You’re cruising along the highway in your Honda, not a care in the world and then you glance at the dashboard only to see that the check engine light has popped on. Now you’re confused because you don’t know whether your car will stop running on the highway or how much it would cost to fix the issue. If you find yourself in this situation, the best course of action is to drive to a trusted auto repair shop.
If the check engine light if flashing, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and shut off the engine – running the engine at this point could cause significant damage
What does the check engine light mean?
When the check engine light in your Honda illuminates, it could be due to a variety of things. Here are some common reasons to know:
Loose gas cap
This is a surprisingly frequent cause of the check engine light turning “on”, so it should be the first place you check. It could be that you didn’t screw the gas cap all the way or it’s faulty and needs to be replaced.
Oxygen sensor
The oxygen sensor monitors and measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust system. When it’s faulty, it can cause your Honda’s computer to supply the engine with too much or too little fuel. The solution here is to replace the sensor.
Failing catalytic converter
Catalytic converters are responsible for reducing the emissions of your vehicle and changing the toxic gases from your engine’s emissions into safe compounds. Fortunately, catalytic converters rarely fail, but when they do, the repair is quite expansive.
Spark plug or ignition coil failure
When one of your spark plugs or ignition coils fails, your check engine light comes on to let you know that they need to be replaced. You may also notice that the engine misfires, or it may even stall.
Dirty or failing mass airflow sensor
The mass airflow sensor helps your Honda’s computer inject the right amount of fuel into the engine for optimum performance. Like other parts of your vehicle, this sensor is also susceptible to oil and dirt buildup. When this happens, a variety of issues emerge such as rough idle, trouble starting, reduced gas mileage – and the check engine light will be illuminated.
It can be hard to tell exactly what your Honda is trying to communicate when the check engine light is on, because there are literally hundreds of conditions that cause the light to be turned on. We highly recommend taking your Honda to a professional mechanic who can diagnose the root cause of the problem.
At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we offer complete check engine light diagnostics and repairs. Our technicians are nationally ASE certified, and we equip them with state-of-the-art digital diagnostic tools. So if your Honda’s computer turned on the check engine light, give us a call.
When it comes to wheel safety, lug nuts don’t always get the attention they deserve. These critical fasteners are what keep your wheels securely attached to your car, and they need to be tightened to a very specific level of force—known as torque. Get it wrong, and you're risking more than just a loose wheel.
Toole’s Garage is proud to announce opening of our Jackson, CA location - a family owned and operated full service auto repair shop that serves Jackson-Martell-Sutter Creek area.
It’s difficult to drive anywhere in the Bay Area and not see a lot of Subaru vehicles. Whether it’s the Subaru Crosstrek, WRX, Outback, Forester, or Ascend, Subaru vehicles are everywhere. At Toole’s Garage we are big Subaru fans.
Subaru vehicles are built for the great outdoors, and of course California provides plenty of opportunity for on-road and off-road adventures. All wheel drive (AWD) comes standard on many Subaru models, and can provide consistent traction whether you are on a muddy road, or skiing in the Sierras.
If a roof rack did not come standard with your model, it’s easy to add. And of course, interior space is pretty generous, especially if you drive an Outback or Ascent – you can stow plenty of camping and hiking gear.
At Toole’s Garage we can provide your Subaru with the maintenance it needs to provide you with a reliable ride – wherever your adventures take you. We highly recommend regular oil change – it not only improves performance and extends engine life, but it also allows us to inspect various sub-systems of your Subaru to catch any impending problems (for example, older Subaru models were prone to oil leaks). And if a long summer trip is in the cards, we definitely suggest bringing it in for a checkup.
Being a full service auto repair shop, Toole’s Garage can provide your Subaru with routine maintenance services, diagnostics, as well as major repairs. If your Subaru needs new brake pads, has the check engine light “on”, suffers from transmission problems, or needs major engine repairs – we can make your vehicle healthy again.
Whether you have owned your Subaru for a long time, or have recently acquired one, bring it to our San Carlos auto repair shop – we will keep your vehicle in peak condition. Call us to make an appointment, or you can make an appointment online, on our website.