If you even think about the check engine light, what’s your first reaction? Most car owners need a second to process that the light is on first. Miller Auto Care wants you to know what you can do so that you’ve got a plan in place should you see that particular light on your dashboard.
Don’t Freak out Just Yet
Take a couple of deep breaths if you do see the check engine light. It’s not a common one to see, thankfully, so it’s not like it should be turning on every other day. If it is turning on that often, you need to have the car inspected and find out exactly what’s going on.
Listen to the Car as it Runs and Pay Close Attention
Just because the check engine light is on, that doesn’t mean that the engine is going to blow up right then. There may be some other things going on, and you need to make sure you can take the car somewhere to get some help. Listen to the car now that it’s on and look for additional signs about what might be wrong. There could be other dashboard lights or you may hear sounds that are definitely not good sounds. If you do see or hear a reason not to drive the car, do not drive the car. It’s better to have the car towed if there are big issues.
Think about Changes or Things You’ve Done
Did you recently get gas or have a service done, like an oil change? Sometimes that can have something to do with why you’re seeing the check engine light. Double-check the gas cap to make sure it’s firmly sealed and think about anything you’ve just had handled with the car. Any information you can provide is definitely helpful.
Do Something as Soon as Possible
Don’t wait too long to get help for your car. And don’t start to think that the check engine light will just go away. It’s always more important to address the underlying cause and get a solution working than it is to simply hope that the light will change or turn itself off.
Facing the check engine light head-on is always the best answer for the problem. Let Miller Auto Care in Medford, OR help you to determine why the light is on and what your car needs from here. We’ll get you back on the road safely and quickly.