When you see your car’s check engine light, that’s your car communicating with you. Viking Automotive knows that seeing that particular light can be something that makes you freeze right up. You don’t have to be scared, because here are just a few of the things your car might be telling you.
There’s Something Happening Somewhere
As if the check engine light isn’t scary enough, this answer is pretty vague. There might be something happening somewhere in the car. The important bit is that whatever is happening affects your car’s engine and that was enough to trip the car’s computer to show you the check engine light. If you’re not sure exactly what the light means, it’s best to have your car inspected by a reputable mechanic.
Your Car Might Be Overloaded
This might sound silly, but it’s possible that your car’s engine is overworked because you’re carrying around too much stuff. Or if you’ve towed something with your car or SUV, it might have been too heavy for the engine. It’s always a good idea to have the car inspected, just to make sure that there’s no lingering damage.
Some Engine Sensors Are Malfunctioning
Your car’s engine has some very specialized sensors that help to measure things like oxygen levels and airflow. They’re a vital part of making sure that your car’s engine has the mix of air and fuel that it needs to take advantage of the spark provided by the spark plugs. When everything is in perfect ratios, you’ve got combustion. When you don’t, you’ve got backfiring, misfiring, and all sorts of other issues.
There’s an Issue with Your Fuel System
You might also see a check engine light when your car’s fuel system isn’t working properly. That’s because your car’s engine requires fuel in order to keep running. If there’s a clog in the fuel injectors or the fuel pump or filter aren’t working well, that’s a big issue that affects how well the engine is going to run. The check engine light is letting you know that the engine isn’t getting what it needs.
Don’t ignore your car’s check engine light. Give us a call at Viking Automotive in Houston, TX, and let us diagnose the problem for you. We can give you an answer about your car’s condition that you can understand and we’ll help you to find the best option for repairing the problem.
