Engine Light On. Why Do They Ignore It?
There are many reasons to ignore things in life that you don’t like or that you feel are unreasonable. Many people ignore high blood pressure readings, speed limits and junk food warnings, although their reasons for ignoring these might be different from the warning lights on their car.
The #1 reason people ignore that warning light is cash. Let’s face it, chances are that little light on your dash is going to cost you at least a little money. If you don’t have it and the car seems fine, why bother?
As we mentioned earlier, the problem with this thinking is that most likely the failed part is causing damage to other parts. Or chances are, you are wasting money because the car is no longer fuel efficient. You won’t pass your next inspection due to a high level of emissions.
The choice is entirely yours. You can pay now, or you can pay later. Unfortunately, there is no denying that in the end, you will pay. The longer you wait, the more it will cost you.
Top 5 Causes of a Check Engine Light
Although we know there are at least 1,000 reasons reasons that can trigger the check engine light, there are a lot of common failures. Here are the top 5 failures that cause an service engine light:
1. Oxygen Sensor (O2 Sensor)
This part measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas. This helps to keep emissions down and prevents your car from burning more gas than is necessary. Cars and trucks have between one and four oxygen sensors. In most cases, only one oxygen sensor needs replacing. Not replacing this part (which averages a few hundred dollars) will cost you a burned-out catalytic converter down the road at an average price of $2,000.
2. Gas Cap Problems
The gas cap keeps fuel vapors from venting to the outside air. While this won’t hurt your car necessarily, you are hurting the environment. Of course, if something should fall into the gas tank, be it a bug, a rock, or your kid’s beanie toy, you will be paying big time to remove the gas tank and flush the system. Be sure the gas cap is on tightly. You should hear clicking sounds when it is fully closed. If you don’t hear the noise or if you see the cap is broken, cracked, has a missing gasket or is lost entirely, get a new one. For everyone’s sake. They are about $10-20.
3. Spark Plugs/Spark Plug Wires/Ignition Coils/Distributor Cap, Etc.
Some people think that tune-ups are a thing of the past. While they don’t need to be done nearly as often, they are still important. The check engine light will definitely come on if your car has spark plugs, spark plug wires, a distributor cap/rotor or ignition coils and the parts are failing and causing the engine to misfire. Replacing these worn out parts will not only improve your gas mileage right away, but they can also make the car run substantially better (assuming there’s nothing else wrong). These are not expensive repairs, but the price does vary depending on how many parts you need and if you have a 4, 6, or 8-cylinder car.
4. Catalytic Converter Has Failed
This part helps to reduce the amount of harmful exhaust gas (aka “emissions”) by converting the majority of it to carbon monoxide. When this goes bad, it will hit your gas mileage. Leave it go long enough, and the car will simply refuse to go more than 20 or 30 MPH. We won’t kid you: These aren’t cheap, but eventually, the car will refuse to run. So, you might as well suck it up, and pay now or add Uber to your speed dial list.
5. MAF Sensor (Mass Airflow Sensor)
This sensor tells the computer in your car how much fuel the car needs based on the amount and temperature of the air that is entering the car. When this goes bad, it can lower your gas mileage and cause the car to stall. Changing the air filter regularly will help keep this part working longer. The car will start to stall more often if you keep driving with a failing sensor.
Bottom Line
When your check engine light is on, you are far better off calling the caring experts at Auto Lab for an appointment. Our experienced technicians excel at diagnosing check engine light issues correctly the first time. For us, this is not a guessing game. We get to the heart of the matter immediately, and we will always provide an estimate and explain the situation before we make any repairs. Don’t risk a bigger repair down the road. Auto Lab is just a phone call away, so call now.
