The check engine light is not something that most car owners want to see in the entire time they own their cars. But if it does come on, you need to know what it might mean. Here’s what A1 Automotive wants you to know about the check engine light.
You Could Have Transmission Trouble
Your car’s engine creates power and then transfers it to the transmission so that the transmission can pass that power along to the wheels. If the transmission is having issues, that causes problems back up the line in the engine. To alert you to that, the car’s engine control module, or ECM, turns on the check engine light.
The Car Might Need an Oil Change
If you’re a little behind on getting an oil change, that can eventually get to be a problem for your car’s engine. That’s because engine oil cools, lubricates, and cleans your car’s engine. That’s a big job, and engine oil breaks down fast and gets really dirty. Over a short period of time, engine oil loses a lot of its effectiveness. And if you’re falling behind on consistent oil changes, it takes a toll on your car’s engine.
The Engine Might Be Misfiring
Misfiring is an other word for engine knocks. There are a lot of things that can cause engine knocks, ranging from airflow being off to problems with fuel. If the fuel injectors are dirty or clogged, they can seriously diminish the fuel that gets into the engine and that causes misfires. Misfiring eventually causes engine damage, and when the ECM detects that the engine is sustaining too much damage, the check engine light will come on.
The Problem Might Be Something Really Small
Oddly enough, sometimes the problem is one that is really small. But the ECM’s job is to watch out for anything that could eventually create problems for the engine. Things like clogged fuel injectors or a gas cap that isn’t completely sealed are all really small issues, in the grand scheme of things, until you realize that they can lead to engine issues very quickly.
If you’ve seen your car’s check engine light come on, make sure that you don’t ignore it. A1 Automotive in Lincoln, NE can help. We’ll use accurate diagnostic tools and our wealth of experience to properly assess your car’s engine and determine what’s causing the check engine light to come on.