It’s never a good sign when your check engine light comes on. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing for everyone. In some cases, it can be a minor problem while other times it may lead to something more serious.
If your check engine light starts flashing, don’t panic. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s an emergency, so drive safely and don’t feel the need to pull over right away. Continue driving normally until you reach a safe spot to pull over, then figure out your next move. While there’s no need to go into a state of panic, you should get your car checked as soon as you can to make sure that you don’t have a serious problem on your hands. Don’t delay doing this because it can lead to bigger problems and more headaches. Remember that while it may not be a real emergency at the moment, ignoring it is not an option.
The check engine light can mean many different things. In some cases, the issue is as minor as a loose gas cap while other times it is because of a faulty engine. It’s hard to determine what exactly caused the light to start flashing until your car is assessed by a professional who can detect and fix the problem.
Some things that you can do on your own before you book an appointment with your mechanic is to do a quick check of your dashboard to see if any other lights are flashing. If you see red flashes or your instincts are telling you something is wrong, then safely come to a stop at the very first opportunity and call for help. Do not continue driving if you do not feel safe.
If the light is flashing a little bit and is not red, try tightening your gas cap. You’ll be surprised how often this is the problem and once you’ve placed the cap on correctly, the check engine light may disappear. You can also try reducing your speed to see if that makes a difference or lighten the load of your car if you think that may be a problem.
If the check engine light continues to be lit, you must get your car checked right away to figure out what is causing the problem. For peace of mind, take your car to Cars R Us so you can be back on the road in no time!
