Check Your Gas Cap First

An illuminated check engine light elicits a range of emotions. Some people put a piece of tape over it and pretend it doesn’t exist. While others immediately feel a sense of panic followed by an array of questions. What does it mean? What should I do? How much will this cost? A check engine light (or CEL) has been installed in every car sold in the U.S. since 1996 to monitor the health of your car’s emission control system. The Austin’s Pro Max team is here to tell you not to ignore it. Your service engine light can indicate an array of problems. The only way to properly troubleshoot is by coming into our Tacoma, Washington, location for complete check engine light diagnostics. In the meantime, here are a few notes from our mechanics.

Check For a Loose Gas Cap.

Check to make sure your gas cap is on and tight. Leaving your gas cap off or loose will cause the diagnostic system to illuminate the check engine light. If that doesn’t fix the problem, then give us a call.

Is The CEL Flashing or Lit?

If your check engine light is illuminated, that indicates a minor problem that you should address at your first convenience. Don’t wait too long because a small problem will snowball into a significant problem quickly. A flashing check engine light is an emergency and needs to be addressed ASAP! Drive straight to our Tacoma location for a diagnostic evaluation. Not sure if it’s okay to drive? Give us a call, and we’ll help steer you in the right direction.

Can You Self-Diagnose?

We speak diagnostic code! If you have an OBD-II reader to pull trouble codes that help pinpoint the problem, then yes. A trouble code identifies the general area of the problem, not the exact problem. And there are hundreds of potential codes. It’s best to bring your vehicle to an ASE-Certified technician like Austin’s Pro Max. We have invested in the training and equipment to diagnose the problem and complete repairs quickly.

How Do You Turn Off the Light?

Most people don’t have the equipment or experience needed to determine the exact problem. One call to Austin’s Pro Max in Tacoma, Washington, is all you need. No need for Google or YouTube. Our certified pros will run check engine light diagnostics for an accurate diagnosis. We’ll clearly outline our findings, recommend a solution, and make the repairs you approve beforehand. Problem solved! Plus, to avoid major repair services, schedule routine maintenance services with us. Regular oil changes allow our mechanics to identify problems before they become catastrophic and expensive.