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What the Check Engine Light Means

There are two kinds of people in the world, and both of them have no idea what the check engine light means. The first kind of person sees the check engine light and says “I don’t know what that means, but I bet it is there for a reason. I should go into the shop and get my car checked out before something bad happens.”

The second kind of person corrects people’s grammar on the internet. They make mean faces at smiling children. They ask for their Christmas gifts to come with receipts so they can return them for cash.

In short, you do not want to be the second kind of person. Because this is the kind of person who sees the check engine light and assumes it is no big deal. They do not know what it means, but they assume it is not a problem. Well, it is, and this guide will show you what kind of problem it might be.

It Might be a Loosened Gas Cap

When you start your car, all the lights on the dashboard will come on. Then, the ones that actually have something to report will stay on. If the check engine light is on it will mean one of two things: A serious problem, or a problem with the gas cap.

The first thing you should do if you see the check engine light is gone and make sure your gas cap is screwed on properly. This is the lowest stakes problem it could indicate. If the light is still on after that, it is time to go to the auto shop. If the light is blinking, then it is time to drop everything and go to the auto shop now.

What is a “Misfire” and What Does it Do?

The second most common reason your check engine light is on is what is called a “misfire” inside the engine. This happens when there is either an abundance or a lack of oxygen in the engine. 

Car engines are “combustion engines”, meaning they rely on a steady stream of tiny explosions to function. They need oxygen for that, but too much oxygen will cause an uncontrollable explosion, while too little will result in no explosion at all. In either case, it disrupts the flow of the engine, causing it to briefly stall.

This stalling can literally be one second or less. But if there is instability in the engine, a problem with the filter, or any number of other problems, then that misfire will not be an isolated incident. Misfires can happen somewhat randomly due to anomalies in the atmosphere, but they will usually be engine problems.

This is also the kind of thing that will cause your engine light to blink. This indicates that there is anything from a leak in the fuel line to an air bubble in the engine. None of these will cause the car to explode or anything so dramatic as that, but they are the kind of thing that needs to be addressed immediately.

So, be careful when you have a check engine light on. Listen to it, respect it, and keep yourself safe. Bring your vehicle into Thompson Automotive in Littleton CO today for service.

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