Let’s be honest, dashboard warning lights can be kind of scary. Well, maybe scary isn’t the right word to use; more like intimidating. They are vague messages from your car telling you that something is wrong, but you just don’t know yet.
Some of them can be downright heart-pounding. There are more obscure warning lights, but most drivers can identify a check engine light or engine temperature light. Unfortunately, most of you reading this are not mechanics, so what can you do?
Surprisingly, there are a few simple do-it-yourself (DIY) fixes to maintain your car’s warning lights that don’t require a professional hand. Check out a few for yourself, just in case you’re sideswiped by another dash light.
Check Engine Warning Light – Did You Close Your Gas Tank Properly?
When the check engine light comes on, several issues could force that unpleasant symbol to illuminate your dashboard. However, did you know that one of those reasons could be a faulty gas cap?
The gas vapours can start to escape with a faulty gas cap or simply not putting it back on properly. This will dramatically decrease your fuel efficiency while also raising emissions.
If that doesn’t work, your next step could be to simply open the hood to check for anything out of the ordinary. Check if the oil’s both clean and at an acceptable level. Is the engine running a little hotter than usual? Regardless of the issue, it’s probably best to consult a professional if it’s not the gas cap.
Engine Temperature Warning Light – Turn The Heat Up?
If your engine is starting to overheat, you need to pull over immediately to assess the situation. Continuing to drive with an overheated engine can cause further damage, and the damage there is, the more money comes out of your wallet.
But you can use some simple tricks to cool down the engine long enough to get to a mechanic. For one, believe it or not, turn off the air conditioning and crank up the heat. This will redirect some of the heat from your engine to the rest of the car.
Granted, you might get a little sweaty yourself, but it’s worth it. Next, you can check the coolant levels in your engine. If you find that it’s dangerously low, you can refill it yourself if you happen to have any in your car. It might be worth keeping something like that in your truck, just in case of emergencies.
However, make no mistake; if you’re too far from a garage, you’ll have to bite the bullet and get it towed. Driving too long with an overheated engine will only cause more issues when you finally get that bill.
Charging System Malfunction Warning Light – Could Maybe Use A Scrub
When this light pops up on your dash, there’s a good chance it’s because your car’s battery has run its course. It’s very possible as the average lifespan of an automobile is about three years, give or take the state of your vehicle and the weather.
However, corrosion could be another reason this light is coming on, and that’s something you can address yourself. Remove any covers around the battery, and if you notice any white or green residue forming, that’s a sure-fire sign of corrosion.
First, do not touch this substance with your bare hands as it could fiercely irritate your skin. Next, you’ll want to remove any more covers or cables connecting the battery, to avoid any other unpleasantness. And lastly, by simply using cleaning products around your house and an old toothbrush, you can scrub away that nasty corrosion.
There’s More On The Autoly App!
If you liked these simple DIYs, there’s more to be found on the upcoming Autoly app! Autoly is equipped with various tools that will help you understand how your car works from fender to bumper. One of these tools is the dashboard scanner.
Using your phone, simply scan your dashboard. Within seconds, the app will read out what the issue is, the severity and a simple DIY guide that can help alleviate costs at the mechanic. Coming soon to the App Store, Play Store and AppGallery.
