So, you’re tooling down the road, tunes playing, the skies are blue…and then the “Check Engine” light flashes on your dashboard. You know exactly what happens next, a sweaty feeling in the pit of your stomach, anxiety over what’s going on under the hood. Bottom line: it’s not fun. The service experts at Peruzzi Toyota are here to put your mind at ease with the five most common reasons the “Check Engine” light comes on (these are in no particular order). And we’re always available to assess what’s going on, and if need be, fix it quickly and affordably.
#1: The gas cap is loose
It sounds silly, but often, the “check engine” light comes on when the gas cap isn’t screwed on securely enough. The cap maintains pressure inside the fuel tank, so if it’s loose, it might send an “off” message to the engine. Before you head to a mechanic, take a moment to ensure that the gas cap is on tight.
#2: You need new spark plugs
The spark plugs ignite the mix of fuel and air inside the combustion chamber. You may notice problems when you start the engine, or when you’re accelerating. Your fuel efficiency may also be “off.” Don’t wait too long to get them checked (and maybe, replaced). Faulty spark plugs can result in clogs in the catalytic converter and problems with the O2 sensor. And on a related note…
#3: Your O2 sensor is wonky
The O2 sensor is meant to measure the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust system. It’s a vital part for fuel-efficiency. When your “check engine” light comes on, you may also notice a drop-in fuel efficiency at the same time. These are key indicators that you need Peruzzi Toyota to have a look at what’s going on.
#4: You need a new mass airflow sensor
The “check engine” light may come one when your engine isn’t getting the correct mix of air and fuel. This is exactly what the mass airflow sensor is designed to do. Other indicators that this part needs review are issues when you accelerate or in reduced fuel-efficiency. You won’t want to wait on having a look at this: a faulty sensor can damage your catalytic converter, spark plugs and more — and that can lead to far more expensive problems.
#5: The catalytic converter needs replacing
The catalytic converter takes harmful carbon monoxide and turns it into more environmentally friendly carbon dioxide emissions. The “check engine” light may come on if this part starts to fail. You may get an advance heads-up if the engine is running hotter than usual.
Having the “check engine” light come on can be distressing, but it’s not un-fixable. Let the experts at Peruzzi Toyota have a look at whatever is ailing your engine; we’ll have you back up and running before you know it.
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