Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Well-Kept Automotive Secrets
Cars.com is looking out for you: Top Ten "Well-Kept" Secrets about automobile driving, purchasing, and safety.
The check engine light seldom reveals a critical condition. The mysterious check engine light on a vehicle's instrument panel is part of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system, the main job of which is to monitor the car's pollution controls. A light that stays on only briefly can probably be ignored. A constant check engine light, in the absence of any other clear symptom, could be an emissions failure — anything from a loose gas cap (check before you go to a mechanic) to a bad oxygen sensor. Get it checked out to ensure clean, efficient motoring, but pulling over is probably unnecessary. However, if the light flashes, the problem is major and could result in damage. In this case, pull over and shut it down.
(Via The Surfer Who Goes First.)
posted by Anonymous at 12:04 AM