Why Is Your Check Engine Light on and What Should You Do About It?

When you drive your car one day, and you suddenly notice the check engine light coming out from the instrument cluster, you probably will find yourself in panic. Yes, something is indeed wrong with your car when the check engine light appears, but there’s no reason to have a panic attack.

Like all other issues with your vehicle, the most reasonable thing to do is to visit your trusted Mercedes Service Specialist Adelaide to have it checked. Please do it calmly though. There are a handful of possible reasons for this problem, but most of them are not as severe as you probably imagine.

First, it could be the gas cap and nothing else. You most likely do not know it, but a loose, cracked, or faulty gas cap can cause fuel to evaporate, which in turn triggers the check engine light. What you must do is to pull over and ensure that your gas cap is on tight. If it is the trigger, then you expect that your check engine light should go off within ten miles once you are back on the road.

Modern technology us figure out what’s gone wrong when the check engine light comes on. For the moment, your best bet is to take your car to a certified mechanic and let them diagnose the problem. Unless you are a professional mechanic yourself, then you should take it to someone who is an expert.

We want to reiterate that the check engine light turning on is not a case of emergency. Unlike some of the other lights in your car that could mean a big problem if you don’t address it right away, your check engine light rarely signals anything disastrous.

The truth is that it is safe to drive a few more miles or even a few more days. But then again, you must see your trusted Mercedes Service Specialist Adelaide as soon as possible.

Aside from a loose gas cap, all other reasons for your check engine light are a challenge even for the most experienced automotive mechanic. It means that you are less likely to fix the problem on your own and side of the road. Certain things can trigger it, including a damaged vacuum hose or ignition coil, or maybe because of a failed or broken catalytic converter. It could also be worn out spark plugs.

You must realise that modern vehicles are integrated with a diagnostic system. The system provides a code that identifies the problem using a series of letters and numbers. It is the job of the expert to identify the code and translate it so that you will understand what’s the problem.

The next time the check engine light appears, don’t push the panic button. Your responsibility as the owner and driver is to find a service specialist who you can trust.