Why is My Check Engine Light On?
Common Triggers
Is your check engine light on? If so, there’s no need to panic. The experts at AutoStream Car Care Center in Clarksburg, Maryland have all of the answers you need! We know that the first thing you want to know is what’s wrong with your car. While check engine lights can come on for a number of reasons, there are a few common ones that might be the likely culprits. Let these give you an idea of what to expect, but remember that they aren’t the only reasons for the warning light. To find out exactly what’s wrong with your car, you’ll need to visit our shop for diagnosis.
1. Loose Gas Cap
Be suspicious of a warning light that comes on right after you finish refueling. The light can be triggered as a warning when the gas cap isn’t properly tightened, so you might have forgotten to replace the cap properly after filling up. Take a moment to tighten the cap and continue driving to allow time for the sensor to reset. If your car is missing a gas cap, stop by an auto parts store to replace it soon. You don’t want to lose fuel to evaporation!
2. Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensors measure the amount of unburned oxygen that’s released from the vehicle. They are an important part of emissions control and helping your car achieve optimal efficiency. But these small parts are also susceptible to wear and can fail after years of use. If this is the cause for your check engine light, swapping them out is simple. If you fail to do so, you might put your engine’s health at risk.
3. Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are another small, but important component that are easily susceptible to wear and failure. Without fully functional spark plugs, your car won’t start properly. That’s why your car will notify you with a check engine light when it detects a problem with these parts in the ignition system.
4. Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is essential to your car’s exhaust system. It improves emissions by turning carbon monoxide generated by combustion into carbon dioxide. If you keep up with routine maintenance and replace small parts like oxygen sensors when they fail, you shouldn’t need catalytic converter repair. In some cases, these parts fail and require replacement.
To find out exactly what’s wrong with your car, visit AutoStream Car Care Center in Clarksburg, Maryland for check engine light diagnosis.
