Top 5 Reasons A Check Engine Light Comes On | Ontario Chrysler Service

There are people who feel unwell and head for the doctor’s office, and others who prefer to ignore signs and symptoms. When it comes to seeing that Check Engine light come on in your vehicle, we encourage drivers in Toronto and Mississauga to be proactive to protect the health and well-being of your automobile. Like your body, your car gets you where you need to go in life, and looking after the little things is always a smart move.

1) An oxygen sensor needs replacing. This is one of the most common reasons you’ll see the Check Engine light come on. The oxygen sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in your car’s exhaust system. If you leave this issue unattended, your car will burn more fuel (who wants that?) and can eventually damage the spark plugs.

2) Faulty, loose or missing gas cap. Again, unless you want to needlessly pay for more fuel, the gas cap’s health does matter, and it’s an easy fix. Your gas cap is more important than you might think: it seals the fuel tank, helps maintain proper pressure in the tank, and keeps fuel fumes from being released into the air. Evaporation means lost fuel, not to mention impacting the air quality around the vehicle. In big cities like Toronto and Mississauga, we all need to do our part, right?

3) Your catalytic converter needs replacing. No driver wants to hear these daunting words, but your car’s catalytic converter has an essential job to do, protecting the environment by converting carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. When it’s not working properly, vehicle performance will be notably reduced and you’re probably going to fail your emissions test. Rule it out, or fix it quickly.

4) The mass airflow sensor is faulty. The MAF sensor measures the amount of air entering your engine, letting it know how much fuel to burn. If yours is malfunctioning, you’ll experience reduced power as well as (again) burning more fuel than necessary. Left unchecked, this vital sensor can damage spark plugs, oxygen sensors or catalytic converter when it’s not up to par.

5) Time to replace spark plugs/wires. Spark plugs ignite the fuel/air mixture that allows your car to operate. Worn out plugs or the wires connecting them to the ignition coil can cause a clogged-up catalytic converter. The performance of your usually peppy vehicle will drop significantly when this happens.

Protect your vehicle in Toronto and Mississauga by visiting our service department. No need to wait for the Check Engine light to come on. Regular maintenance of your car, truck or SUV is always a good investment.

Visit us at Ontario Chrysler.