What your check engine light could mean
What to do when your check engine light comes on
Final word
What your check engine light could mean
When your check engine light comes on, it could mean a bunch of different things. Most importantly and obviously, its means that something serious is wrong and it needs immediate attention. Although this light coming on can be because of a variety of things, more frequently not, it will mean there is an issue with one of four specific things.
These things are your catalytic converter, one of your car’s sensors, your gas cap, or your spark plugs. If the issue is your gas cap, it will simply mean that it has not been screwed on tight enough after the last time that you filled up your gas tank. If you check and/or fix that and the light remains on, then the issue will be with one of those other three things or possibly elsewhere. If this is the case, you will almost certainly not be able to fix it yourself.
What to do when your check engine light comes on
If your check engine light is on and the issue is not something simple such as your gas cap being loose, then you will need to bring your car into a mechanic for service. When you do bring your car in, they will be able to run a diagnostic test that will find the issue. They will then inform you of what is wrong and what it will cost to fix it. If it is something like a sensor not working then it will likely not cost much, maybe one or two hundred dollars. If it is a more serious issue, such as with your catalytic converter, it can cost over a thousand dollars.
Final word
A lot of people ignore their check engine light because they think it is always something insignificant. However, that is just an urban myth and that is not true a considerable amount of time. If your check engine light goes on and you have already checked your gas cap to make sure that it has been completely tightened, then it is time to take your vehicle in for service. If you need a vehicle of any kind or size transported to Hawaii, give us a call so we can work out your shipment today!
