Is your Check Engine Light On?

What does my Check Engine Light mean?

It is not uncommon for the the check engine light to come on during the ownership of the vehicle. It is important to know that if your check engine light is flashing while your driving then you should stop driving your car immediately pull over to the side of the road and shut off your engine and have your car towed to Gandrud Service Center. A flashing check engine light means that there is something seriously wrong with your engine and it could be dangerous and damaging to the engine to keep it running. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Now a constant check engine light can mean a number of things. Your car has a computer that monitors hundreds of sensors every second and when something is not working right your computer stores a code or multiple codes and when a code is stored it turns on the check engine light. If this happens bring your car in for service and a technician will scan the code from your cars ECU computer. This code is then used by the mechanic to look up the source of the malfunctioning part on your vehicle. Once the part is fixed the mechanic can then clear the code from the computer on your car and your check engine light should stay off until the next time there is a malfunction and the computer wants to let you know about it.

Sometimes even turning the car off and restarting it can turn the check engine light off if the problem wast just a glitch from one of your sensors, but if there really is a problem the check engine light will more than likely turn on again.

It is always best to have a certified technician diagnose and repair your car.

Never ignore these Other Warning lights.

Oil Pressure Warning Light - Stop and turn off your engine. Low Oil Pressure will cause engine damage.

Temperature Warning Light - Stop and turn off your engine. Your engine is over heating. Let your engine cool off and check your radiator fluid. Do this ONLY when your engine is cooled down.

Charging System Warning Light - Your alternator is not charging your battery. You have very little time before your car shuts off, better get your car to service soon.

Brake Warning Light - Stop and pull over safely. Your parking brake may be on or you have lost brake pressure if your brake pedal feel is soft or goes to the floor or you have to pump your brakes to stop. Do not continue to drive it is not safe.

Low Tire Warning Light - Stop and check your tire's flats. If your tires are not flat get to a gas station and put the correct factory recommended air pressure in. Some Low Tire Warning lights will reset themselves. See your owners manual to see if you can reset the warning light yourself, or if not, you can take your car to Gandrud Service Center to do it.