Check Engine Light Diagnostic

At Cougar Tire & Auto, we believe the worst problem is the one you don’t know about. When your check engine light comes on, it can have you rolling your eyes in frustration. After all, there’s no way of knowing what the light means. Could it be something as simple as a loose gas cap? Or could the problem be more serious?

Even if you’re the do-it-yourself, weekend-warrior type of car owner, a check engine light is a relatively sophisticated sensor that requires professional evaluation. Fortunately, the experienced team at Cougar Tire & Auto has the tools—and the know-how—to serve the needs of the Provo community.

Provo Check Engine Light Service

What Is a Check Engine Light, Anyway?

If you’ve owned your car for a while, you’ve probably already seen your check engine light come on. Typically, this indicator light is located on your car’s dashboard, near some of your other indicator lights. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, these lights might all flash briefly when starting the ignition.

The warning light is typically yellow, often with an icon of an engine. Some designs will even say things like “check” or “check engine.”

Can I Drive My Car with the Check Engine Light On?

If your light comes on, you may wonder whether it’s still safe to continue driving. There’s an easy way to tell.

If your check engine light is blinking, the problem may be serious. Continuing to drive the car with a problem with the fuel system or a misfiring of the engine can cause the problem to snowball. Stop driving as soon as reasonably possible, even if that means finding a place to stop. Immediately contact a service technician who can make a more thorough diagnosis.

On the other hand, if your check engine light is steady, you can continue driving. Once you stop, check your car’s gas cap. If the light goes off after tightening the gas cap, your problem may be solved. If not, be sure to make a service appointment as soon as possible.

Of course, you may have also noticed other “symptoms” of a problem, such as unusual engine noises or leaks. If these problems are occurring, you should stop driving until your service appointment regardless of whether the light is blinking or steady.

How the Check Engine Light Works

In technical terms, the check engine light is part of your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) system. This system basically monitors your vehicle’s emission system, and your check engine light will come on when a problem is detected.

Check Engine Light and Provo Emissions Test

For residents of Provo, Utah, check engine lights can cause your car to fail a regular emissions test. Additionally, this light may indicate a problem that would also cause your car to fail the emissions test, so getting your vehicle serviced is necessary if you’re approaching the date of your next emissions test.

Common Problems We Look For

Your check engine light can come on for a wide number of reasons, ranging from the mild to the more severe. When the technicians at Cougar Tire evaluate your vehicle, these are some of the things we look for:

• Loose Gas Cap: As we already mentioned, sometimes something as simple as a loose gas cap can trigger your car’s diagnostic sensors. But not without good reason, since your gas cap seals your fuel system, and without it you can increase the emissions from your vehicle. If your light comes on, always check the gas cap. If tightening the cap doesn’t affect your check engine light, you may be experiencing a different problem.
• Bad Spark Plugs and/or Wires: Spark plugs serve as a seal in your car’s combustion chamber. The combustion in your engine requires a spark, and your spark plugs create a gap for the spark to occur. Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent your car’s spark plugs from failing. Older cars are especially vulnerable to this, and need new spark plugs every 30,000 miles or so. The good news is that changing your spark plugs is relatively routine, and a service technician can replace them quickly and affordably.
• Defective Oxygen Sensor: Your car is equipped with 2-4 oxygen sensors. These sensors monitor your exhaust system, looking for unburned oxygen. Unburned oxygen can provide insight on your engine’s efficiency and your air-to-fuel ratio. The components of these sensors are made from precious metals, which can deteriorate or corrode with time. When that happens, they will no longer provide accurate data to your onboard diagnostic systems, resulting in a check engine light. Replacement can be costly, but a skilled technician can ensure an accurate diagnosis and an efficient repair.
• Defective Mass Air Flow Sensor: These sensors tell your vehicle to add the correct amount of fuel based on the air coming through the engine. When these sensors fail, it can cause mechanical problems with your car. If this is the reason for your check engine light, schedule a service appointment immediately. While it’s possible to continue driving, you will see your mileage drop and possibly experience some stalls.
• Old or Dirty Air Filter: Another simple problem may be your car’s air filter. If not regularly replaced, these can also affect your mass airflow sensor.
• Defective Catalytic Converter: A catalytic converter is designed to convert the carbon monoxide from your emissions system into less harmful emissions. A defective converter will affect your car’s mileage and, left untreated, prevent you from driving. This can also cause residents of Provo to fail their emissions test.

How Do I Know What’s Wrong?

With such a diverse range of possibilities, how can you know what the specific problem is? That’s where we come in.

When your check engine light is on, it generates something called “fault codes” within your car’s monitoring system. The skilled service professionals at Cougar Tire have the equipment to read these fault codes, which will indicate the source of the problem.

What Can I Expect from a Check Engine Light Service in Provo?

When you bring your car in for service, our technicians will read the fault codes and provide recommendations for service. If your car is not drivable, we can even come to you, though we may have to transport your vehicle for some repair services.

We also clear the memory of your diagnostic system, which will eliminate the check engine light from your car’s dashboard.

Bear in mind, the sophisticated equipment inside your vehicle can take a while to catch up. For some customers, it may take days for the light to go away. For other customers, the light may come back on, indicating that there are additional problems that were not identified in the first diagnosis. While our technicians are thorough, interfacing with your car’s electronic equipment can sometimes require multiple visits to make a complete diagnosis.

Check Engine Light Repair Services

After we complete your diagnosis, one of our technicians can provide a report that details the nature of your problem. We can then provide some options for repairs, which include such considerations as the cost of parts and labor, as well as the expected time that it will take to service your vehicle.

As we saw, some problems can be mild, while others can be quite severe. That’s why we strive to provide the residents of Provo, Utah, check engine light diagnostic services that are clear and accurate, as well as provide repair services that fit your car’s needs.

Provo, Utah, Check Engine Light Diagnosis and Repair

Never delay your service appointment. When your car’s check engine light comes on, your car is trying to communicate that there’s a problem. If you were experiencing shoulder or back pain, you wouldn’t avoid going to the doctor. Delaying repairs can make the problem worse, which translates into higher repair costs in the future.

At Cougar Tire, we give the residents of Provo, Utah, check engine light services that they can depend on. Our diagnostic team provides a clear, accurate diagnosis, as well as affordable recommendations for any repair needs that may surface.

Each of our services is backed with the strongest National Service Warranty in the industry. You can have peace of mind with our free roadside assistance, which provides you with nationwide services for towing, flat tires, jump starts, and more.

As we said, the worst problem to have is the one you don’t know about. But at Cougar Tire, we’ve seen it all. When your check engine light comes on, don’t worry. Contact us, and we can address the problem to keep you moving on the road ahead.