Nobody likes seeing an unfamiliar warning light pop up on their dashboard, especially when the car seems to be running perfectly fine. Still, issues like these are incredibly common, and everyone has wondered why their check engine light is on at one point or another. So, if your check engine light is on, here is everything you need to know about what might be causing the problem and how to solve it.
What Does Your Check Engine Light Actually Mean?
Your car has an onboard diagnostic system that keeps track of engine performance, emissions, and every other system that’s essential to your vehicle’s safe operation. When this diagnostic system detects something that isn’t quite right, it will turn on the check engine light to notify you that something is not operating correctly.
Why Is Your Check Engine Light On? 5 Common Causes
Unfortunately, your check engine light turning on could signify a problem with almost any system in your vehicle, which can make it difficult to diagnose. That being said, there are some problems that tend to appear more than others. Here are five of the most common issues that cause the check engine light to come on.
1. Loose or Damaged Gas Cap
Sometimes the fix really is that simple. Your gas cap helps seal the fuel system and keeps fuel vapors from escaping. If it’s loose, missing, or damaged, your car may detect a leak in the evaporative emissions system.
Check that the cap is tightened properly. If it was loose, there’s a good chance that the light goes away after a few driving cycles.
2. Faulty Oxygen Sensor
Oxygen sensors measure oxygen levels in your exhaust and send that information to your car’s computer. The computer uses those readings to help manage the engine’s air-fuel mixture.
When a sensor starts failing, you might notice you’re filling up more often or that your engine isn’t running quite as smoothly. A faulty oxygen sensor can also increase emissions, so it’s worth getting checked.
3. Worn Spark Plugs or Ignition Coils
Spark plugs and ignition coils are what ignite the fuel-air mixture inside your engine. When they wear out or fail, your engine may start misfiring.
If this is the case, you might start to feel your car shaking at idle, notice hesitation when you accelerate, or find that it doesn’t have the power it should. Ignition problems are worth addressing sooner rather than later, since repeated misfires can damage other components.
4. Catalytic Converter Problems
Your catalytic converter is responsible for reducing the amount of harmful emissions your car releases as exhaust, and when it stops working efficiently, it can cause poor acceleration, reduced fuel economy, and the check engine light to come on.
5. Mass Airflow Sensor Issues
Your engine needs the right balance of air and fuel to run properly, and the mass airflow sensor is what allows your engine to maintain that balance. If it isn’t working correctly, it will most likely cause your check engine light to turn on and cause symptoms like rough idling, hesitation during acceleration, and increased fuel use.
Of course, these aren’t the only things that can trigger a warning light, so if you’re curious about the many other dashboard indicators in your vehicle, our guide to understanding your car’s warning lights has you covered.
Can You Keep Driving With Your Check Engine Light On?
Whether or not you can keep driving your car largely depends on what’s causing the warning and how your car is running. Some problems can wait until you reach a nearby repair shop but others call for pulling over right away.
When Is It Okay to Keep Driving?
If the light is solid and your car feels completely normal, you’re probably ok to drive a short distance to get it inspected. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it for weeks. Just be sure to keep an eye out for unusual sounds, vibrations, or changes in acceleration, and if anything seems off, it’s best to stop and schedule a professional diagnostic test as soon as possible.
When Should You Stop Driving?
If your check engine light starts flashing, your car is trying to tell you that the problem is critical and you should almost certainly pull over immediately. The same goes for severe shaking, overheating, major power loss, or unusual noises coming from the engine.
Trying to push through these symptoms can turn a repairable problem into a much more expensive one, so it’s always best to play it safe and call the professionals for help.
What Can You Do to Prevent Your Check Engine Light From Turning On?
Though you can’t prevent every mechanical issue, there are a few easy steps you can take to reduce the likelihood that something will go wrong.
Don’t Fall Behind on Maintenance
Oil changes, spark plug replacements, and other routine maintenance services all play a part in keeping your engine healthy. Though you may be tempted to push these routine services off, the longer you go without maintenance the more likely it is for you to start experiencing problems that could have otherwise been avoided.
Pay Attention to How Your Car Feels
After a while, you know how your car normally sounds, drives, and feels better than anyone, so if something seems off all of a sudden, go and get it checked. Sometimes subtle changes in the way your car drives happen before any warning light turns on and looking into the issue early is always the best way to avoid any further problems down the road.
Where Can You Get Your Check Engine Light Diagnosed in Chester County?
Is your check engine light on? Our team is here to help. At Welsh Automotive, our ASE-certified technicians handle everything from straightforward sensor problems to more complicated engine diagnostics at both our Exton and West Chester shops.
We know that having to get work done on your car is never ideal, but with convenient scheduling, in-house warranties, and free loaner vehicles for qualifying repairs, fixing your check engine light issues has never been easier.
Ready to get that warning light checked? Schedule a diagnostic appointment at our Exton location or book an appointment with our West Chester team today.