United Tire and Service News

The dreaded check engine light.  When this light appears thoughts of being stranded and major expenses inevitably come to mind.  The good news is, many issues can trip the check engine light, and most of them are easy to address and inexpensive to repair. Because an onboard computer is responsible for sensing a check engine problem and turning on the light, a computerized scan tool is needed to talk to the computer and check things out.  A qualified service center like United Tire and Service has scan tools on hand to speak to any vehicles computer, import or domestic, and can help you fix the problem.  Here are the most common reasons your check engine light comes on:

1. Oxygen Sensor Failure

Newer cars use a sensor in the exhaust stream to gauge how much fuel and air should be mixed for optimum performance and to control emissions. Your oxygen sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in your vehicle's exhaust system. These sensors live in super hot exhaust gases and are prone to fail, setting off your check engine light.

Oxygen sensors are generally easy to access and replace and are relatively inexpensive on most models. If you don't replace your oxygen sensor, your vehicle will continue to burn more fuel than needed, losing fuel economy and getting less miles per gallon. Faulty sensors can cause damage to your spark plugs and catalytic converter, resulting in more costly repairs. 

2. Fuel Pressure Sensor Code

Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons your check engine light comes on is not a component failure; it's your gas cap.  A sensor in your car computes fuel system pressure and if your gas cap is not on tightly enough the sensor kicks out a code.  The rule of thumb for most cars is to tighten the cap to three clicks.  Before you panic, remove your gas cap and screw it on tight and straight.  Your computer will sample the fuel pressure and many times it will turn off the light on its own.

3. Spark Failure

Spark plugs ignire the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. When a spark plug, a plug wire or a coil pack skips a beat or two the check engine light will come on.  This can be a temporary hiccup or a more serious problem.

When the spark plugs need to be replaced and are not, you will experience poor performanceand reduced fuel economy. Worn or old plugs can cause clogs in your catalytic converter. If the light stays lit for more than ten miles, schedule an appointment to have the system scanned and the problem remedied.

4. Emissions Failure

Most check engine warnings are caused by emissions related problems, like problems with the catalytic converter or the exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR).   Again, these problems will rarely cause your car to run differently, but they can kill your fuel mileage and dump extra pollution into the air. 

5. Mass Air Flow Failure

Just like the oxygen sensor, the mass air flow (MAF) sensor helps your engine control computer constantly adjust the air and fuel mixture for best efficiency and power. MAF sensor failure will cause the computer to use a much less efficient fixed fuel map rather than making constant adjustments.  This will rob fuel efficiency and power but will generally will not leave you stranded.

United Tire & Service Offers Quality Engine Diagnostics & Repair

Nobody wants to see a check engine light, but chances are when United Tire & Service plugs in to your computer the fix will be quick, simple and affordable.  The check engine light can sometimes indicate more complex problems, so take ten miles to feel things out and if the light stays lit get it checked out.