It's not meant to look like a car driving down a wild and curvy road, but it kind of does. Ignoring a blinking check-engine light could mean putting yourself at risk, and ruining your car’s powertrain. This means there’s a far more serious problem, such as a misfire that could permanently damage the car’s engine. Should the light turn on and the vehicle suddenly begin operating erratically or making strange noises, pull over immediately and call for a tow.
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This also prevents an emissions-spewing vehicle from operating without the driver knowing there’s a problem lurking under the hood. With an OBD scan, sourcing a problem is easier-something as simple as tightening the gas cap might solve the issue. This is a computer that monitors emissions levels and other vital engine components. has been legally required to have an On Board Diagnostic system (OBD). Since 1996, every new car and light-duty truck sold in the U.S. Get the vehicle to a mechanic to run a diagnostic test and source the problem. If the check-engine light illuminates while you're driving and everything seems fine with the car, don't panic, but don't ignore it, either. Or it could mean something far more serious is wrong in the heart of the engine itself. The potential issue could be as minor as a loose wire, an ill-fitting gas cap, or worn solenoid. While it seems like the scariest, this light is one the most ambiguous because it relates to anything having to do with the car's motor and emissions system. Usually, this warning is in the shape of a silhouetted engine, though sometimes it's an even harder to miss all-caps "CHECK ENGINE" message. The check-engine light is the one car owners hate most. To make up for lost time and past misunderstandings, let's explore some of the most common dashboard warning lights and what each one means. So, nearly 90 years ago, our cars were already trying to tell us when something was wrong. "At this point," according to the manual, "your electrical system should be checked by your Hudson dealer." Should it start flashing while traveling above 20 mph, it means the battery isn't being charged.
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The manual advises the light should turn off once the car reaches a speed just above idle.
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"How many people do you know read the owner's manual? Very, very few."Īccording to Matt Anderson, curator of transportation at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, one of the earliest dashboard warning lights was found in a 1933 Hudson.Īnderson points to a page in a 1933 Hudson Super Six owner's manual in which a generator warning light is referred to as "the red jewel" on the car's dashboard. "People often really don't understand this highly complex device they're motoring around in at very high speeds," Arbelaez said. Yet, as vehicles grow increasingly complex, it's the human factor that can present hurdles. Until you don't."Ī career spent conducting crash tests and researching automobile safety gives Arbelaez unique insight into how cars protect their occupants. "I think vehicles today tend to be so good, and reliable, and smooth driving, that for many people you can ignore for a while and still get a very good driving experience. Raul Arbelaez, vice president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Vehicle Research Center, said. Reset a Check Engine Light at Your Own Risk.
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