My Check Engine Light Turned On…What Do I Do?

Notice your Toyota check engine light flashing? Not to worry, as we have a team of certified and factory-trained experts ready to handle the job in Monroeville, PA. Even better, it doesn’t matter if you’re driving a track-geared Toyota Supra or a rugged Tacoma pickup, our technicians know how to diagnose and fix nearly all check engine light issues that pop up.

Don’t delay your check engine light service (as the issue could damage your motor beyond repair if unchecked)—instead, schedule your service online at Spitzer Toyota Monroeville, and let us know how we can assist.

But First…What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

Virtually all Toyota models from recent years have a check engine notification when something goes wrong in your vehicle. This light is simply your vehicle’s way of letting you know something needs to be fixed—however, the exact issue ranges heavily from a failed catalytic converter to a basic leak. For most cars, you’ll notice the check engine light blinking when something is super-wrong (i.e. about to damage your vehicle beyond repair), so by all means, you’ll want to schedule service upon spotting the dreaded flashing check engine light.

What Are Some Reasons My Check Engine Light Could Be On?

Literally hundreds of reasons could explain why your check engine light is powered on, ranging from mild to severe. On the mild end of the spectrum, the cause could be a loose gas, a dead battery, or a part that was installed incorrectly (which can usually be fixed within minutes).

However, on the critical side of the spectrum, your check engine light could indicate a sign of a misfiring motor, which if unchecked, can lead to a slippery slope of issues to your catalytic converters or destroying your cylinder walls in your motor—which can kill your performance while also leading to costly service center repairs. Other times, a faulty sensor could lead to other car systems not working, like a broken oxygen sensor leading to poor gas mileage, a foul egg smell, uncomfortable idling, or even slowing your acceleration to unbearable levels. Other issues like a faulty air flow sensor can all-out destroy your motor since your engine cannot calculate the amount of injected fuel.

That’s only the start of potential reasons our technicians see check engine lights power on, as other common problems can include damaged alternators, broken plug wires, ignition coil faults, exhaust gas recirculation valve errors, and much more. For diagnosing the specific issue, our technicians have tools that can read the check engine codes, and from there, our professionals can start making repairs to correct the issue and shut off that pesky indicator light.

Should I Stop Driving When My Check Engine Light Powers on?

Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes no—it’s ultimately a case-by-case basis. However, if you don’t know the cause, ask yourself a bigger question: Will it be worth the potential slippery slope of costs that could result from the damages?

Most the time the answer is a hard “no.” In fact, to play it safe, you’ll usually want to contact us the instant you notice your check engine light turn on to help resolve any potential issues while also assisting you in avoiding getting stuck on the side of the road in a bad place or at an inconvenient time—after all, you wouldn’t want to miss an important meeting because you ignored an indicator light, right? So, contact our technicians, and if possible, try to drive as little as possible when your check engine light turns on.

Turning Down the (Check Engine) Lights in Monroeville

Ready to power off your indicator light and get back to drives loaded with peace-of-mind? Schedule check engine light service online today at Spitzer Toyota Monroeville to help restore your smooth cruises. While you’re here, we’re always happy to help in any way possible, whether it’s answering your questions about maintenance and check engine repairs, helping you schedule your service, or letting you know the repair that’s most recommended for your 4Runner to restore to its former glory—it’s only getting started with how we assist you as your local Toyota service department in Monroeville, PA.