In some cases, a Check Engine light could represent something as simple as a loose gas cap or other problems that don't affect the performance or efficiency of the vehicle, but it's impossible to be certain of the cause without having it diagnosed. For that reason, it is recommended that you limit driving the vehicle regularly until the cause of the Check Engine light has been determined. If your Check Engine light comes on, it should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure that your vehicle continues to drive at its best, and visiting the O’Reilly Auto Parts at Blvd. Forjadores to have the codes read should be a priority before you continue driving your vehicle normally.
A flashing Check Engine light may indicate engine problems that are potentially more serious and could cause severe engine damage if the engine continues to run. This could include misfires, knocking, or severely rich or lean idle conditions. In most cases, it is advisable to refrain from driving the vehicle if the Check Engine light is flashing until you know the severity of the damage that is causing the code. Failure to do so may cause the engine to suffer damage or complete failure.
A Check Engine light that is still referencing an active problem, such as a failing sensor, a misfire, or other problems affecting the engine may not be able to be turned off by simply erasing the code. Even erasing stored codes may only turn off the Check Engine light until the next time your engine’s computer detects the problem, at which time it will come back on. If the Check Engine light is on, the best way to turn it off is to repair the problem, and after several key cycles, the engine will often turn it off automatically. This indicates the problem has been resolved and is no longer a concern. Erasing Check Engine codes can help you determine if the problem has been solved, but is in no way a solution to the problem itself.
If your Check Engine light is on, don’t take a chance on getting stranded, or worse yet, risk damage to your engine. Stop by O’Reilly Auto Parts and we’ll test your Check Engine light codes for free. We can even print out a list of common fixes for the codes, and help you find a repair shop if needed. Sarah’s story is just one of hundreds of instances at O’Reilly Auto Parts, and we take pride in keeping our customers safe and on the road.
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