Check Engine Light Service 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Chevrolet Traverse and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Chevrolet owners, your heart sinks a miniature because you have miniature idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t indicate 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 Traverse checked as soon as feasible. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to expensive engine components.
When your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t slight, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is consistently 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 computerized scan tool that is used by our Chevrolet auto repair mechanics at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis. There are also a number of relatively low-cost code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you pick that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to learn the issue and repair it.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse 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 authentic, 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 Traverse light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount 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.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are bountiful ability causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are many adequate causes including something as superb as a loose gas cap. Substitute adequate reasons for a Check Engine Light are dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty head gasket, damaged oxygen sensor, faulty emissions control part, 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 mandatory 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 Traverse was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its fundamental systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what exactly is untrue 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 Highly Qualified Service professional.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not perfectly tightened to a more critical failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it distinguished to get the accurate code reading and diagnosis. The average price for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The distinguished news, Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help pick the cause of your check engine light.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as pragmatic as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a threatening problem that could cause threatening damage to your engine and come with a big repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A convenient glow consistently means something less threatening but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in threatening trouble and service is needed immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, we particularly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule Chevrolet service today. Below is a list of the most prevailing reasons your check engine light can come on:
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or additional item can wreak havoc on your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse if it’s not installed subsequently. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound friendly, bring your Traverse to Chevrolet and have our team of certified technicians ensure that your aftermarket items were installed subsequently and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, notably aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts initial place might cost a microscopic bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
- One of the most instinctive and frequent cause is that your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse 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 bad fuel cap? If your gas cap is long-established 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 urgently after you put gas in your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, initial thing you should check is to make positive the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
- Your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has a vacuum leak. Every Chevrolet Traverse has a vacuum system that performs a expanded variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps reduce harmful 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 barren out and crack, notably if they’re exposed to important heat or extreme chilled.
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, acknowledged as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be fewer reasonable 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 damage to your catalytic converter and your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to represent the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Chevrolet Traverse is what determines how much fuel is basic to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to aware changes, like altitude. If your Chevrolet Traverse 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 bad mass airflow sensor.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse’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 Traverse 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 additional problems from overheating.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are basic for your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run. The spark plug wires bring the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or long-established, 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 damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, big to more expensive repairs.
- The battery is meager or dead. The battery in your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is every tremendous. 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 a few decades ago, and they don't genuinely require maintenance. The value of a new one depends on the type of Chevrolet you drive, but check our common service coupons and specials.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse Check Engine Light
If the check engine light in your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse starts glaring, that means that the problem needs quick attention and your Chevrolet should be delivered in immediately. A glaring light hints that the problem is hazardous and if not taken care of immediately may result in leading damage to the vehicle. This flashing light frequently illustrates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be ejected into the exhaust system. There it can quickly 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 specifically be the cause. A bad, historic or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis rapidly by calling 3176435230. If the problem is ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very costly repair.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little 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 established as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Traverse. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can opt for. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you advantageous knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is surely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, marvelous and advantageous vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of conceivable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of conceivable reasons for the light, including:
- Old Battery
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Emissions controls issues
- O2 Sensor
- Transmission issues
- Computer output circuit issues
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Ignition system faults
This is why it is vital for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out hastily by a certified Chevrolet mechanic. 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 alarming concern, you risk damaging your vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most typically misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in countless explicit 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 vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a range of things for your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. Some of these include controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of contrasting things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, 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!
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
It could be anything from a harmful sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. If you check engine light is flashing, we recommend that you pull over and contact Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis to help pick if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is not easy to predict how countless miles you can drive with the warning light on.
Is it safe to drive your 2018 Chevrolet Traverse with the check engine light on?
If the check engine light is twinkling, this means that there is a serious issue and it is recommended to service your Chevrolet Traverse swiftly. This question is not tremendously authentic 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 typically indicated by a essential 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 alarming problem. Call the consultants at Bill Estes Chevy Indianapolis by dialing 3176435230 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and bring your 2018 Chevrolet to our certified mechanics as soon as attainable.