Since the early 1980’s, computers have increasingly controlled and monitored vehicle systems and performance. When the computer finds a problem with your vehicle, it notifies the driver, and stores a “trouble code” in its memory that can later be read by a technician. One of the most misunderstood warnings of a vehicles performance monitoring system is the “check engine” light. While most illuminated “check engine” lights don’t mean your vehicle is experiencing a catastrophic problem, ignoring it often results in expensive repairs. If your “check engine” light does come on, here are some tips on what you should do:

• Look for signs that that problem requires immediate attention: Foreign noises, illuminated dashboard lights, overheating engine, or low oil pressure means you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Check your gas cap: Today’s vehicles are monitored for fuel efficiency and emissions, and a loose or broken gas cap means gas can evaporate, wasting fuel. Today’s vehicles will warn you with a “check engine” light, if the efficiency standards are not being met. (Other efficiency and emission problems include bad spark plugs, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter and the air flow sensor.)
• If you have a 1997 or later General Motors vehicle and have an OnStar subscription, the people at OnStar can remotely read your vehicles trouble codes and tell you how serious the problem is.
• Reduce speed and load. This will most likely not get rid of the “check engine” light, but reducing the speed and load on the vehicle could reduce damage to your engine, only if you have no other choice but to drive it.

Have the code read and the problem fixed as soon as possible. Some automotive parts stores will read and interpret the code for you free of charge, or automobile parts stores will sell the tools and instructions to hook up and decipher the codes.