If you are like us, you see a check engine light and immediately take your car to the local mechanic or your dealership to get the problem taken care of . . . right?
Not quite.
We, just like you, tend to ignore a check engine light for weeks if not months in the hopes that the problem solves itself. I’m not sure why we think this, but here we are.
Since this site is about acting rationally, here is what you need to do when you see the check engine light.
Never ignore a check engine light: You are putting yourself in potential danger and could cost yourself thousands in repairs in the future.
Our most recent check engine light ended up being a faulty wire in my wife’s parking sensor. Failure to replace the wire could lead to a fire down the road. The fix was under $100 and was comped by the oil change place because they accidentally caused the malfunction.
What to Do When the Check Engine Light Comes On
First things first, I wanted to know if the mechanic at our oil change place was being over-dramatic about the fire, or if it really was crucial that I take my car in right away.
I don’t think anyone would be surprised to learn that our dealer agreed with my mechanic: If your car has a check engine light on, you should take it to a technician pronto.
The check engine light is an indication that there is an emission-related fault, so it is important that the driver get it diagnosed by a certified technician as soon as possible.
The same could be said for any warning light on the dash. The manufacturer put them there for a reason — primarily the safety of the customer, as well as the protection of the vehicle, along with the government mandates related to air quality. Check out this great guide to emission lights and what they really mean.
Make sure you use a certified technician. Using a certified technician gives you peace of mind knowing the person working on your vehicle has the training required to correctly read the scan data and perform the battery of tests required to correctly diagnose the issue and determine what caused the failure. Have a Mini cooper? Make sure you have a Mini certified repair person. We found this out the hard way with our 2007 Mini . . .
Finding a qualified technician to accurately diagnose the problem the first time is the best tip I can give anyone looking to save money on car repairs.
Signs That Check Engine Light Is a Serious Issue
A flashing check engine light indicates there’s a catalyst-damaging misfire, which can damage your catalytic converter in just a few miles. Basically, abandon your errands and head straight for your mechanic or risk even costlier repairs.
Unusual sounds or smells or symptoms, like lack of power or jerking, can also heighten the urgency. When your check engine light comes on, look for other signs that something’s amiss. Low oil can lead to brake failure . . . DON’T IGNORE THIS.
Most Common Check Engine Light Causes
Here are a few codes to look out for:
P0300 Random Misfire Detected
There’s a variety of faults that can cause this issue — mechanical engine malfunction, fuel system fault, ignition system fault, etc. — and a certified technician can perform tests to pinpoint the cause.
If left untreated, this fault can cause catalytic converter damage, and this can be considerably more expensive than repairing the misfire.
P0171/P0174 Fuel Trim Lean Bank 1 (P0171) or Bank 2 (P0174)
Common causes of this issue include fuel injector contamination, a weak fuel pump, faulty sensors or unmetered air leaking into the engine.
Any one of these scenarios can cause a lean condition in the engine, resulting in internal engine damage, damage to the catalytic converter(s), poor engine performance and excessive tailpipe emissions.
Thus, addressing this issue immediately could save you thousands in the future.
Check Engine Light Repair Costs
In our case, the check engine repair cost us nothing. The oil change shop took care of everything. In most case, you are looking at a couple hundred dollars. Compared to large engine repairs, you are saving yourself thousands. Regular maintenance can diagnose these problems early. Take your car in twice a year.
Delaying a repair doesn’t result in a less expensive repair bill. Ignoring a problem almost always results in additional damage to the vehicle and a higher repair bill.
Follow the regularly scheduled maintenance plan set by the manufacturer. You don’t have to take the car to the dealer. Shop around for lower costs. Look for certified technicians and people with good reviews. Data is your friend.
Do whatever you can to make it work financially when it happens, or you very well could find yourself in a deeper financial hole down the road.
Stay rational.
-B&T