Check Engine Light Situations In Your Car
July 30, 2010 by admin
Filed under Car review
What do I do if my vehicle’s check engine light turns on? This common question among vehicle owner’s today. Most of us don’t even know what it really means or what it’s for. We may have a limited understanding with regards to how our vehicles work after all.
It is important to understand what the check engine light is for first of all. In a nutshell, it is our vehicle’s way of telling us that it needs your attention and that it’s not feeling quite alright. It is triggered by your vehicles OBD II (on-board diagnostics II) computer when they receive trouble codes from the vehicle’s engine that merits technical attention.
chiltons manual 2008 chevy silverado
The best thing that you must do the moment that check engine light turns on is to pull over the side of the road slowly. Check each of the gauges on your dashboard and observe your car’s operating condition such as the sound that it’s making. Check the engine temperature, oil pressure, tachometer and if the car’s engine is operating roughly. In most cases, they will serve as symptoms to your vehicle’s actual condition.
If everything seems okay and the engine isn’t making any funny sounds don’t assume right away that it’s okay to continue driving on. Observe the Check engine light again if it is lit up consistently, turning on and off intermittently or rapidly flashing on and off. In most cases a check engine light which turns on and off intermittently indicates a minor or temporary problem which doesn’t affect any of the vehicle’s critical function. You can resume your drive and you may have your car examined at a time convenient for you.
A consistent engine light would indicate a potentially significant issue in one of your vehicle’s system. In most cases, it is not enough to compromise the vehicle’s safety features.Use Chiltons auto repair manual. Do not attempt a long drive in this condition however and have your car examined as soon as possible.
However, if your vehicle’s check engine light is flashing rapidly on and off. This is an indication that a part of your vehicle’s critical function had been compromised. You must cease operation of the vehicle immediately and call for road side assistance. Do not attempt to operate the vehicle in this condition, even if’s just over short distances. Compromise of critical functions may include brake failure which is extremely hazardous indeed.
In any case, it is important to stay safe. Thus when deciding to continue operating the vehicle under a consistent check engine light or an intermittent one, it is best to do so with minimum power and turn off all unnecessary functions such as the radio or air conditioning system. Test the braking and handling functions if it’s functioning well. More importantly, do not wait for too long in having your car examined and repaired. You can employ the services of a vehicle technician or use 1969 nova repair manual so that you can do it yourself if you are your vehicle’s DIY mechanic.
