It can be frightening if your check engine light comes on while you’re driving. You don’t know if there is something seriously wrong or if it’s minor enough that it won’t hurt to continue on your route. The check engine light is a catch-all to warn drivers and mechanics that something is wrong other than in the systems that have an associated warning signal. So, why did your check engine light come on? Here are some possible reasons for the alert.
The Good
Well, an illuminated check engine light is never good but sometimes the light will come on if your gas cap wasn’t tightened completely after you filled up. If your check engine light comes on and you don’t see, hear, or smell anything strange, pull over and check your gas cap. If it’s loose, tighten it to see if that will turn off the check engine light.
The Bad
The bad is a more serious problem but a problem that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to fix them. Sometimes, the check engine light will come on if your vehicle’s spark plugs and/or spark plug wires need to be replaced. If your car, truck, or SUV is overdue for a tune-up, it could be the plugs or wires and it costs a couple of hundred bucks to replace both.
The Ugly
Brace yourself for the ugly. Three common reasons a check engine comes on while a person is driving his or her vehicle is because the catalytic converter is failing, the mass airflow sensor is failing, or the oxygen sensor is failing. To repair any of these, you’re looking at $500 to $1,000, so here’s hoping your check engine light didn’t come on because of any of the uglies.
Can I Drive My Car?
Should you drive your car when your check engine light comes on? No, but it’s not the end of the world if you do under certain circumstances. Don’t drive your car if you notice strange smells, hear strange sounds, or see smoke coming from your tailpipe or from underneath the hood. If you are aware of a problem beyond the check engine light illumination, pull over and call for a tow.
If everything seems okay, keep cruising into J&M Auto Service in Tea, SD. We’ll find the reason why your check engine light came on and fix it as quickly as possible. You can also call us at 605-777-7736 to set up an appointment.