Yes, it is important to pay attention to your vehicle’s check engine light if it turns on. A 2019 study demonstrated that the check engine light is extremely effective in alerting drivers of unseen problems in their vehicle’s engine. In other words, the check engine light rarely turns on for no reason at all. The Shop Tire and Service Center advises that if your check engine light has turned on and won’t turn off, or if it is flashing, there is something going on with your automobile that isn’t right.
How the Check Engine Light Works
The check engine light is a warning light that is designed to turn on if something goes wrong that doesn’t have its own light or gauge. For example, if you have low oil, you will see this by an oil warning light or your oil gauge. If you have a vacuum leak in your engine, however, there isn’t a specific light for this and, as such, your vehicle’s main computer chip will turn on the check engine light.
The main computer chip is called the engine control unit or the engine control module, and this chip talks with system sensors while your vehicle is running to make sure everything is okay. If a sensor reports an error code to the engine control unit, it will turn on the associated dashboard warning light to let you know there’s a problem. In many cases, that light is the check engine light.
Reasons Why the Check Engine Light Comes On
It’s important that you take a check engine warning seriously because many of the reasons why this light comes on are serious, as well. Your check engine light can come on if you didn’t screw your gas cap on tightly after you’ve filled up, but other than that, it usually comes on for more dire reasons. For example, some of the common reasons why drivers get a check engine warning include
- A clogged catalytic converter
- A problem with the engine control unit or system sensors
- A malfunctioning mass airflow sensor
- A faulty oxygen sensor
- Worn spark plugs or plug wires
- Transmission trouble
As you can see, these issues are not trivial. This is why it’s important to bring your automobile to our shop when your check engine light comes on. We will run a diagnostic check to find out what the problem is and fix it.
We are The Shop Tire and Service Center in Elk River, MN, and we want to be the only auto service shop you need for all of your automotive maintenance and repairs.