You’re driving your Mercedes-Benz car to work, only to discover that your yellow check engine light on the dashboard is illuminated. If you’re like many drivers, you won’t know exactly what the light means or what to do about it. Here at our Mercedes-Benz repair center at Mercedes-Benz of Orange Park, our team of friendly mechanics is happy to explain what this light means and how we can fix it.
What the Light Means
The check engine light is a component in your car’s larger onboard diagnostics system. Ever since the 1980s, computers have played a larger role in vehicle performance, regulating variables like engine speed, fuel mixture, and ignition timing. When the system finds an issue in the electronic system that can’t be fixed, it will turn on the check engine light. In addition to turning on the light, the system will also store a diagnostic code that can be read with an electronic scan tool in our Mercedes-Benz repair center.
What to Do About the Check Engine Light
If your car’s check engine light illuminates, it will either be flashing or remain constantly illuminated. A flashing light indicates a serious problem that should be attended to immediately. In recent model Mercedes-Benz cars, a flashing light shows an issue with an engine misfire so severe that unburned fuel is being dumped into the exhaust system.
If the light is steady and not flashing, it’s not an emergency, but you should still schedule service as soon as possible. It could indicate an issue with a variety of vehicle components and systems, from the exhaust system to the engine to the catalytic converter.
To discover more about what the check engine light could mean, schedule a service appointment at Mercedes-Benz of Orange Park today!
