What Is Your "Check Engine" Light Trying to Tell You? Reynolds Subaru Shares Probable Causes

Have you ever seen the "Check Engine" light flash on when you start your vehicle? Does it disappear after a moment, or does it linger? Either way, your vehicle is sending you an important message, and we at Reynolds Subaru are here to help you solve the issue at hand.

Communication is key--that's the motto you'll hear for just about anything--whether it's a sports team, your work environment, or a new relationship. This is also true of your automobile. If your vehicle shows this light and it goes away, then its job testing the engine/emission control system and bulb is complete. If it stays on, here are some things it may be telling you:

1. Your Gas Cap: is it missing or damaged? Is it loose? The cap helps keep the pressure within the fuel tank, so not resolving the issue will result in loss of gas via evaporation.

2. Mass Airflow Sensor: This may need to be replaced since it helps determine how much air is in your engine, and therefore how much fuel you need to run it without issue; if this is the problem and it goes unresolved, you can expect lower fuel efficiency and possible damages to other equipment such as spark plugs and the catalytic converter.

3. Speaking of the catalytic converter: This could be another cause of your lingering "Check Engine" light. The catalytic converter converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, so make sure to get it checked out!

4. Spark Plugs or Plug Wires: These may need to be replaced, and if ignored, will result in lower performance and damaged equipment such as the aforementioned catalytic converter.

5. Incompatible accessories: If you're driving a vehicle with a keyless entry system, for instance, and your vehicle isn't set up to be in-sync with the technology, you might see the dreaded light. Our Subaru accessories are vetted to ensure your new Subaru doesn't reveal hiccups.

There are other reasons why the "Check Engine" light begs your attention. Regardless of how major or minor the underlying concern, be sure to have our factory-certified technicians in our service center give it a close look, diagnosis, and a cure. Visit our Lyme, CT location or arrange an appointment online to get started.