No matter how old or new your car is, whether you drive a high-end luxury vehicle or a bottom-of-the-barrel economy car, sooner or later, everyone experiences the dreaded check engine light. This little yellow symbol has probably been the cause of more driver frustration and stress than any other single vehicle problem. When that light pops up, your first instinct is probably to wonder, "What now?" Thankfully, understanding what this indicator means and how to decrypt its codes can help to take some of the stress out of dealing with this particular problem.

What Is the Check Engine Light?

The check engine light, or CEL, is usually triggered when your car's computer detects problematic readings from one or more sensors. The system governing this is known as onboard diagnostics (OBDII), and it is a standardized system shared between all vehicle manufacturers. The basics of the system are straightforward: when your computer believes that a sensor or sensors have detected a problem, it stores a code. Initially, the computer stores these as pending codes. Pending codes can be retrieved from the car's computer, but they will not trigger your CEL or any other warning. Once a problem reoccurs, the computer stores it as an urgent code and trigger your warning light.

An illuminated check engine light always indicates that your car's computer is storing at least one urgent code, but there may also be multiple error codes. If you want to find out what those error codes are (and what they mean), you have several options available.

The DIY Route: Get a Code Reader

If you want to be able to check up on your car's health at a moment's notice, then a cheap code reader may be a good option. Most modern code readers are small devices that plug into your car's OBD-II port. This port is commonly located under the dash on the driver side of the vehicle, so it is usually easy to access. Once plugged in, the code reader will either display error codes on its screen or transmit data via Bluetooth or wifi to a phone app. Some code readers are also designed to plug into laptops.

Using a code reader is straightforward, but if you are a car maintenance novice, then using a code reader can sometimes be confusing. Pairing your reader with a phone app that can explain the codes to you is a good way to shed some light on what's going on under your hood.

The Free Route: Auto Parts Stores

Most chain auto parts stores will read any stored codes for free. Some stores will show you the codes, while others will provide a printout listing each one. Having your codes read at an auto parts store is an excellent way to save a few bucks, but be prepared to research the codes on your own once you have them.

The Best Route: Professional Diagnosis

Of course, if you aren't an amateur mechanic, then any trouble codes will ultimately need to be resolved by your mechanic. Reading your codes first can help you to understand if the problem is urgent, but it is essential to understand that not all trouble codes will point directly to the problem. Interpreting a set of codes to diagnose the underlying trouble is a skill that is uncommon outside of professional auto shops, so the best option will always be to have your car diagnosed and repaired professionally.

For more information, contact a resource like Powers Car Care Centers.

Share