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Check Engine Light; Staying Calm

Tips for buying a used car in Alexandria - Airport Car Dealership Virginia

Used car in Alexandria – Check Engine Light; Staying Calm

Owning a used car can often feel like treating a sick child when the check engine light comes on. Either the used car gives you an overwhelming amount of symptoms or just the light saying “I don’t feel good.” The check engine light can often illicit panic and a fear of costs; however, we at Airport Auto Sales Buy Here Pay Here want to assure you that it is often a fairly simple fix. Here are some tips on how to handle a check engine light in Alexandria, Va with cost effectiveness in mind.

The check engine light comes on and a wave of anxiety crashes into you. The first thing to do is remain calm and prioritize the concerns with the car. Frequently a loose gas cap is the reason for an engine light. The gas cap keeps fumes from escaping the fuel tank and helps keep it pressurized. Often when it is loose or missing after a fill up the vehicle will sense that the pressure is off. Check the gas cap and tighten it. If the cap is missing, one can be purchased from any auto parts store between $15-$60 depending on the vehicle.

If the light is still on, the next step is to look for further symptoms from your vehicle. Like a diagnosing doctor, go down a checklist of common symptoms and see what gets checked off. This will give the owner an idea of the severity and cost of the issue. Some of the fixes can be done easily with some instruction. If the vehicle won’t start it is always a good idea to try and jump the battery first. If the vehicle does start and is exhibiting symptoms of a rough idle, misfiring or hesitating over heavy acceleration, and/or lower gas mileage it might need an ignition coil or spark plug replaced. Something that might look similar but will only exhibit a rough idle and lower gas mileage is if the mass airflow sensor needs replacing. Another symptom to watch out for is discolored or dark smoke coming from your exhaust. This could indicate that the catalytic converter needs replacement. If the vehicle exhibits no symptoms or you are having trouble discerning them, there are a few options in Alexandria, Va that we at Airport Auto Sales Buy Here Pay Here suggest.

What we suggest for our Buy Here Pay here vehicles with a check engine light and a cost concerned customer is to go to a auto parts store and see if they can read the code for you. In Alexandria, Va these are usually AutoZones. If it is a minor fix like a spark plug they might be able to walk you through replacement so you don’t need an expensive mechanic bill. If you are not able to do the work yourself and the vehicle is exhibiting symptoms it is a good idea to get a mechanic to look at the vehicle; however, most engine lights do not indicate an immediate threat. Otherwise, stay calm the next time you see the check engine light in your used car. It often looks more alarming than the need really is.

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