Hidden Dangers of Ignoring the Check Engine Light of your Car in Birmingham, AL

Catalytic Converter Failure

One of the most severe consequences of ignoring the check engine light is damage to your car’s catalytic converter, a crucial part of its exhaust system. The catalytic converter in your vehicle converts the carbon monoxide produced by combustion into carbon dioxide, reducing exhaust emissions. On failure, it reduces your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and performance. When you neglect the initial warnings, it causes the catalytic converter to overwork and eventually leads to failure. If your car’s check engine light starts to flicker, you need a professional auto repair shop like ours at Franklin Automotive to fix it swiftly.

Decreased Fuel Efficiency and Performance

An illuminated check engine light will let you know about various issues existing under the hood of your car. The problem could be as small as having a loose gas cap or as big as the failure of the engine. Ignoring this check engine light can lead to decreased performance and low fuel efficiency over time. Like, a faulty oxygen sensor can send false information about the air-fuel mixture to the car’s computer. This can result in your engine burning more fuel than is necessary. These problems affect your overall vehicle health. If you are having more frequent trips to the fuel station, drive into any of our garages near you in Trussville and Vestavia, AL, to have your car inspected, as your oxygen sensor might be faulty.

Damage to the Engine

Another hidden danger of overlooking the check engine light is the potential for engine damage. Many engine issues can be resolved with relatively simple fixes if they are caught early. However, leaving these problems unaddressed can lead to more serious issues that are more expensive to resolve. For example, a blinking check engine light often indicates a severe misfire, which allows unburned fuel to dump into the exhaust system and can raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a dangerous point, causing severe engine damage. To prevent costly repairs, drive into our auto shop located near you in Vestavia and Pelham, AL, for a thorough diagnosis of your dashboard warning lights.

Things to Do When Your Check Engine Light Comes on in Birmingham, AL

• First, check your dashboard for the light. It would be an exclamation within a triangle or “Check Engine.”
• Do not panic, as it is just a notification, not necessarily an emergency.
• Check the light’s behaviour pattern. Is it constant illumination or blinking
• A steady light indicates a non-emergency situation, whereas a flashing CEL light means there is an emergency, so you need to pull over to the roadside.
• Pay attention to your temperature and oil pressure gauges
• Reduce speed and load to put down the unnecessary stress on a potentially compromised engine

Get in Touch with the Best Auto Experts in Birmingham, AL

At Franklin Automotive, located near you in Birmingham, AL, we are committed to providing car owners with the check engine light and other repairs they won’t find anywhere else. We are the best auto shop in town because:

• Our ASE-Master certified technicians have the expertise and experience to identify potential problems before they escalate.
• We provide you with a comfortable waiting area with free WiFi, complimentary coffee, snacks, and beverages.
• We have clean restrooms on-site for your convenience.
• We are providing free key fob battery replacement and free tire rotation.
• We have loaner cars available for your use.
• We provide after-hours pick-up and drop-off.
• We also offer complimentary shuttle service within a 10-mile radius of our store.