Check Engine

**COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING**

The illumination of your check engine light can spark feelings of apprehension. While many assume this dashboard warning signifies an engine failure, this is not entirely the case.

Your vehicle's onboard diagnostic system continuously monitors its performance, with the check engine light specifically focused on emissions. Emissions represent the harmful gases that your vehicle releases into the atmosphere. Most manufacturers and states enforce regulations that limit these emissions produced by your car.

These regulations require monitoring your vehicle’s systems to alert you if your car or truck is contributing excessive pollution. This is why we consider the check engine light to be one of the most commonly misunderstood indicators on your dashboard.

The check engine light could indicate an issue as trivial as a loose gas cap or as serious as an engine misfire.

**Flashing Check Engine Light**

A flashing check engine light points to a significant problem, such as a cylinder misfire. This scenario could lead to a costly and potentially hazardous situation. It’s imperative to bring your vehicle in for service without delay if the check engine light begins to flash.

**Solid Check Engine Light**

Even if your check engine light is steady rather than flashing, your vehicle is still releasing an irregular level of emissions due to an underlying issue and should be serviced without delay. The causes of a solid check engine light can range from a loose gas cap to a severe engine malfunction—each of which could adversely affect your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and performance.

**How We Can Assist**

While numerous automotive shops offer complimentary check engine light diagnostic tests, these assessments often fall short of providing a comprehensive understanding.

These free scans typically produce a code that points to the general area of the problem but do not specify the exact malfunction or how to address it.

It’s evident that a problem exists if your check engine light activates (and remains illuminated), but it's vital to avoid the risk of misdiagnosis from a free test that might lead to unnecessary and costly part replacements.