Why Is My Check Engine Light On?

Has the check engine light turned on in your vehicle? If so, you don’t necessarily need to panic—there are a number of different reasons why your vehicle’s check engine light might come on, and most of them do not indicate catastrophic problems. However, it is still important that you get your vehicle in for maintenance from an auto mechanic in Chino, CA as soon as possible if the light comes on, just to be on the safe side.

Here are just a few of the most common reasons why your check engine light might be on:

• You need to replace your O2 sensor: The oxygen sensor in your vehicle measures how much unburned oxygen there is in the exhaust system of your vehicle. A failure to replace the O2 sensor will result in the engine burning more fuel than it needs, resulting in decreased fuel economy and more money spent on gasoline. In addition, a faulty O2 sensor can have a chain effect on other parts of your vehicle, including the catalytic converter and spark plugs.
• You are having problems with your catalytic converter: Speaking of the catalytic converter, a check engine light may be a sign that there’s something wrong with this part. The catalytic converter converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Damage to this part most often is a result of neglecting your regular maintenance. A failure to replace a bad catalytic converter will result in your vehicle not passing an emissions test, as well as issues such as reduced fuel economy and higher vehicle temperatures.
• You need to replace your MAF sensor: The mass airflow (MAF) sensor keeps track of how much air enters the engine, which determines how much fuel you need in your vehicle. A failure to replace the MAF sensor will result in decreased fuel economy, a harder time figuring out exactly how much gas your vehicle is holding and potential damage to other parts of the vehicle, including O2 sensors, catalytic converters and spark plugs.
• You need new spark plugs: Your vehicle’s spark plugs create the spark that lights the air/fuel mixture in the engine’s combustion chamber. The plug wires, meanwhile, carry that spark from the coil to the spark plugs. A failure to replace it will result in reduced vehicle performance and fuel economy, as well as a clogged engine converter or damage to ignition coils.
• You have a damaged gas cap: The gas cap is on your vehicle to seal off the fuel system and maintain a steady pressure inside the fuel tank. It prevents fumes from emanating into the atmosphere while you’re not driving. If you don’t replace your gas cap, you might lose fuel through evaporation, causing you to have to fill up more frequently.

These are just some of the reasons why your check engine light may be on. For more information, we encourage you to contact an auto mechanic in Chino, CA at Gabriel’s Automotive & Towing. We’ll be happy to take a look at your vehicle and address the problem.

Categorised in: Auto Mechanic

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