If you have recently purchased your first vehicle, then you should know that there are some warning signs that there is something wrong with your car that needs to be addressed. The most obvious warning is when the check engine light comes on, and if you notice this, then you should speak with your mechanic about a check engine light service. Keep reading to learn about what this entails and what will happen afterward.

What Is A Check Engine Light Service?

A check engine light service is essentially a diagnostic test that tells your mechanic what might be wrong with your vehicle. The check engine light is associated with a code that indicates the car issue, and the code will appear on the diagnostic tool. The tool will relate the meaning of the code based on the type of vehicle that you own, and this will help your mechanic figure out how to repair the issue.

The codes that are revealed by the code reader or diagnostic tool will contain a series of numbers and letters. Letters will refer to certain areas of the vehicle like the chassis, body, or engine. Number codes, on the other hand, will tell the professional whether the issue is related to the fuel, air metering, emissions, ignition, speed, transmission, or another issue.

In addition to the code interpretation, the mechanic will also need to investigate whether the error is coming from the on-board diagnostics or the diagnostic trouble code system. This is typically related to the manufacturer of the vehicle.

What Will Happen After The Diagnostic Testing?

Once the code is read and interpreted, your mechanic can start looking for the reason why the check engine light came on and the code came up in the first place. This is not always as simple as it sounds because your vehicle's computer may simply be malfunctioning or one or several of the sensors that help your car to test for emissions and air/fuel ratio errors may need to be replaced. 

The most likely issue is often addressed first to see if the check engine light goes off. For example, oxygen sensors will often go bad, and replacing them can fix emission or oxygen-sensing errors. 

Keep in mind that small holes in hoses and even the failure of a gasket or two can cause a check engine light to turn on. Your mechanic may need to complete additional tests, like an EVAP smoke test, to find small leaks.

For more information on getting a check engine light service, contact an auto shop near you.