OLDBOY ARTICLES
Motoring
Motoring
OLDBOY ARTICLES
Motoring
Motoring
Better to be Safe Than Sorry
When the check engine light on my Toyota came on right before a trip to the San Diego coast, I was understandably miffed. We were taking a 600 mile trip, and the last thing I needed was to be left stranded on the way there and ruin our holiday. Like most people, I knew very little about engines, or check engine codes, and figured that it was a subject best left to the experts. Although mechanics and dealerships charge more than they should to clear the codes, I still trusted my auto shop to know what to do and to check whether or not my car would get me to where I wanted to go.
When the check engine light on my Toyota came on right before a trip to the San Diego coast, I was understandably miffed. We were taking a 600 mile trip, and the last thing I needed was to be left stranded on the way there and ruin our holiday. Like most people, I knew very little about engines, or check engine codes, and figured that it was a subject best left to the experts. Although mechanics and dealerships charge more than they should to clear the codes, I still trusted my auto shop to know what to do and to check whether or not my car would get me to where I wanted to go.
One of my friends, however, said that wasn’t a problem. He had had check engine lights come many times on previous cars he had owned, and he told me that most of the time, it wasn't that bigger deal. Maybe my emissions were a little bit high, my fuel economy had worsened, or there was some other minor problem with my car. He even had a check engine diagnostic tool at his house, and he offered to clear the light for us. I would have taken him up on the offer ,but we didn't have time to stop by his house before the trip. Big mistake! If I had seen what the check engine light was trying to tell me, I never would have of on my trip without getting my car serviced.
The Toyota was fine for a while. I didn't even notice the check engine light after the first few miles, as a matter of fact. We were driving from North West California, and we had a long and mountainous drive ahead of us, but soon my mind was completely at ease. But not for very long! After a few more miles, the sputtering started. The check transmission light came on, and it was then I realised we were in big trouble. It came on at the worst time too. We were climbing some pretty steep road, and it was a very bad place to be stranded. Nonetheless, stranded we were. About 75 miles after that check engine light came on, I was stuck by the side of the road.
I guess the moral of the story is to follow Murphy’s Law. If something is likely to happen, it usually will! Your check engine light tells you that there could be something seriously wrong with your car, and you had better listen. I sure will be in the future.
Find 100’s more car articles here.
The Toyota was fine for a while. I didn't even notice the check engine light after the first few miles, as a matter of fact. We were driving from North West California, and we had a long and mountainous drive ahead of us, but soon my mind was completely at ease. But not for very long! After a few more miles, the sputtering started. The check transmission light came on, and it was then I realised we were in big trouble. It came on at the worst time too. We were climbing some pretty steep road, and it was a very bad place to be stranded. Nonetheless, stranded we were. About 75 miles after that check engine light came on, I was stuck by the side of the road.
I guess the moral of the story is to follow Murphy’s Law. If something is likely to happen, it usually will! Your check engine light tells you that there could be something seriously wrong with your car, and you had better listen. I sure will be in the future.
Find 100’s more car articles here.
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