Do you know what to do when an dashboard indicator light comes on? What should you do if your check engine light comes on, but your Subaru seems to be running fine? When should you get your mechanic involved? Knowing what your car is trying to tell you can mean the difference between an easy and expensive repair. 

Seeking out help from a qualified technician is the best thing you can do for your car and your wallet. Check out Lakeview Automotive when looking at mechanic shops in Calgary. Our team lives to work on Fords, Subarus, and all other makes and models of vehicles. We believe that you deserve excellent work in quick time and at great rates. Bring in your truck, car, or van and see for yourself.

2 Ways Your Check-Engine Light Alerts You to Potential Issues

Car engineers put warning lights along the dashboard to ensure you know when something may not be running correctly. The check engine light notifies you of a problem depending on how it appears. Here are the two main ways:

Flashing or Blinking: Think of the flashing light as a desperate plea for immediate attention. Your engine is screaming to be taken to your local Lakeview Automotive shop for some fast diagnostic work. It is usually an indication of a misfire, which means that a cylinder has failed. It can come from a bad fuel mixture, ignition problems, or low compression. Drive around on a flashing check engine light for too long, and you can cause irreversible damage leading to expensive repairs. Here are other reasons that your engine may misfire and cause the light to blink:
>> Bad spark plugs
>> Bad ignition coils
>> Faulty ignition wires
>> Bad timing belt
>> Faulty EGR valve
>> Clogged fuel filter
>> Dirty fuel injectors
>> Vacuum or gasket leaks
>> Electrical problems
>> Bad oxygen sensors

Holding Steady: Less severe but equally important is the light that remains illuminated without any flashing. Here are a few issues you may encounter:
>> Loose Gas Cap – Sometimes, you can tighten the gas cap, and after several engine starts for a couple of days, it may go away. You may want to replace a worn gas cap.
>> Oxygen Sensor – Your O2 sensors check the exhaust for the amount of fuel being used. It relays this information back to the engine so that adjustments can be made. A faulty sensor can affect how your car idles and accelerates.

Don’t Delay! Get Your Check Engine Light Looked at by Lakeview Automotive 

Find an automotive shop in Calgary that you can trust to service your car or truck. Lakeview Automotive has the team with the knowledge and experience you expect. We may specialize in Fords and Subarus, but that’s not all. We work on makes and models across the spectrum and offer more than just repair work. Depend on us for inspections and regular maintenance work. Why get your hands greasy when we can do it for you?

Call us at 403-242-1575 or book an appointment with our full-service mechanic shop in Calgary.