It happens to every vehicle owner eventually. You’re driving somewhere without any indication that there’s something potentially wrong with your car when the check engine light comes on.
When this happens, you shouldn’t get worked up or panic. There’s no need to pull over and call a tow truck to take your car away. But if you’re not the type of person to fix your own car, it’s important that you set up an appointment with a mechanic right away. Here’s why this is not an issue you should ignore:
The Light is An Important Tool
The check engine light is controlled by a computer that monitors your vehicle’s performance. When the computer finds an issue, it activates the “check engine” indicator. This could signify any kind of issue. The issue will be stored in the car’s memory, which can be read by a diagnostic computer at a repair shop. It could be as simple as a loose gas cap, or something as serious as a major engine issue. There could also be a problem with the oxygen sensor, emissions or many other things.
Major Issues Could be Ahead
Your vehicle will attempt to troubleshoot whatever issue has popped up before alerting you to the problem with the check engine light. At this point, maintenance is an absolute must. Your best hope is to get to a mechanic as early as possible and hope that they can fix the issue before things get too bad. But the longer you wait, the worse things get and the more the cost of the repair bill will increase.
It’s Not Safe
If your engine or some other important system in your vehicle is malfunctioning to the point that the check engine light comes on, there’s a good chance it isn’t safe enough to drive. The last thing you want is the issues you’ve ignored to lead to an accident. Don’t let that happen – act quickly when the check engine light comes on in your vehicle.
If bad luck does strike and you end up in an accident, 4n6XPRT Systems can offer you an accident reconstruction report. Our forensic accident reconstruction and investigation software is highly accurate, providing you with the information you need for court, insurance, or other purposes. To learn more about our software and services, give us a call at 619-464-3478 today!