It’s like a punch in the gut, isn’t it?
Driving down the road, pretty as you please, radio cranked up, thinking happy thoughts, and then BAM: There’s a warning light on the dashboard. BLINKING! Are you freaking kidding me?
It may look like a funky yellow submarine, but your check engine light is no joking matter. It could be nothing, but it could be the real deal. The big bad news. The kind of news that puts a hurting on your wallet, and your gut knows it.
Is it OK to drive with my check engine light on?
The important thing is: don’t panic.
If the light comes on and stays on, you can continue to drive the vehicle as long it’s functioning properly. Is there smoke? Do you hear any strange noises? Is it driving wonky? As long as everything seems basically ok, you’re probably safe to drive the car, but you need to get it in to see a trusted mechanic or automotive technician sooner rather than later.
You check engine light is an indicator for hundreds, if not thousands of potential malfunctions, and if the light’s already on for one problem, you’ll never know if another shows up at the party.
If the light is blinking and continues to blink for more than a handful of seconds, pull over at your first safe opportunity. Do not continue to drive. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. A blinking check engine light means that there may be an emergency situation making your vehicle unsafe to operate.
If you don’t already have our number in your phone’s contacts (hint!), call Gary Crossley Ford at 888-609-0484 or schedule a service appointment online. We’ll arrange a tow to get your vehicle into our service department for any more damage is done, and we happen to have a whole dang army of certified technicians on standby ready to help that just-punched-in-the-gut feeling go away fast.
What is the most common reason for the check engine light to come on?
Seriously, it could be almost anything, but here’s a quick tip to ease your worried mind. Take a quick look at the gas cap, if it’s loose, missing, or miraculously sitting on the roof of your car along with the 44 ounce tub of soda from the gas station you left 3 miles back, there’s your trouble. Replace that and your check engine light will most likely get real bashful, real fast.
Other common problems that the check engine light may be alerting you to include:
- Dead battery
- Catalytic converter failure
- Bad spark plugs or wires
- Ignition coil problems
- Cracked air hoses
- Airflow issues
- Faulty aftermarket equipment
Come Experience The Crossley Difference
It could be that. It could be a lot of things. But you need someone you trust to take a look and see what the problem really is.
Anyone can plug in the scanner and tell you what the error codes could mean, but the team of highly trained mechanics and technicians at Gary Crossley Ford and our advanced diagnostic equipment pinpoint the problem fast, tell you exactly what it does mean, and give you affordable options to get you on the road again without wasting extra money throwing parts at it until something works.
We can help you with any kind of car or truck, no matter what make or model, no matter where you bought it.
That’s the Crossley Difference.
