Top Reasons Your Check Engine Light is On

If your check engine light comes on, it can be a bit of a scare. You may not know what is wrong, and you may feel like you will have to spend a lot of money to fix it. In most cases, this is not the case. If you only rent a car, you may not have to worry about it. However, how old do you have to be to rent a car? Well, that all depends on the company, you are renting from. The average is 21 years old, but some companies allow drivers as young as 18. Your car’s check engine light can come on for various reasons, some of which are nothing to worry about. This blog post will go over the top 10 reasons your check engine light might be on and what you can do about it.

Loose Gas Cap

One of the most common reasons your check engine light may come on is due to a loose or damaged gas cap. This can cause your car to lose fuel efficiency and produce harmful emissions. If your gas cap is loose, tighten it until it clicks. If it is damaged, you will need to replace it. You can usually find a replacement gas cap at your local auto parts store. Sometimes, a loose or damaged gas cap may not be the only issue.

If your check engine light is still on after you have tightened or replaced the gas cap, there may be a problem with your car’s fuel system. This is something that a professional mechanic should check. You need to replace it.

Failing Oxygen Sensor

The oxygen sensor is responsible for monitoring the air-fuel mixture in your engine. It will trigger the check engine light if it senses that the mixture is too rich or too lean. A failing oxygen sensor can also cause your engine to run inefficiently and waste fuel. In some cases, it can even cause damage to your catalytic converter. If your check engine light is on and you suspect a failing oxygen sensor, have it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.

Failing Catalytic Converter

A failing catalytic converter is one of the most common reasons your check engine light may be on. Your catalytic converter is responsible for reducing harmful emissions from your vehicle, so if it’s not functioning properly, it can trigger your check engine light. If you think your catalytic converter may be failing, it’s important to have it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.

The top reasons we have listed are just a few of the most common causes for your check engine light to come on. If you are experiencing problems with your car and the check engine light comes on, it is always best to take it to a mechanic for diagnosis. They will be able to accurately determine what is wrong and provide you with a solution.