Home > Tire and Auto Repair Blog > The Check Engine Light: A Beginner’s Guide

We all wish for safe travels every time we hit the road in our vehicles. Today’s modern vehicle technology has many safety features built in to help keep you safe. One of the most common safety features is the check engine light. The check engine light is typically located on the dashboard, right below the steering wheel so that it is easily seen by the driver. This amber-colored light appears to alert the driver that his or her car is in need of maintenance to ensure the vehicle’s safety. If the check engine light freaks you out a little bit and you are wondering what you should do if/when it starts to glow, we have a few tips.

The Check Engine Light: A Beginner’s Guide

First off, we recommend observing your vehicle. Turn off the radio and stop talking, and listen to see if there is anything that sounds off with your car. Next, check out your gauges on the dashboard to see if the car is overheating, low on fuel, and/or if your oil pressure is off. If none of these items seem to answer the question of why the check engine light is on, then pull over. Once safely at a stop, check the exterior of your vehicle for any leaking liquids, or if your gas cap is missing or loose.

If none of these items are the obvious reasons as to why your check engine light is on, then we recommend getting your vehicle into the shop as soon as possible. A professional technician will be able to diagnose the problem and get your vehicle back to top performance and safety.