Judging your Automotive Repair Bill when the Check Engine Lamp |

Judging your Automotive Repair Bill when the Check Engine Lamp goes On

It?s a nervous habit has lots of drivers have ? as soon as they start their engines, they glance nervously to see if that Check Engine light is lit up. If it is, they?ll have no peace until they take their car to a mechanic to have the problem checked out. It could mean nothing more than a $1 washer or it could mean something major that could mean $500 worth of automotive repair. Of course, the voice of reason tells you that you should be glad for that light. It gives you a way of getting on top of the problem before it gets out of hand ? a stitch in time and all that. But it?s hard to not fear that light.

It used to be the people on average kept a car for about 8 years. Today, that figure is up to 11 years. As people start to drive their cars for longer and longer, what with raises at work being hard to come by, keeping completely on top of all ones automotive repair and maintenance needs becomes extremely important. What are some of the most common reasons why a Check Engine light should come on in a car? What kinds of automotive repair might be on the cards when that light begins to blink? Knowing about the most common reasons why this should happen should help set your mind at rest somewhat.

A bad catalytic converter can be one reason. Now that isn?t anything to set your mind at rest; a new converter can cost $1500. It is the job of the catalytic converter to clean up your exhaust so that you don?t pollute as much. Usually, adequate maintenance elsewhere on the car, such as with the spark plugs, ensures that your catalytic converter stays healthy. For instance, if you have spark plugs firing at the wrong times, your ride quality can suffer. Replacing all your spark plugs yourself all cost you about $60; getting a professional automotive repair shop to do it for you would set you back about $300. But in general, that converter is a part that is much at risk on any car. They get stolen all the time for the platinum and other precious metals that are in them.

But not all sources of a check engine light are such bad news. Sometimes, it could just be that the gas cap has fallen off. When that happens, gas evaporates into the atmosphere and wastes your money. You can replace one of these for a couple of dollars. Sensors often go wrong in any modern car. A broken oxygen sensor, for instance, could cost you $150. If you have a problem with your mass airflow sensor, that could cost you twice as much. This device is supposed to measure how freely air flows to the engine.

Hybrids happen to be the most expensive kind of car to fix. As popular as they seem to be, mechanics trained in their repair are still few and far between.

Source: http://www.postarticles.ca/judging-your-automotive-repair-bill-when-the-check-engine-lamp/

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