What does it mean if your check engine light is on? Your vehicle’s check engine light is an indicator that something is affecting your engine’s ability to run as designed. The indicator light is typically yellow or orange and either says the words “check” or “Service Engine”. The light will routinely come on when you start your car and then should go off. However, if it stays on it is time to head on over to the pros at Old Town Auto and have them perform an Engine Diagnostic Test.
Is it safe to drive? If the light is on solid it is typically safe to drive to the shop. If the light is flashing, this is a sign that serious damage could be done if you continue driving. To avoid breakdowns and more costly repairs, have your vehicle towed if the check engine light is flashing.
How do I know what is wrong with the vehicle? The check engine light could be warning the driver of a simple problem like a loose gas cap or it could be an indicator that a more serious component is failing. These include components in the vehicle’s emissions system, ignition, fuel or exhaust system. Each of these systems have multiple components that could cause the check engine light to come on which is why diagnosing the ACTUAL problem is extremely important to make sure you are replacing the part that is the true source of the failure.
When the techs at Old Town diagnose an engine light, they pull the codes stored in your vehicle's computer system and then perform component tests on all related parts to identify the part that is causing the problem. This process can take typically 2 to 4 hours depending on the number of codes that are stored in the computer and the complexity of the system.
🚨If your check engine light is on, give us a call and we’ll get to the bottom of it for you. Or you can head on over to our website to book an online appointment at www.oldtownauto.com
Old Town Auto
📞 707-442-4556