What to Do If You See a Check Engine Light

Can you believe that people spend around $9,700 on keeping their new cars running each year?

From gas to new tires and oil changes, there are tons of big and little purchases that will keep your car safe and extend its lifespan. While not many people look forward to doing maintenance tasks, it’s important to take care of your car to get the most out of your investment.

One thing that all drivers dread is the check engine light turning on. Do you know what to do when the car engine light appears? Keep reading this guide so you can stay safe and calm whenever this happens.

Don’t Panic When Dashboard Lights Come on

The idea of an engine check can be scary since the engine is the heart of a car. If something is wrong with the engine, then how can you keep driving? It’s important to remember that cars are designed to be durable and that these signs come on as a heads-up rather than an emergency.

Panicking and trying to pull over as soon as you notice something on the dashboard is dangerous for everyone on the road. You should be able to drive to your location safely and figure out what’s going on once you’re parked. Remember that the gas light coming on means that you still have plenty of miles left to find a gas station and the same sentiment applies to the engine light.

You Can Try Some Simple Engine Repairs

The check engine light can turn on for many different reasons. This is why it’s worth trying a few simple DIY solutions to see if you can fix a simple problem.

Sometimes the check engine light can turn on when an engine cap has become loose or fallen off. If this is the case, then all you may need to do is get a new cap or tighten it.

If your car is low on oil, then you can resolve this issue fast by adding some oil. You should do a proper oil change as soon as you can, though.

Go to Your Nearest Dealer for a Proper Fix

It’s always best to take your car to a local dealership to get a proper fix. This will give you peace of mind that everything has been resolved and your car is as good as new again.

You can even schedule an appointment so you can avoid long wait times at the dealership.

Now You Know What to Do When the Check Engine Light Turns on

Although you should address the check engine light as soon as you can, there’s no reason to panic. After reading this guide, you can handle any car issues with confidence.

Do you drive a Volkswagen in the Greater Philadelphia area? If so, you can always visit Cherry Hill Volkswagen for top-notch car service. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.