When your check engine light is solid this may mean one or more of the following troubles are affecting your car’s system:

If the check engine light is flashing, there may be a more serious issue afoot. The team at Auto One have the tools to decipher your On Board Diagnostics (OBD II) system and make a quick and speedy repair.

Can I still drive my car when the check engine light is flashing? 

The check engine light means your vehicle’s OBD II has detected an issue with the ignition, emission or fuel system. If there’s an issue in your emission system your engine will still drive power to the wheels, but there’s a chance the exhaust is being not properly managed. This could leave you with a cabin full of fumes. It’s strongly advised that you have your car serviced as soon as possible.

Is it illegal to drive with my check engine light on?

Running your engine below maximum efficiency isn’t a crime, but it is a crime if you drive without an emissions test. Additionally, if your light is on when you apply you’ll fail by default. Driving with the check engine light engaged may also do significant damage to your catalytic converter. A replacement part can cost an upwards of $500-$1000.

Made up of 5 main components, the cooling system can be one of the more temperamental systems in your car. This system manages temperatures of over 1000 degrees Celsius. and when your car runs hot, you run the risk of damaging the components of the engine itself. More often than not those repairs can be quite costly, so a little preventative maintenance on your engine cooling system is money well spent.

Telltale signs that your engine’s cooling system may not be functioning properly are as follows:

I smell a sweet/offensive odor coming from my engine. Is this normal?

If you have recently refilled your anti-freeze, then there may be residue on the engine and when the engine’s running hot the smell can become more apparent. Aside from spilled anti-freeze there are a few internal issues that produce an offensive or sweet odor. Leaky or cracked thermostats in conjunction with damaged water outlets tend to be the culprit of strong or offensive odors coming from your car’s engine. If the water outlet stops working, coolant will leak out and affect the surrounding area.

Why is smoke/steam coming from under the hood?

If you notice steam coming from under your hood, there’s a chance your engine experiencing a coolant leak. The radiator hose connects your thermostat outlet housing to the water pump inlet housing and when compromised can cause coolant leaks. When coolant comes in come in contact with the high temperatures of the engine, steam forms. Be sure to check this hose every 9000 miles or once a year.

I’ve noticed a coloured spot in my driveway. What is it?

If it’s yellow, green, or pink, it’s engine coolant. It’ll be slimy to the touch, and a thin consistency. You’ve got a leak somewhere, and you need to get it fixed before your cooling system runs dry and your engine overheats, or before it becomes a bigger problem. Not to mention that your friends won’t be too happy about you staining their $25,000 interlocking brick driveway when you visit them. Don’t relegate yourself to the road…come into Auto One and we’ll find out where the leak is and get it fixed.

My coolant light is on. What should I do?

That lit up thermometer on your dashboard is there to tell you when you’ve got a problem with your engine cooling system. If it’s on, your engine is running too hot. Check your cooling system hoses for leaks, and if they’re small enough, make sure you’ve got enough coolant in the system to get you into our shop. We’ll take it from there.