Taking Advantage of Your Dashboard Visitors

Your dashboard lights aren’t just there to stress you out they’re trying to tell you something. Most notably, that glowing check engine light (also known as the malfunction indicator lamp or MIL) is more than a warning it's a built-in opportunity to catch problems before they turn into expensive headaches.

Here’s how to use your dashboard visitors to your advantage and why you should never ignore them.

Your Car’s Way of Saying “Something’s Up”

When your check engine light comes on, your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics system (OBD) has detected an issue. This could be anything from a loose gas cap to a misfiring engine. Ignoring it can lead to serious damage, but checking it early gives you the chance to prevent major repairs.

What Are Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)?

When that little orange engine light pops up, your car’s computer creates one or more diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). These codes help pinpoint the issue and are the starting point for accurate diagnostics.

You can scan these codes with a handheld OBD scanner or just swing by ABC Auto Repair in Burien, and we’ll scan and interpret them for you.

3 Common DTCs You Might See

Here are a few of the most common codes we see at the shop:

• P0420 / P0430 – Catalyst system efficiency below threshold
• P0171 / P0174 – Fuel system running too lean
• P0300-series – Random or multiple cylinder misfires

Each of these requires attention, but don’t panic. Often, it’s a fixable issue if caught early.

Narrowing Down the Problem

The check engine light helps mechanics zero in on potential problem areas saving time, money, and guesswork. With the right tools, we can pull live data from your car’s computer and quickly pinpoint the exact problem, whether it’s a bad sensor, misfire, emissions issue, or something else.

It’s Also About Preventative Maintenance

Treat your check engine light as a maintenance opportunity, not just a repair alert. Taking care of small issues now helps you avoid bigger problems later. It can also:

• Improve fuel efficiency
• Extend engine life
• Lower emissions
• Keep your vehicle more reliable year-round

Check Engine Light On in Burien? We’ve Got You.

If your dashboard is lighting up or if that check engine light just won’t go away come see the pros at ABC Auto Repair. We'll scan your codes, explain what’s going on, and help you take the next step.