You’re driving down the road somewhere in Illinois, maybe even Ringwood, Illinois, and you suddenly notice an amber light in the dashboard is burning brightly. Upon closer examination, you notice that it reads: Check Engine. No, you don’t have to panic. Depending on how your vehicle is otherwise operating, you may not even have to pull to the side of the road and call a tow truck to bring your car to a mechanic. But, a Check Engine warning light is something you don’t want to ignore.

When your car tells you to Check Engine, it’s a good idea to listen; it’s a good time idea to bring your car to a mechanic soon. A mechanic will diagnose the problem in fairly short order. A mechanic is trained to know what to do when the Check engine light comes on.

The Check engine light, which may appear as a small outline of an engine or with the actual words – “Check Engine” – comes on as an indication of a potential problem. It’s triggered by the onboard diagnostics system, or as your mechanic might put it, the OBD system. The OBD system regulates numerous aspects of your cars performance, including fuel mixture, timing, RPM and other factors that, when out of whack, will turn on your check engine light while also, possibly, affecting the way your car drives.

Of course, when your car tells you to Check Engine, you might also want to pay attention to anything else out of the ordinary – things you can tell your mechanic to give him or her an idea of where the problem lies. Has the car started to run sluggishly? Does it seem like the motor is running roughly? It’s possible the Check engine light will indicate something more serious that would require the immediate attention a mechanic. Then again, in some cars, a loose gas cap will trigger the Check engine light.

There are scan tools available to the general public that will diagnose the problem when the Check engine light comes on. However, a skilled mechanic is still a safe bet when dealing with such instances.

Another note about Check engine lights; if you live in an area that requires Vehicle Emission Testing, a Check engine light will indicate a condition that would cause your vehicle to fail – another good reason to bring your car to a mechanic ASAP. At Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, the mechanics will have you safely back on the road in no time.

For more information, visit www.4performanceunlimited.com or call 815-728-0343.