Dave's Auto Repair

The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some Petaluma drivers and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us in California.

First, if your Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at Petaluma highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma.

If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your Petaluma service advisor to get it checked out.

Some more information from Dave’s Auto Repair on how the Check Engine Light works may be informative. Most of your Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in Petaluma.

In order to make these adjustments, the Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light.

The Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine Light.

If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru looked at at Dave’s Auto Repair. Your Considerate service technician will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give your Dave’s Auto Repair technician a starting place as he diagnoses the cause of the problem.

At Dave’s Auto Repair, we also offer Brake Service and Transmission Service, Brake Service & Repair, Tune Up, Check Engine.

Give us a call

Dave’s Auto Repair
707.763.8365
1911 Bodega Avenue
Petaluma, California 94952

At Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma California (94952) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 707.763.8365. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The following Check Engine Light video is presented by Dave’s Auto Repair:

The following Check Engine Light animation is presented by Dave’s Auto Repair:

When your check engine light comes on, you may be torn between utter panic and just wanting to ignore it and hope it goes away. That’s perfectly understandable. That same check engine light could come on for anything from a serious engine or transmission problem all the way down to a loose gas cap.

There’s a very common misconception that the trouble codes stored in your engine computer when your check engine light comes on will specifically identify a problem. It’s really more like pointing to the symptoms of a problem.

Call Dave’s Auto Repair at 707.763.8365 for help with your check engine light.

Think of taking your temperature. Say it’s 101. Your heat sensor – the thermometer – tells you that your temperature is out of the normal range. But it doesn’t tell you why you have a fever. Is it the flu or a sinus infection? You need more information; more tests.

For any given trouble code, there could be a number of causes. So your trained technician takes the trouble code as a starting point and begins a diagnostic process to determine the cause of the problem. And some problems take longer to solve than others.

When your engine management system logs a problem and illuminates the check engine light, your Petaluma service technician at Dave’s Auto Repair will plug in a scanner, download the trouble codes and go to work tracing the cause of the problem.

That’s just the first step. That’s when your technician’s training, equipment, databases and skill get put to work diagnosing the problem and fixing it.

If your check engine light is flashing it means that the problem could lead to serious damage. You should get to your local Petaluma CA service center as soon as possible to get the problem solved. If it’s on but not flashing, you have some time to get in at your convenience.

At Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma CA we install quality NAPA replacement parts. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.