Check Engine Light — CarMD Can Help


Check EngineWe've all experienced it — the infamous "check engine light" popping up on our dashboards and each time we ask:  "What does it mean? What should I do? Is it safe to drive? My car isn't acting funny so how serious can it be?"  All are valid questions, but there are no easy answers.

Enter, CarMD ($120) a handheld gadget that plugs into the On Board Diagnostics (OBD2) port (found on cars from 1996 or later) which not only reads the check engine code, but also connects you with an online resource of experts which troubleshoot and provides valuable information on the potential repair associated with the code.

CarMD's recently released data detailing the most common fixes for check engine lights, based on its database of 170,000 recent cases.  The verdict?  An astonishingly high number of cases (9.26%) involved something as simple as replacing the oxygen sensor, and (10.21%) were due to a loose fuel cap.  Not only are these both easy fixes, they're surprisingly important.  A faulty oxygen sensor causes your car to burn more fuel, and can lead to more expensive problems in the long term.  A loose fuel cap causes gasoline to evaporate out of your tank.  What's more, it only takes a second to tighten.  Phew!

While "check engine light" warnings aren't usually indicative of serious problems they can be, so you shouldn't ignore them.  The first thing you should do when the light comes on is check other important indicators to make sure nothing obvious is amiss, such as engine temperature, oil pressure, or any other noticeable symptom.  In the event that either coolant temperature or oil pressure are out of range you should pull over as soon as possible.  Otherwise, most auto parts stores like AutoZone and Advance Auto will also read the check engine code for free, which can help diagnose the problem.  Even if it's not an easy fix, you're empowered with that knowledge which you can pass along to a mechanic or dealer you trust.  Also check out CarMD's free service called Vehicle Health Snapshot, which can give you helpful information about the general state of you car whether or not your check engine light is on.

If you're in the market for a new car, take a look at our hands-on reviews!