The dreaded Check Engine Light. It’s triggered by a car code, or trouble code, and now you have a looming car repair before that light will turn off and stay off. But what exactly is a car code and how does it work? Most car owners may understand the basics about dashboard lights and trouble codes but may not fully understand how they all work together. No matter your level of knowledge, you can always trust a mechanic from AAMCO to help run diagnostics and understand what repairs should be done on your car.
In modern cars, certain car problems will trigger the electrical system to register a trouble code, which then may trigger a dashboard light to alert you. This can be anything from low tire pressure to a major engine repair, but each time a dashboard light comes on, it’s thanks to a car code. Once a trouble code is triggered and your dashboard light comes on, it’s time to have some diagnostics run on your car.
While some car owners are more comfortable with DIY car diagnostics and auto repairs, they’re not for everyone. If you’re unsure what to do with a car problem you’re experiencing, it’s always best to bring it to a trusted mechanic rather than try to figure it out on your own. Dashboard lights are no different. Each light points to different car repairs and some can be complex to figure out.
Different codes may trigger different dashboard lights, though your Check Engine Light is most commonly triggered by trouble codes. Here are a few different types of car codes that may be triggered due to a necessary auto repair service:
Whether you’re able to check them yourself or bring your car to a mechanic, it helps to have an understanding of what’s going on inside your car’s systems.
If you’re a car-savvy owner, you may already own a car code reader, which makes understanding car codes and dashboard lights easy. When you own your own car code reader, it’s easy to keep an eye on trouble codes regularly, even if they haven’t yet triggered a dashboard light. Otherwise, this is the first tool a mechanic will turn to when you bring your car in to an auto repair shop.
Luckily, when an urgent trouble code is triggered, you’ll be alerted by a dashboard light. This allows you to take care of the problem yourself in certain cases, saving you a trip to the mechanic. However, some trouble codes require attention from a mechanic to accurately diagnose any necessary repairs.
If your Oil Light comes on, it’s a sign you need to add more engine oil to avoid causing damage to the inside of your car’s engine. While this is a simple fix for any car owner, it’s also a temporary fix. If your engine oil is low and needs to be topped off, that signals you’re overdue for an oil change, may have an oil leak, or your engine is burning oil, all of which are more serious car problems. And if you’re planning to add some engine oil yourself, be sure to check your owner’s manual for the correct type of engine oil for your car.
When your Engine Temperature Light comes on, it’s time to get to the side of the road to let your car cool off. Most likely, it’s a problem with your car’s cooling system. If you’re comfortable with it, you can top off your coolant once your engine cools and that may allow you to drive shorter distances. Just like engine oil, be sure to check your owner’s manual for the appropriate type of coolant for your car. And if your cooling system is having trouble, it’s best to have a mechanic take a look soon to avoid more serious auto repairs.
The most complicated dashboard light is the Check Engine Light. That’s because it can point to several different car repairs, from a bad spark plug to more serious engine repairs. This is when car codes come in handy because they will point you or your mechanic in the right direction to quickly diagnose the underlying car problem.
