You’re driving along happily in your Mazda3, CX-5, or CX-30, glance down at the dashboard, and your heart skips a beat when you notice the check engine warning light is on. Although an illuminated check engine light should never be ignored, don’t panic. Below your Mazda dealer gives five reasons why your car’s check engine light is on and what to do about it.
1. A Loose or Damaged Gas Cap
The gas cap seals the gas tank system, maintains proper pressure, and prevents gasoline vapors from escaping. Gas may evaporate or fail to circulate properly when the cap is loose or damaged, triggering the check engine light. Check if the cap is on correctly and see if the check engine light is off. You can purchase a replacement at your dealer if the cap is damaged.
2. Worn or Faulty Spark Plugs
Spark plugs ignite the fuel-air mixture to create combustion and power the engine’s cylinders. When the spark plugs are worn or faulty and not firing correctly, your engine will misfire, increasing emissions and causing poor engine performance. The check engine light will go on, indicating a problem. By simply asking your Mazda technician to replace the spark plugs, you will immediately notice an increase in your vehicle’s performance.
3. A Malfunctioning Oxygen Sensor
Your car’s oxygen sensor regulates the engine’s air-fuel ratio. This sensor measures the amount of oxygen and works with the catalytic converter to ensure that your engine burns the correct amount of fuel and keeps vehicle emissions in check. When the sensor malfunctions, your car will burn more fuel, and your check engine light will go on. Your technician will have to replace the oxygen sensor to sort out the problem.
4. A Faulty Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter, or cat for short, reduces your car’s emissions. The cat converts hazardous carbon monoxide and other harmful gasses into carbon dioxide to protect the environment. A faulty cat will cause high fuel consumption, strange odors, increase emissions, and a decrease in your car’s overall performance. When the cat is defective or failing, your technician must perform a replacement.
5. A Dirty or Failing Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor measures the air to the engine to inject the correct amount of fuel. When the sensor is dirty or failing, it will malfunction and not measure the air in the engine correctly. When the air-fuel ratio is incorrect, it will cause stalling issues, poor gas mileage, and increased emissions, triggering the check engine light. To ensure your car performs optimally, you must ask your technician to replace the mass airflow sensor.
Many engine components work together; others soon follow suit when one part fails or breaks. When your car’s check engine light goes on, schedule an appointment at Flood Mazda immediately to prevent further damage to your Mazda engine.
Image via Pixabay
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