One out of every 15 vehicles inspected at check-up events has its ‘check engine’ light illuminated when it arrives according to Car Care Canada’s Be Car Care Awarecampaign. When the ‘check engine’ light comes on, it means that a system in your vehicle, such as ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating at peak performance, even if your vehicle seems to be running normally.
This piece of information is one in a series of car care tips for Canadian drivers that include podcasts, PSAs, and videos to empower drivers to make safe and sensible decisions about their vehicles and avoid costly repairs due to neglect.
Female Race Car Driver Illustrates What ‘Check Engine’ Light Means
“Regardless of the car you drive, you always want to reach peak performance,” says Kelly Williams, a veteran Canadian CASCAR driver and spokesperson for the Be Car Care Aware campaign. “A glowing ‘check engine’ light doesn't mean that you have to immediately pull over, but it does mean that you should get the car checked out as soon as possible.”
What to do first
If the ‘check engine’ light comes on, the first thing to do is check the gas cap. Make sure your cap was properly replaced after the last trip to the gas station. Sometimes, this can automatically trigger the light.
If the ‘check engine’ light flashes it is usually a sign of a more severe condition and the car should be checked out right away.
When scheduling service, make sure the automotive shop that diagnoses your car performs OBDII On Board Diagnosis and repair. The technician will provide you with a “trouble” code indicating why the ‘check engine’ light was activated.
Car Care Canada recommends reading your vehicle’s owner's manual and familiarizing yourself with the purpose of the ‘check engine’ light and every other gauge and warning indicator on your dashboard.
Stay tuned for upcoming car care tips on safety and efficiency. For podcasts and videos on caring for cars,
click here: (Topics include Battery, Cold Start, Fuel Savings, Idling, Winter Fluids, and Winter Conditions.)
About Be Car Care Aware and Car Care Canada
Be Car Care Aware is a campaign to inform Canadian drivers about the benefits of regular, vehicle care, maintenance and repair. The campaign's purpose is to empower drivers to make sensible decisions about their vehicles and avoid costly repairs due to neglect. Be Car Care Aware is spearheaded by Car Care Canada and built around three key themes: safety, environmental protection and maximizing value for money spent on vehicle maintenance and repairs.
Car Care Canada is a non-profit advocacy group that offers research, consumer education and information about the Canadian automotive aftermarket industry. For more than 15 years, Car Care Canada has been working to advance the motoring public's understanding of the vital importance of regular vehicle maintenance and how, by taking a preventative approach to vehicle care and driving habits, motorists can lower their maintenance costs and improve safety.
To learn more, visit the Be Car Care Aware website at [url=http://www.carcarecanada.ca]http://www.carcarecanada.ca[/url]
