You probably already know that the check engine light is an important light that you can’t ignore, but what does it really mean? Sullivan’s Auto Service & Tire Pros is here to give you some more information that can help.
Fuel System Issues
Your car’s engine relies heavily on the fuel system to do its job properly. Without the fuel system, the car’s engine doesn’t have what it needs in order to keep running. So, if the car’s internal computer detects abnormalities anywhere in the fuel system, you might just see the check engine light. That can be true even if the problem in the fuel system is a minor one.
Overdue Oil Change
It’s really easy to overlook an oil change or two. Life gets busy and other things might be demanding your time and your attention. But if you’re skipping oil changes, that is a big problem for your car’s engine. The engine oil cleans, cools, and lubricates the engine and those are essential functions. Oil that’s too old or too dirty to do perform those functions endangers the engine and you’ll see the check engine light.
Failing Sensors or the Sensors Are Detecting a Problem
Your car’s engine relies on information that the engine control module collects with the help of a variety of sensors throughout the car’s engine and other systems. If those sensors fail, however, or they pick up data that indicate that there’s a problem somewhere, that is going to trigger the check engine light. You may also have a problem with the ECM itself, which can cause the check engine light to come on.
The Car Is Overloaded
Something that you might not think about is whatever you’re hauling around in your car. If you’re in the habit of carrying a lot of stuff in your car, or towing heavy items, that puts a heavy load on both the transmission and the engine. If that gets to be too much, you’re likely going to see the check engine light come on to let you know that there’s a problem.
Worried about why your car’s check engine light is on? Let Sullivan’s Auto Service & Tire Pros in Seaside, CA help you solve the mystery. We’ll run thorough diagnostics and let you know exactly what’s wrong so that you know what your car needs. We can also help you to set up a plan for preventative maintenance so that your engine is protected.