Back to all

Watching Your Check Engine Light

June 1, 2021

Did you know that most of the cars driving around Fort Myers, Florida, carry more computer power than the Apollo 121 Lunar Module that landed on the moon in 1969?

New cars sold in the Fort Myers area have as many as 12 networked computers and over five miles (eight kilometers) of wiring. In fact, for the last decade or so, auto computers have been controlling about 85 percent of your vehicle's functions.

Cars have sensors for manifold air temperature, coolant temperature, manifold air pressure, airflow, throttle position, vehicle speed and oxygen content. All of this electronic wizardry is pretty complicated. So how do Fort Myers drivers know when there is a problem?

It's simple; the Check Engine light comes on. The computer monitors all the sensors and uses that information to decide what to adjust such as the fuel mix, spark timing and idle speed. In addition, the computer monitors its own circuits. When it finds a fault, it turns on the Check Engine light and stores a trouble code in the computer.

It can be pretty disturbing for Fort Myers drivers when the Check Engine light comes on. We wonder just how urgent it is. Generally speaking, it is not critical like a temperature or oil pressure light. When you get one of those it means STOP NOW! When the Check Engine light shows up, you should come in to Tuffy Fort Myers (Colonial Blvd) in Fort Myers to find out what the matter is as soon as possible.

Since 1996, there has been a strong emissions control component to the Check Engine diagnostic. But if your Check Engine light flashes on and off, you know that it is more urgent and you need to get it checked immediately to prevent damage. You should slow down and avoid towing or heavy loads until you can get it checked out.

Your friendly and knowledgeable technicians at Tuffy Fort Myers (Colonial Blvd) have special diagnostic equipment that will retrieve the trouble code from the computer and help him determine what is wrong. From there, we can fix it and get you back on the road.

Stop by if you're Check Engine light is on.

Tuffy Fort Myers (Colonial Blvd)
3263 Colonial Blvd
Fort Myers, Florida 33966
239-277-7655
https://www.tuffycolonialblvd.com

More articles from Tuffy Fort Myers (Colonial Blvd.)

When Are Your Tires Worn Out?

May 12, 2024

Hey Fort Myers area drivers, are your tires worn out? What is the standard for our Florida streets? How can you tell on your vehicle?While there may be legal requirements for the Fort Myers area, there are safety concerns that go beyond meeting minimum replacement mandates.Two-thirty-seconds of... More

An Oil for All Seasons (Engine Oil Selection)

May 5, 2024

You swap your winter boots for flip-flops in the summer. Why not change your winter engine oil for summer, hot-weather oil? While it may seem like it makes sense, there's some good news. Most drivers don't have to, and here's why. Engine oil can be made in different thicknesses. That thicknes... More

Ask Tuffy Fort Myers (Colonial Blvd): What Happens When a Serpentine Belt Breaks?

April 28, 2024

The serpentine belt is aptly named since it snakes around under your hood. It may lack its namesake's fangs, but it sure packs a wallop when it breaks.The serpentine belt powers a lot of engine systems. It runs the alternator, which charges the battery; the water pump (on some vehicles), which co... More