Understanding Your Lincoln Car Repair Needs With Engine Diagnostics

Without help from your check engine light, you’d find it much harder to know when your vehicle is dealing with problems under the hood. Once this light turns on, local drivers know that they need car maintenance or auto repair in Lincoln, NE. But there’s a catch: a check engine light alone can’t tell you exactly what issues your car is dealing with.
Fortunately, you don’t have to guess what this indicator means — at least, not when you visit a car mechanic for engine diagnostics. Reputable auto repair shops have access to powerful tools that can determine what’s going on in your car with ease. In this article, we explain how these tools work with your car’s diagnostic system to help you proactively maintain your vehicle.
How Your Diagnostic System Works
Your car’s check engine light is connected to its on-board diagnostics (OBD) system, which uses sensors to keep an eye out for potential problems with your vehicle. When it notices a red flag, the OBD system generates an error code corresponding to the issue at hand. It also activates one or more warning lights on your dashboard to alert you to the situation.
However, you won’t know exactly what’s going on in your vehicle at this point. To get that information, you’ll need help from the professional mechanics working at your trusted auto repair shop. They use code readers and other specialized tools — and by using this equipment, they can connect to your car’s OBD system and read the error codes it has stored.
What Issues Can Activate Your Check Engine Light?
Your car’s check engine light can turn for numerous reasons, including:
- Issues with your catalytic converter
- Internal engine trouble
- Mass airflow sensor damage
- Spark plug failure
- A malfunctioning oxygen sensor
- A loose gas cap
Some of these problems are relatively minor, so it can be tempting to ignore your check engine light until you notice other signs of trouble. However, this is never a good idea — if you’re dealing with one of the more significant issues listed above, waiting to deal with it could have catastrophic results. Instead of taking that risk, visit a nearby car repair shop as soon as this light illuminates.
That said, there’s one way to get a rough idea of how severe your problem is before you visit a Lincoln auto repair business for service. To do that, keep an eye on what your check engine light is doing:
- If the light is solid, you could be dealing with a minor issue or a more severe situation. Though you should never ignore a solid check engine light, your vehicle probably isn’t facing an immediate threat, either.
- If the light is flashing, your vehicle is almost certainly dealing with a major problem (including an engine misfire). The moment you spot a flashing check engine light, pull to the side of the road and make plans to get auto repair service.
Visit the Best Lincoln Auto Repair Shop
As a responsible driver, you know that paying attention to your check engine light is crucial. That’s why you shouldn’t visit just any shop for auto repair in Lincoln. Choosing the wrong car mechanic for these services, they could deliver shoddy workmanship that doesn’t actually resolve your problem and could make it worse. Additionally, some businesses may overcharge you for their work.
While diagnostic tools are available for purchase, it's not recommended to handle auto diagnostics on your own. Using these tools and interpreting the codes often requires mechanical expertise. Ultimately, you will need a mechanic to address the issues your vehicle is facing.
If you need to figure out what issues your car has encountered, look no further than T.O. Haas Tire & Auto! When you visit your nearest T.O. Haas location, our team of ASE-certified mechanics will identify your issue right away. Then, they’ll take care of your vehicle by delivering the best repair and maintenance services this community has to offer.
On top of everything else, you’ll be able to save on our services thanks to our valuable coupons. The next time your check engine light turns on, take care of it by scheduling an appointment with T.O. Haas!