Engine Service: Managing Your Vehicle!
Taking care of your vehicle with routine engine service is the best way to make sure your vehicle will last you with good service a while longer. If you’re experiencing car problems, an engine repair technician can give you professional advice and troubleshooting expertise. Any potential problem can be diagnosed early before small problems turn into a major engine repair.
The “Check Engine” light is your warning signal. When it illuminates, vehicle owners often begin to think the worse about their car. All they can see are dollar signs in front of their eyes. Unless your car refuses to run at all, head to your auto repair shop and have them run a diagnostic test. The engine service technician will plug a small computer underneath your dashboard to read the code indicating what is happening under the hood.
There are five common malfunctions that will cause the check engine light to come on:
- Faulty Oxygen Sensor – The oxygen sensor monitors the unburned oxygen from the exhaust, and how much fuel is burned. A faulty sensor does not provide the right data to the computer, reducing gas mileage and increasing emissions. A broken oxygen sensor can eventually lead to a failing catalytic converter.
- Damaged Gas Cap – If the gas cap is loose or cracked, fuel vapors leak out and can throw the whole fuel system off, also reducing gas mileage and increasing emissions. You may simply need to replace the gas cap.
- Failing Catalytic Converter – The catalytic converter reduces exhaust gases by converting carbon monoxide and other harmful materials into harmless compounds. If it starts to fail, you will notice a decrease in gas mileage or your car won't accelerate when you step on the gas. Be sure to take care of any small issues immediately, as replacing a catalytic converter is a costly engine repair.
- Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor – This sensor tells the car's computer to add the proper amount of fuel based on the air coming through to the engine. A faulty sensor can increase emissions, cause the car to stall, and decrease gas mileage. Most mass airflow sensors fail because of an improperly installed (or never replaced) air filter.
- Dirty Spark Plugs and Wires – The spark plug seals the combustion chamber and provides a gap for a spark to jump across and initiates combustion in your engine. When the plugs are failing, the spark plugs misfire. Replacing sparks plugs is an easy fix.
Don’t leave the light on! Take care of a needed engine repair as soon as possible. Contact our ASE Certified technicians today at Elk River Tire & Auto for more information about engine service and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop in Elk River, MN proudly serves residents in the areas of Zimmerman, and Otsego, Minnesota.
Taking care of your vehicle with routine engine service is the best way to make sure your vehicle will last you with good service a while longer. If you’re experiencing car problems, an engine repair technician can give you professional advice and troubleshooting expertise. Any potential problem can be diagnosed early before small problems turn into a major engine repair.
The “Check Engine” light is your warning signal. When it illuminates, vehicle owners often begin to think the worse about their car. All they can see are dollar signs in front of their eyes. Unless your car refuses to run at all, head to your auto repair shop and have them run a diagnostic test. The engine service technician will plug a small computer underneath your dashboard to read the code indicating what is happening under the hood.
There are five common malfunctions that will cause the check engine light to come on:
- Faulty Oxygen Sensor – The oxygen sensor monitors the unburned oxygen from the exhaust, and how much fuel is burned. A faulty sensor does not provide the right data to the computer, reducing gas mileage and increasing emissions. A broken oxygen sensor can eventually lead to a failing catalytic converter.
- Damaged Gas Cap – If the gas cap is loose or cracked, fuel vapors leak out and can throw the whole fuel system off, also reducing gas mileage and increasing emissions. You may simply need to replace the gas cap.
- Failing Catalytic Converter – The catalytic converter reduces exhaust gases by converting carbon monoxide and other harmful materials into harmless compounds. If it starts to fail, you will notice a decrease in gas mileage or your car won't accelerate when you step on the gas. Be sure to take care of any small issues immediately, as replacing a catalytic converter is a costly engine repair.
- Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor – This sensor tells the car's computer to add the proper amount of fuel based on the air coming through to the engine. A faulty sensor can increase emissions, cause the car to stall, and decrease gas mileage. Most mass airflow sensors fail because of an improperly installed (or never replaced) air filter.
- Dirty Spark Plugs and Wires – The spark plug seals the combustion chamber and provides a gap for a spark to jump across and initiates combustion in your engine. When the plugs are failing, the spark plugs misfire. Replacing sparks plugs is an easy fix.
Don’t leave the light on! Take care of a needed engine repair as soon as possible. Contact our ASE Certified technicians today at Elk River Tire & Auto for more information about engine service and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop in Elk River, MN proudly serves residents in the areas of Zimmerman, and Otsego, Minnesota.
