The appearance of the check engine light can often induce panic among drivers. This is a natural response, as immediate concerns about the vehicle shutting off on a busy road and potential repair costs arise. Some people who don’t have a trusted auto care shop also wonder who they can trust to fix it without ripping them off.
Driven Auto Care in Fremont, CA offers advanced vehicle testing services to determine with certainty what will repair your vehicle and turn off the check engine light. We have state-of-the-art testing equipment, attend regular training on testing procedures and tooling, and significant experience required to pinpoint the problem correctly the first time.
Driven Auto Care takes pride in guaranteeing our testing. We don’t just throw parts at your vehicle hoping that we fix the problem. We go the extra mile to verify the cause of your check engine light or other dashboard warning lights and make the correct call the first time, saving you time and money avoiding going back to the shop for additional repairs after the first guess doesn’t work.
When You Notice the Check Engine Light
First, if you have the radio on, turn it off so you can hear. Listen for any strange noises. If you don’t hear anything and the vehicle seems to be running fine, check the gauges. If the oil pressure is stable and there’s no sign of overheating, you have some assurance that it is likely safe to continue driving to Driven Auto Care in Fremont, CA.
If you notice the check engine light is flashing, you hear noises, the vehicle is overheating, or the oil pressure is too low, pull off the road immediately and shut the vehicle off. For overheating and low oil pressure, immediately is not soon enough, but don’t get into a wreck trying to get off.
Arrange for a tow truck to bring your vehicle to Driven Auto Care in Fremont, CA, and avoid restarting the engine.
If the vehicle is running rough and the oil pressure and engine temperature are fine, pull off the road as soon as it is safe to do so. Many vehicles have a limp home mode that will give you enough time to get off the road or even get to an auto repair shop as long as you are within a mile or two of the shop.
If you are close, don’t “push” the vehicle. Get to the shop as safely as possible, or pull off the road and call a tow truck. While the limp home mode enables you to exit traffic, it restricts your speed regardless of accelerator pressure. It’s a safety feature to keep you from further damaging the engine. In most cases, once you turn the vehicle off, it will not start until you make repairs.
What the Check Engine Light Means
The Engine Control Module (ECM) manages multiple sensors and receives data from others. When it finds an out-of-range signal and can’t adjust the air-to-fuel mixture to bring the reading within range, the ECM stores a trouble code and illuminates the check engine light.
Some of these codes may be serious, and some not so serious, but you won’t know until your diagnostic technician at Driven Auto Care in Fremont CA plugs in and reads the codes. The codes don’t tell us exactly what is wrong but point us in the right direction.
For example, an oxygen sensor code can mean:
- The oxygen sensor is malfunctioning.
- The wiring to the oxygen sensor is broken.
- The air-to-fuel mixture is outside of the computer’s parameters.
- The exhaust system has a leak or a clog.
As part of the diagnostic testing process, we examine your vehicle for evidence of other, potentially related issues, such as black smoke coming from the tailpipe, live data from your ECM showing incorrect sensor readings, another part of the ignition system failing, or other trouble codes related to connected components on the vehicle.
Our job is to use our expertise and various means of testing, including advanced equipment to pinpoint, the first time, what exactly is causing the problem, make the repairs and get you back on the road as quickly and reliably as possible.
Is Your Check Engine Light On? Let Driven Auto Care Put Your Mind at Ease!
Seeing that dreaded check engine light can be stressful, but don’t panic – Driven Auto Care in Fremont, CA is here for you. Whether you’re driving a gas-powered, hybrid, or electric vehicle, our expert technicians have got you covered. Prioritize your vehicle’s health and your peace of mind. Give us a call at (510) 319-2188 or drop by our convenient location at 40931 Albrae St., Fremont, CA 94538. Let’s get that light off and have you cruising with confidence again!
