Modern automobiles are remarkably self-reliant. This can be a good thing, because the more the car can do for itself, the fewer things you have to think about. On the other hand, this can be a troublesome thing, because the more the car can do for itself, the less prepared we are to cope when the auto gets in over its head. Your car’s ”Check Engine” light tells you that there is a problem beyond the vehicle’s ability to correct, giving you the opportunity to fix it before major damage occurs.
- What does the “Check Engine” light actually mean? You probably don’t have enough time to hear all the meanings it can have. The light can be your car’s way of requesting attention when you get around to it, or it can be your car’s way of screaming with fright. A trained and equipped mechanic can understand what your car is trying to say.
- What should I do when the light turns on? As was just explained, a person not trained in car maintenance has no clue as to the seriousness of the problem. If you decide to bet that the need is not urgent, and you guess wrong, you can rack up some very expensive damage to your engine or transmission. Unless you have lots of money at your disposal, the thing to do is to find a place to park right away, and turn off the engine. Have the vehicle taken to a dealer or shop that services your make of auto. (Situations like this are a very good reason for carrying a cell phone and an auto club membership with towing coverage.)
- What do I need to be able to talk to the car myself? You need a device that retrieves problem codes from your car’s onboard diagnostic computer. (Newer model cars may require manufacturer-specific equipment.) You need the training, knowledge, and experience to translate those codes into probable causes. Finally, you need the ability to trace those probable causes to actual specific causes.
Pain is your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong; the “Check Engine” light is your car’s way. You can ignore the signal and hope for the best, but sometimes that doesn’t end well. Pay attention to that little light, because it can save you a lot of grief and money.
