Check Engine Light On?
By Debbie Stuart

….Or it could be that little “engine” drawing, or your “Service Engine Soon” light. What does it all mean? Well, for one thing, check to make certain your gas cap has been properly closed after refueling. It alone can set a “code”, or turn on the light.

Don’t panic. If your car seems to be operating normally, there is no need to stop driving. However, if your CHECK ENGINE light is flashing at one second intervals, DO STOP DRIVING. You might damage your catalytic converters ($$$$).

Either way, you DO need to determine why the light has been set. Come on by, and we will help you determine what needs to be done. But, don’t wait till the last minute before your State Inspection expires to stop in.

Why can’t I get my car inspected right after repair?

Great question!! If you have an OBDII emission system (1996 and on), your car will have to complete DRIVE
CYCLES before you can get it inspected.

What the heck are DRIVE CYCLES??

Your car must go through a series of self-tests to determine that all it’s systems are “GO”. In general, you
must drive your car under the following conditions, with the following parameters:

• Fuel level between 25% and 75%.
• Start car cold, and then let it idle for 3 minutes with no throttle input. Don’t play with the gas pedal!
• Constant driving at 20-30mph for about 4 minutes.
• Constant driving at 40-60mph for approx 15 minutes.
• Then, engine idling approximately 5 minutes.
• The sequence above will be interrupted if the engine speed exceeds 3000rpms, if the driving speed
  exceeds 60mph, or if there are large fluctuations in the accelerator pedal position. So don’t goose it!

Your car will accomplish these cycles on it’s own over a few days of normal driving. Then, you should stop by the shop BEFORE you head to State Inspection, just to make sure your car is ready for inspection. Veerry interesting, don’t you think?

If your car is pre-1996, your life will be a little easier. It will still have to pass the “sniff test” (emissions check) at the State Inspection station. We can “sniff” pre-96 cars to make sure they will pass before you go to State Inspection as well.

All of this means that we are all driving BMWs and MINIs that are helping to create and maintain cleaner air.
A good goal for all involved.