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You're driving along without any problems when that little orange light pops up on your dashboard--"check engine." What does that even mean? What exactly is the problem? Obviously being told to "check engine" doesn't give you much guidance in pinpointing the problem, and since it could be any number of things, you should always take your car in for an engine diagnostic service in Decatur whenever this light comes on. If you're curious about what the most common reasons are for this light to come on, then keep reading. Oxygen Sensor The oxygen sensor in your vehicle is a vital part of your engine running smoothly and efficiently. This device is responsible for measuring the amount of oxygen that hasn't yet been burned in your vehicle's exhaust system. Why does this matter? Too much unburned oxygen in your system will cause your engine to burn more fuel than is necessary. If you ignore it, you can experience a loss of up to 40% of your car's fuel economy. Additionally, a faulty oxygen sensor can lead to damage of your spark plugs and the catalytic converter. Gas Cap Here's one that you can check for yourself when the "check engine" light comes on. Sometimes, that little sensor can come on simply because the gas cap is damaged, loose, or missing. It may sound silly, but your gas cap is responsible for sealing the car's fuel system, which helps to maintain correct pressure in the tank. A gas cap that is missing or not sealing properly can cause pressure problems in the fuel tank, and can also lead to fuel loss through evaporation. So if the engine light comes on, go ahead and check your gas cap. If it's loose, just tighten it. If it's missing or damaged, you should likely replace it to avoid unnecessary loss of fuel. Catalytic Converter The catalytic converter helps to protect the environment by converting the carbon monoxide your engine produces into more environmentally-friendly carbon dioxide. This piece of equipment usually becomes damaged if you neglect to maintain other parts of your engine, such as the oxygen sensor, as mentioned above. You should get this piece replaced if it's damaged. Without it, your car won't pass an emissions test, and the engine may run at a higher temperature than normal. Mass Airflow Sensor The mass airflow sensor (MAS) is responsible for measuring the amount of air that is entering the engine to help determine the amount of fuel needed to run the motor efficiently. If it is malfunctioning, it can lead to reduced vehicle performance and fuel economy. Additionally, it can damage spark plugs, oxygen sensors, and the catalytic converter. Spark Plugs or Plug Wires The spark plugs in your engine ignite the air and fuel in the motor's combustion chamber, which allows your engine to run. The spark plugs receive the charge from the plug wires, which deliver the spark from the ignition coil. If either of these parts is damaged or faulty, then you won't get as much power to your engine as you need and you will experience poor performance. It can also affect your fuel economy and cause damage to other parts of the engine. If the "check engine" light ever comes on in your vehicle, it is not something that should be ignored. Your vehicle's engine is a delicate system, and if you ignore any issues that may arise, you could cause serious damage to the vehicle. What may have been a simple fix can turn into major repairs in no time at all. So be sure to take the car in for an engine diagnostic service in Decatur as soon as the light comes on.
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