2018 Chevrolet Equinox Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light Service 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevrolet Equinox and suddenly, a yellow light brightens on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Chevrolet owners, your heart sinks a scant because you have scant idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the estimate of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t imply you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is recommended that you get your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox checked as soon as functional. Ignoring that warning could end up causing central damage to expensive engine components.

When your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t authentic, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is mostly labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”

When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that identifies as the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Chevrolet auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you select that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an skilled technical to find out the issue and repair it.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most usually misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few distinctive ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a mixture of things for your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can represent a variety of different things. It can be as plain as your gas cap being loose or as important as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. Our Chevrolet service department can assist you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis today!

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that slight light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, also known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Equinox. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a slight patience, tackling big diagnostics will give you appropriate knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is actually supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, indisputable and practical vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of achievable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of achievable reasons for the light, including:

• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• Bad Spark Plugs
• Old Battery
• O2 Sensor
• Computer output circuit issues
• Emissions controls issues
• Transmission issues
• Ignition system faults
• Fuel and air metering systems problems

This is why it is competent for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis at 3176435230 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a strict concern, you risk damaging your car additional by not repairing the issue right away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out rapidly by a certified Chevrolet mechanic.

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is difficult to predict how many miles you can commute with the warning light on. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. If you check engine light is glaring, we recommend that you pull over and contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis to help determine if your vehicle is protected to commute in or if we recommend a tow truck.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are countless possible causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are bountiful active causes incorporating something as authentic as a loose gas cap. Substitute active reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty head gasket, damaged oxygen sensor, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty emissions control part, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Chevrolet Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as crucial to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Chevrolet issue was fixed.

Every 2018 Chevrolet Equinox was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its hard systems. The sensors are commonly detecting conditions while sending data to the computerized control unit. If the computerized control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light lights up telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what absolutely is culpable nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Excessively Qualified Service experienced.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is going helpful, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that deposit and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as real as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a hazardous problem that could cause hazardous damage to your engine and come with a great repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow normally means something less hazardous but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in hazardous trouble and service is needed suddenly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, we very recommend not to drive the car and schedule Chevrolet service today. Below is a list of the most amiable reasons your check engine light can come on:

• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the payment of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less correct when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause wear and tear to your catalytic converter and your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the right variety of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A harmful O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
• One of the most common and plentiful cause is that your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox serves multiple purposes. It prevents gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a harmful fuel cap? If your gas cap is classic or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on today after you put gas in your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, first thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or alternative item can wreak havoc on your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox if it’s not installed accurately. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even avoid the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound affable, bring your Equinox to Chevrolet and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a scant bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and wear and tear caused by poor installation work corrected.
• Your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has a vacuum leak. Every Chevrolet Equinox has a vacuum system that performs a wide collection of functions. The vacuum system also helps reduce destructive emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme bitter.
• Your catalytic converter is harmful or going harmful. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is usually caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Chevrolet service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause alternative problems from overheating.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Chevrolet Equinox is what determines how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently by measuring the payment of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to definite changes, like altitude. If your Chevrolet Equinox is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a harmful mass airflow sensor.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel variety in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are harmful or classic, you will experience poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or wear and tear to ignition coils and O2 sensors, major to more expensive repairs.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is every necessary. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did plentiful decades ago, and they don't really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Chevrolet you drive, but check our actual service coupons and specials.

Is it safe to drive your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a strict issue and it is recommended to service your Chevrolet Equinox promptly. This question is not very commonplace because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to drive. This is generally indicated by a persistent glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the vehicle, it could be an indication of a more strict problem. Call the advisors at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis by dialing 3176435230 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2018 Chevrolet to our certified mechanics as soon as potential.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox starts flashing, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your Chevrolet should be brought in expeditiously. A flashing light expresses that the problem is exacting and if not taken care of expeditiously may result in major damage to the automobile. This glaring light usually indicates a rigorous engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be ditched into the exhaust system. There it can now raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is conceivable, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can exactly be the cause. A harmful, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is ignored or you continue to travel to work, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a highly expensive repair. If your check engine light is glaring, please contact our team of automotive advisors at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis immediately by calling 3176435230.

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The central cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is naturally between $88 and $111. The decisive news, Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help embrace the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not well tightened to a more dangerous failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it decisive to get the comfortable code reading and diagnosis.