Today's automobiles are filled with technologies designed to keep us safe and let us know when something has gone awry. One such warning device is the check engine light, intended to let drivers know when something in the engine needs attention; anything from potentially catastrophic malfunctions to emission control errors to missing fuel caps. Unfortunately, this warning, illuminated in a car's instrument panel, has become so ubiquitous that most drivers ignore the light entirely.
For many, it appears as though the check engine light is always on, and that it serves no useful purpose. Many of these potential issues present no immediate danger in getting motorists from place to place, so no action is taken. This serves to reinforce the idea that the check engine light is nothing to be taken seriously, and that its illumination in your vehicle is no cause for concern. In truth, ignoring this pivotal warning can lead to seriously dangerous situations that threaten the safety of everyone onboard, even if those problems only develop much later on down the road.
In a system as complex as your vehicle's engine, a small defect left running over time can grow and destroy the integrity of the entire machine, leaving you on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck and in need of a new car. Even something as seemingly insignificant as a loose screw or bolt, if left alone for a long enough time, can lead to breakdowns that can cost thousands of dollars to repair. For your engine to work optimally each component must do its part as intended; any breakdowns in normative functioning will hurt its efficiency, eventually leading to a malfunction.
In cases where these minor issues are allowed to grow into serious problems, they are rarely attributed to these small problems. When a transmission fails and needs replacing, or a piston ring is destroyed, the cause is seldom a spontaneous malfunction, but a gradual defect that was allowed to fester. For these reasons, having your vehicle inspected when the check engine light is illuminated is vitally important. Whatever small fees you are required to pay for a mechanic to inspect your vehicle will be more than worth the future fortune you will be forced to spend when a major problem surfaces.
If this inspection reveals an issue, however minor, have it fixed immediately. Be proactive in maintaining your vehicle. Catching a potential problem in its early stages can save you money and prevent the possibility of injury or worse. If left unattended, you become susceptible to dangerous breakdowns, stalls, and malfunctions at any time, even on the freeway at high speeds or in the middle of a crowded intersection. As one of the largest, most expensive, and most important parts of our lives today, our cars deserve adequate upkeep and maintenance.
By performing regular maintenance, like changing your oil on time, checking your tire pressure and tread levels, and investigating issues presented by the check engine light, you can prolong the life of your vehicle and drive confidently, knowing that your car will not suddenly break down, leaving you stranded and looking at a massive repair bill.
