If you are like most car owners, you never want to see the check engine light pop onto your dashboard. But is it really all that terrible? Certified Auto Repair has some information you need to know about the check engine light, what it means, and what you should do.
Something Small Might Be Wrong
As much as it feels like the check engine light is always a catastrophe, the problem might really be a small one. The check engine light is sometimes there to remind you that you’ve skipped some necessary services, like an oil change, or even that the gas cap is not fully tightened down. If you’re looking for those small issues first, you can often land on the source of the light and get it fixed fairly quickly.
The Car Could Be Overloaded
Something else that might be going on is that the car is overloaded and can’t handle that extra workload. Whether you’re towing something or you’ve got the cargo area packed to the brim, the check engine light can be exactly what you needed to take a closer look at what you’re hauling around with you. Lightening the load can make a huge difference.
There’s Something You Need to Pay Attention To
Ultimately, the check engine light is a warning light. That means that whatever is happening maybe isn’t a huge problem right now, but it is something that you need to be paying closer attention to starting right now. Getting some help from a certified mechanic is an excellent plan.
Don’t Ignore the Light
The worst thing that you could do is to get scared of the check engine light and try to ignore it in hopes that it will just go away. There may well be situations in which the light does turn itself off, but that doesn’t always mean that the problem that caused the light to turn on is fully resolved. It’s always best to have someone take a closer look and let you know what the check engine light was trying to warn you about.
If your car’s check engine light is on, give us a call today at Certified Auto Repair in Henrico, VA. We’ll do some thorough diagnostic testing and let you know exactly what’s going on. From there, you’ll have the information you need to make the best possible decision about any repairs the car requires.
