Modern cars have onboard computers that monitor systems from brakes to HVAC, engine and transmission function, tire pressure, and more. In some vehicles, you'll find over 100 sensors actively scanning for trouble. When a sensor detects an issue, it sends an alert. Alerts can be written warnings that appear on your driver information interface, your infotainment touch screen, or as an illuminated dashboard light.
Some situations require immediate attention, while others may not signal a critical problem. Many drivers don't understand the meaning of these alerts. To help, we asked our service center technicians to review the vehicle warning systems and explain some of the common reasons why your check engine light might come on. If you still have questions after reading this, please contact us; one of our friendly staff will be happy to help.
What Could Cause a Check Engine Light to Come On?
The check engine light is one of many warning lights your Honda uses to tell you there's a potential problem. Unfortunately, you can't easily determine the issue because it could be one of many possible malfunctions. It could be a minor issue like a loose gas cap or something more complex with the internal engine components.
We never recommend ignoring the check engine light. Catching a problem early usually leads to less expensive repairs. Putting off identifying the problem will only worsen the situation.
For example, if you recently added gas and your check engine light comes on, you may not have tightened your gas cap completely. Your Honda has an oxygen sensor monitoring the fuel system to help regulate the air-to-fuel ratio within your engine. The proper ratio allows for optimal combustion, performance, and efficiency.
A loose gas cap lets air into the fuel system, thus triggering the fault and illuminating the check engine light. Too much air can lead to lower emissions and poor acceleration. This situation isn't a major cause for concern and won't damage your vehicle immediately. However, you still want to correct the situation quickly to optimize engine operations.
The check engine light might also indicate a problem with the engine oil level. Your engine relies on the oil to protect its internal components from friction and the heat created during combustion. Too little oil can damage your engine and result in expensive repairs.
We recommend you check your engine oil immediately if the check engine light illuminates. If the level is low, add the appropriate amount. The check engine light should turn off after driving a few miles. If not, you might have a more serious problem. We suggest you bring your Honda to our service center as soon as possible and let one of our highly skilled technicians diagnose the problem.
Sometimes, your check engine light will flash. This flashing indicates a critical problem, and we recommend you immediately pull over and shut down your Honda when this happens. You can call a tow truck, have your car delivered to our Hanover service center, and let our certified technicians diagnose the problem.
You could have one or more issues with your engine, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, a problem with your emissions control system, or a failed catalytic converter. Worse yet, your engine might be misfiring. The first three issues don't immediately harm your engine but can if left unchecked. However, a misfire can cause serious engine problems.
A misfire happens when a cylinder fails to operate. You could have one or multiple failing cylinders. Fortunately, you'll feel and hear the difference from a misfiring cylinder. Typically, you'll experience a sudden drop in power when you press the accelerator. You'll also feel your engine struggle to maintain a smooth idle.
Your Honda engine usually hums along, emanating that smooth purr you know and love. A misfire causes the engine to shake and vibrate, disrupting that hum. Misfires happen for various reasons. It could be a faulty fuel injector that provides an incorrect air-fuel mix. Sometimes, old spark plugs can cause a misfire, or your engine timing is off.
Cylinder gaskets can fail over time. The cylinder gaskets seal the combustion chamber. If they fail, air leaks in, and fuel leaks out, leading to misfires.
Is It Okay To Drive With the Check Engine Light On?
You need to know why the check engine light turned on before you can answer this question correctly. And as we said, the light could mean any number of problems have occurred. Bringing your car to a qualified mechanic to diagnose the problem is the preferred way to determine the severity of the issue.
You can also purchase a diagnostic tool that plugs into your Honda's onboard computer and reads the error code. While these tools don't provide the level of detail that our service center equipment can, they will indicate what the problem could be, which can help answer this question. It's common to have several fault codes arise, which makes figuring out the issue more difficult for the untrained individual.
Whenever your check engine light illuminates, we suggest you pull over and listen. If you don't hear any unusual sounds or feel any vibrations, knocking, or laboring, check the gas cap. If you have a loose or missing gas cap, tighten or replace it. Usually, the fault will reset after driving a few miles, and the check engine light will go off.
If you have the diagnostic reader, plug that in to see what the code is. In any case, you likely need a professional mechanic to assist you. Generally, you should only drive your car as long as it takes to get to a safe spot to check the problem. If you decide to continue driving your vehicle, do so carefully, and bring it to our service center as soon as possible to protect your investment.
What Is the Most Common Problem Indicated by the Check Engine Light?
Most mechanics agree that a loose or faulty gas cap causes the check engine light to activate more than any other possible problem. But as we explained, diagnosing these concerns can be difficult for the untrained person.
Schedule Service in Hanover Today
If you've experienced any of the above issues with an illuminated check engine light, we hope you rely on us to help. If it has been a while since your Honda was serviced, we recommend you stop by for a vehicle inspection. You can schedule service online or stop by our Carlisle Street facility anytime.
?On [46 of 52] by Chris Isherwood is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
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