Recommended for you

Learn Why Your Check Engine Light Is On (Free!)

Before you have a mechanic diagnose why your check engine light came on, here's what you should do:

Apr 30, 2019

Learn Why Your Check Engine Light Is On (Free!)

With Spring sports starting, my daily calendar has gone from "busy" to "ridiculous." Essentially I'm a glorified chauffeur after about 3pm, and all day Saturday. So, what's the keystone that holds everything in place? Besides maybe my iPhone, there's nothing more important than my minivan.

So, you can imagine my concern last week when the, "check engine" light came on just before an epic weekend of soccer, softball, and birthday parties.

To make a long story short, I did what every responsible mother would think to do: I took it to a local garage and paid to have someone tell me (the stupid reason) why it was on.

Well, after fixing the problem, I am poorer in money, but richer in knowledge. Here are my tips for what to do if your check engine light comes on, and how to get it diagnosed for free.

1. Don't Freak Out!

When the owner of a garage sees a despondent parent walking through the door with a car problem, it must be like a spider seeing a fat housefly approaching it's web. If you look desperate and need something fixed immediately, it's going to cost you more!

2. It's Probably Not Serious

There are a number of somewhat costly reasons why your check engine light might go on, but you should be OK to drive your car for a couple of days until you can get it checked out. It could be something like a bad oxygen sensor, which can cost a couple hundred dollars, but isn't an emergency repair.

In other words, no need to make a beeline for the closest garage to overpay and and wreck the rest of your day.

Ready to hear why my check engine light was on?

A loose gas cap!

3. Is Your Gas Cap Tightened?

Yes, a loose gas cap is listed as one of the top reasons why a check engine light will go on. Did I mention that the mechanic charged me $50 to diagnose that!

You see, I live in New Jersey where we don't pump our own gas. Turns out the guy who filled my tank last didn't screw the cap on tightly, and soon after I left the gas station my car sensed that something was wrong and tried to tell me so, in its limited vocabulary.

4. Get It Checked for Free

OK, I wasted an hour and $50 having a mechanic scan my minivan's computer to see why my check engine light came on, but you don't have to. In fact, you can go to a local automotive chain store like Advance Auto or AutoZone, and they will scan it for free! Now, they may not have a definitive answer and advise you to go to a garage, but many times they can figure it out, or even fix it as one of their free services. These free services also include free wiper installation, battery testing, and oil change specials for those who are into DIY. (Not me!)

In Conclusion...

I'm not a handy person, and when something goes wrong with my car or anything mechanical, I'm likely to just stare at it while making monkey noises. However, after wasting $50 to learn that my gas cap was loose, I can at least pass on this tidbit of automotive knowledge to other women.

So, before you spend a dime on fixing your check-engine light, check your gas cap first. If it doesn't seem tight, give it a turn or two, and then see if your check engine light goes off in the next day.

If it's still on, consider stopping by your local auto parts store for a free diagnosis. Good luck!

From Your Site Articles

The 5 Stages Of Being Stranded On An Interstate ›

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

35044

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

98375

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

Learn Why Your Check Engine Light Is On (Free!)

Before you have a mechanic diagnose why your check engine light came on, here's what you should do:

1. Don't Freak Out!

2. It's Probably Not Serious

3. Is Your Gas Cap Tightened?

4. Get It Checked for Free

In Conclusion...

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Arts Entertainment

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter