Check Engine Light in Fredericksburg, VA

Check Engine Light

Providing You With a Clear Picture

At Potomac Creek Automotive, we offer comprehensive engine light diagnostic and repair services for motorists all over Fredericksburg, Virginia. Our ASE Certified technicians utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and the latest repair tools to handle any issue your vehicle is experiencing, whether that’s a dying battery or a bad catalytic converter. We make sure you know what’s going on with your vehicle so you can make the best decision for it! By the end of your visit, that pesky engine light will be gone from your vehicle.

How to Handle It

When the check engine light is triggered, it’s important that you understand how to respond. Although the light doesn’t provide a lot of information, it does give you enough so you know what to do next. By properly deciphering the light and its message, you’ll be able to act appropriately to ensure your vehicle doesn’t sustain any damage. If you ever see the light in your vehicle, here’s how you should approach it!

Understand it’s Status

When the check engine light is on, you want to pay attention to how it’s lighted and colored. If it’s flashing and red, that’s your vehicle telling you something is severely wrong and that you need to stop driving immediately. A common reason for a flashing light is that the engine is misfiring, which could cause major damage if not serviced quickly. In this situation, we recommend a visit to our shop as soon as possible.

If you see that the light is steady and orange, that indicates a minor problem going on within your vehicle. In this event, it’s fine to continue driving your vehicle but we still recommend a service visit at your first convenience. Driving with the light on could worsen the issue and turn it into a bigger problem, which can lead to a more expensive repair bill.

Check the Gas Cap

If the light is steady, the first thing you should check is the gas cap, as a loose cap is a common trigger for the check engine light. Make sure that the cap is either tightened or replaced. If you need the cap replaced, many auto parts stores sell them at a relatively low cost. Once either action is completed, drive a few miles and see how the vehicle’s computer system responds. If the light shuts off, you’re good to go! If not, that’s when you’ll need to schedule a visit with us, as we have the tools to properly determine and fix whatever caused the light.

Schedule an Appointment

If you notice the check engine light in our vehicle, don’t drive around and ignore it. Make sure to act quickly, as there could be a variety of issues that are getting worse the longer you wait. Potomac Creek Automotive in Fredericksburg, Virginia offers a comprehensive check engine light diagnostic and repair service to ensure you understand what’s going on with your vehicle and have it fixed. Whether it’s a bad spark plug or failing O2 sensor, we make sure all of it is taken care of. Give us a call at (540) 657-1010 to schedule your engine light diagnostic service today! If you’re in the area, feel free to visit us and schedule your visit in person! We’re located on 44 Potomac Creek Drive. We can’t wait to improve your driving experience!