When your check engine light comes on, do you have a moment of panic? Lots of car owners do, and we at Brown Automotive completely understand that feeling. It helps to take some of the mystery out of that light so that you aren’t afraid of what it might mean.
Pay Attention to What’s Happening with the Car
If nothing else, the check engine light is just a wake-up call for you to notice that something isn’t right with your car. When the problem is really simple, like that your gas cap isn’t tightened down enough, then this is a situation that is quick and inexpensive to fix. If you’ve tried that and you’re still seeing the check engine light, there’s more going on and you have to keep looking.
Look for Other Signs of Trouble
Are there other dashboard warning lights besides the check engine light? You should also make sure to look at the various gauges in the car, like the temperature and oil pressure levels. If these gauges are showing readings that are outside of normal ranges, that’s your indication that there is indeed something going on.
Avoid Weighing Down the Car and Watch Your Speed
Getting to the mechanic is your next step, but in the meantime, you want to avoid overtaxing your car’s engine. If there’s anything you’re carrying around in your car that you don’t absolutely need, make sure you take it out of the car. This reduces the car’s load and takes stress off the engine. It’s also a good idea to watch your overall speed because that also takes stress off the engine.
Don’t Let Fear Keep You Out of the Shop
One thing you definitely don’t want to do is to stay away from your mechanic because you’re afraid this is going to be an expensive repair. The reality is that the sooner you get to the shop, the smaller the problem is likely to be. If you wait too long to go, there’s just more damage to the engine in the long run and you may end up with a much bigger repair than you would have had initially.
Keeping your car’s engine running well means listening to those warning signs when they pop up, whether the engine doesn’t sound right or the check engine light comes on. Contact us at Brown Automotive in Trussville, AL and we can diagnose the issue for you and get you back on the road.