Many people don't understand the importance of reacting quickly to cars messages. Cars give messages to us by way of warning lights and gauges. How quickly you react to a check engine light can often determine the cost of repair!
As a result of not reacting quickly to this warning light, a $150 valve cover gasket repair can turn into a $2500 head job.
Think of your 'Check Engine' light as a stoplight. No light at all is like a green light...no problems, keep driving. A yellow/steady 'Check Engine' light is like a yellow light...take caution, as something needs attention. A red/blinking 'Check Engine' light is like a red light...stop driving as soon as possible and consult your owner's manual!
For some vehicles, these lights can be related to maintenance and systems controls, but they are most often very serious signals from the vehicle, and are related to lubrication and temperature control systems. If these lights are, in fact, related to temperature or oil warnings, the car should be towed to a shop. High temperature and a lack of lubrication are the most common deathblows to engines and transmissions.
The diagnostic approach to solving engine warning lights is much like the approach of a doctor to diagnose an illness. The doctor will do an overall exam to establish the area of a problem. From the information gathered in this initial exam, he may recommend further diagnostic procedures to pinpoint the root cause and the proper solution. Technicians have specific and sophisticated diagnostic routines to solve problems related to these various system lights.
The days of the uneducated mechanic are gone. Today's technicians are highly trained and educated people who can solve problems on our high tech, multiple computer cars and trucks. A good technician has the correct solution to solve the warning light signals of today's vehicles.