Friday, January 17, 2014

"Check Engine" Light v. "Maintenance Required" Light

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/

The Maintenance Light is a service interval light indicated by the manufacturer. If light stays on solid, it means I have hit the mileage limit for any problem and I need to get the car fixed now. The code will tell the mechanic what specific problem needs to be fixed.  I just now read that when the "Maintenance Required" light comes on, it means the following:

"Usually this means you need engine oil or a scheduled maintenance, in other words, an oil change or a tune-up.  Try the small things first, like adding engine oil or transmission oil or break fluid or even window washer fluid.  If this does not turn off the light, then see a local and trusted AAA Certified Mechanic."
Check engine light is more important for vehicle longevity. Drive-line related. Emissions related. Environmental related. No specific thing causes the light to come on because that light refers to a system within the engine. Solid light means that there's a sensor that has failed or that the sensor isn't working. Air/fuel ratio sensors. Oxygen sensor. Gas-cap sensor. Intake valve leaks. Fuel ratio sensor. Catalytic converter sensor.  One mechanic did suggest to me that the EGR valve light could have been the result of the gas cap having not been sealed properly.

If for any reason you need to, here are the instructions for changing the oxygen sensor near your catalytic converter.  

How to Turn the "Check Engine" Light Off

I learned this morning how to turn the Check Engine light off.  It's a trick.  Your mechanic may tell you that it's a serious problem if your Check Engine light comes on.  It can be a serious problem. What causes the Check Engine light to come on in the first place?  Good question.

Here is a short list:

1.  EGR valve is clogged.
2.  Oil is seriously low.
3.

Here is how to turn the light off.

1.  Depress the mileage reset button before you start your engine.  Hold that reset button down for 15 seconds.  The Check Engine light should turn off.  But keep holding for another 3 seconds after the light goes off before you release the button.  And that turns the light off . . . until the next incident that causes it to turn on.


Clean Intake Manifold, Change Oil, and New Tire

Dec. 27, 2013
Job #1:
Replace EGR (Exhaust Gas Re-circulation)
Cost, $250

Jan. 10, 2014
Job #2:
Clean intake manifold.
Cost, $200
Job #3:
1.  Brake lamp, the one sitting above the back seat, was replaced.
Cost, $10

Jan. 17, 2014
Job #4:
New tire.
New tire valve.
Tire balance.
Cost, $120
Job #5:
New wiper blades.
Cost, $30
Job #6:
Oil Change
Cost, $20   [1 oil filter, $4; 5 quarts oil, $8; labor, $8]