Skip to main content

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

Check Engine Light officially known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp(MIL) informs you when there's an emission-related problem with your engine control system. Depending on how critical the problem is, your check engine light may stay on continuously or just flash. It will most likely stay so you don't forget it needs checking


If no other warning lights are on, and the engine is running normally (no unusual noises, smells, vibrations, etc.), you can assume the fault that is causing the Check Engine Light to come on is probably minor and won't hinder your ability to continue driving. But if other warning lights are on, you should stop your vehicle, come down and investigate the problem

OBD II - HOW IT WORKS

When the On-board diagnostics(OBD) detects faults that may lead to an increase in emission, the OBD sets a pending code in the vehicle's memory and if the same problem occurs on a second trip, under same condition the OBD system will then set a diagnostic trouble code(DTC) and the Check Engine Light will turn on

PROPER DIAGNOSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

Now you are home and you want to know why your Check Engine Light was on. To do this connect a scan tool or code reader to the 16-pin OBD II diagnostic connector under the instrument panel and read out the code but if you don't have scan tool or code reader to do this yourself you can always take your car to an auto parts store. Some of them offer free diagnosis but those who don't charge around the same amount it will cost to get yourself a basic scan tool or code reader

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOOT BRAKE AND HAND BRAKE

Motorists around the world know  how to use foot brake and hand brake, even non-motorists are aware of their operation but how many are actually aware of the working mechanisms of braking using the pedal and the handbrake? very few, i guess. So without wasting much time let's break down the difference Foot Brake and Handbrake: The Real Difference If you have always been looking for the answer to- “when should I use handbrake and foot brake,” then delve deeper into their mechanisms and find the appropriate answer? 1. Overview Commencing with the foot brake system, it is a pedal connected to vacuum booster, which is used to stop or slow down the vehicle’s motor. This is also known as the system of hydraulic brakes that multiplies the foot-force applied in order to stop a car weighing several tons. Whereas, the handbrake, also known as the parking brake, or emergency brake; is a straight pull handle near the steering column. This can also be a hand-operated lever...

YOUR CAR DOES NOT STEER STRAIGHT

If your car does not steer straight, then you may have a wheel alignment problem. You may have your alignment checked and discover that it is within the acceptable range of specs for the application but still it does not steer straight. This is because some vehicles are more sensitive to slight variations in alignment that others and the same goes for motorists Most experts agree that wheels should be aligned to the preferred alignment settings rather than accepting anything that is between the minimum and maximum values because preferred settings are closer to the mark than the minimum or maximum values For a four wheeled vehicle to travel in a straight line, these conditions must be met i. The four wheel must point in the same direction ii. The amount of rolling resistance offered by all four wheels must be the same and this must include caster effect between the two front wheels iii. There must be no play in the steering or suspension linkage that positions the wheels If ...

HOW LONG CAN YOU DRIVE ON A SPARE TIRE

Spare tires are a lifesaver when one of your regular tires pop in the middle of a highway or you may just find the car with a deflated tire. But, how long can you drive on a spare tire? The most common advice would be to check the owner’s manual that usually suggests not more than 70 miles at a maximum 50m/h (for a donut tire) as the rule of thumb There is no definite answer to this question because it depends on several factors. It happens mainly because the modern vehicles come with a donut tire, which is smaller than a full-size tire. The logic behind it is that people need it on rare occasions and don’t even use it for a long time. Also, a smaller tire saves space in the trunk 1. A Full-Size Spare If the spare is a full-size tire, given that it is the same size and type as the ones in your vehicle, you can drive it like a regular tire and use it until it wears out. You may think that the spare tire will be like a new one if you don’t use it. This is not true. If it is ...