Check Engine Light Tips
People often ask about check engine lights: “Can I keep driving? “Is it important?” “I’ve heard it’s just my gas cap” “Can’t I just unplug my battery to reset the light?”
Check engine lights mean there is something wrong. Sometimes major and sometimes minor. It is not uncommon for a neglected repair to result in very serious (and expensive!) repairs down the road.
A check engine repair code is not a diagnosis of your problem. It is simply an indication of what emission-related system has a problem. A specific code only “points” to the area of concern. Sort of like telling your doctor “it hurts right here.”
Only after a series of tests by a qualified automotive service technician can the failure (or series of failures) be identified.
Don’t let your neighbor down the street turn your light off and then end up ruining a thousand dollar catalytic converter…or worse.
It’s worth it to have a professional diagnose the problem. It could save you a lot of money (and quite a few headaches) in the long run.
