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What to Do if the Check Engine Light Comes On

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What to Do if the Check Engine Light Comes On

Watch the Check Engine Video

Have you ever had the pesky Check Engine light come on when you're driving? What did you do? Panic, pull over, and call a tow truck? Or did you just ignore it and kept driving? What does that warning light really mean anyway?

If your check engine light is on and flashing, that means that something is wrong that could lead to severe engine damage. You need to get that taken care of right away. Don’t drive at highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads – take it easy all the way to your closest Hilltop Tire Service Center as soon as possible.

If the light is on, but not blinking, keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, bring it in to get checked out at your earliest convenience.

How the Check Engine Light Works

Most of your engine functions are controlled by a computer. This computer can adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine conditions, and even the way you drive. In order to make these adjustments, the computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of the normal range, the computer will run some tests and then may turn the check engine light on.

A simple example is a loose or missing gas cap. This will trigger one of the sensors to read out of range. The computer doesn’t know if it’s a serious condition that caused the reading or just a loose gas cap, so it stores a trouble code and turns the Check Engine light on. Then, when you tighten down the gas cap, the sensor reading will be in the correct range. The computer will keep checking on the report for a day or two and since a bad reading didn’t come up again, it will turn off the check engine warning light.

In some cases, the computer will try to make an adjustment to compensate for some readings, if it can do so, it will turn off the check engine light. If the problem can’t be resolved, then the light will remain on and you should get your vehicle checked out. Can I fix the Check Engine light myself?

There are devices and techniques for resetting the check engine light yourself. However, this does nothing to fix the underlying problem that caused the light to come on in the first place. In some methods for turning off the check engine light, it will actually erase important data the engine management computer needs to operate efficiently. Have your vehicle inspected by one of our qualified engine technicians at Hilltop Tire Service. We can properly diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs to keep you safely on the road.

What is the Check Engine Light Diagnostic process?

An engine expert will connect your vehicle up to a diagnostic tool that will read the trouble codes set off by the Check Engine Light. This does not tell the technician exactly what is wrong with the vehicle, it simply gives him a general idea of where to start looking for the problem. This is the beginning of the diagnostic process that combines skill, experience and diagnostic technology to get to the root of the problem. Sometimes this process is simple and straightforward, while other times it’s complex and time-consuming. Here at Hilltop Tire Service, our professionals have the training and equipment needed to get to the bottom of your problem.

Obviously, the best thing to do is keep the Check Engine light from coming on in the first place. Keeping up with routine oil changes and preventative maintenance services will keep your vehicle running reliably for years to come. Now if the Check Engine light does come on - take it seriously, it could be an early warning signal that expensive damage is coming. Be smart. Take care of the problem as soon as possible and take care of it professionally. Hilltop Tire Service is here to help you with all the above.

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