Emission and Dash Lights

Muffler | Emissions Test Hong Kong Auto Service Wilmette Illinois

Question: I need to take my car in for an emissions test, but the Service Engine light has been on for some time. I’ve been told my car won’t pass. Is that true? What happens if my car fails the test? Answer: Yes, you are correct: Your car cannot pass the emissions test when the…

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Dashboard Lights: What Do They Mean and Why Should I Care?

Oh, those annoying dash lights. One minute, your car is running fine, the tunes are good, and life is smiling at you and then some symbol pops up on the dash and you don’t know what it means. Is this something serious? Do you need to take the car in right away? Can this be…

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What you need to know about your “Low Tire Pressure” warning light

For those of us who dread long, cold and dreary Chicago winters, the mid-February thaw we had was a sunny and joyful reprieve. But sudden and extreme swings in the air temperature can also trigger a dashboard warning light that many of us might not recognize: A glowing orange or red “Low Tire Pressure” indicator.…

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You can crack the dashboard lights code

Q. I am worried my college-age students might not recognize the warning lights on the dashboard or not pay attention to them at all. Can you provide me with a quick guide to dashboard lights?   A. As your kids head off to college, it is important to “school” them on what all the dashboard…

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What it takes to diagnose that “Check Engine” light

Lights we like: strong high beams, assertive signals and gently illuminated speedometers and fuel gauges. The not-so-welcome list: amber, yellow or red lights announcing “Check Engine,” “Service Engine Soon,” “Check” or “SES”—often with a neon-like automobile-engine outline. Don’t sweat it. The infamous and somewhat vague Check Engine light actually is relatively benign vs. other warning…

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Low tire pressure? Warning signs you can’t ignore

On a recent service visit, a young couple shared the adventures they had on a recent weekend road trip. Their destination: a favorite apple orchard. Before they left, they filled up the gas tank, checked the oil, buckled in the kids and took off. However, a glowing orange light on their dash almost ruined their…

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Auto innovations promise safety and convenience

Baby-boomer mythology had a generation believing we’d already be at least 10 years into commuting to work in personal rocket packs, jettisoning from home to office to shopping center to wherever. So much for yesterday’s predictions. But excitement exists today on the automotive horizon for some great gadgets that are just around the corner or…

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If your battery light pops on, you could be left out in the cold

There are a number of dashboard warning lights that can pop on at any minute. Everyone knows what the oil light and low fuel light are for, but a lot of them require pulling out the owners’ manual. This month, we want to highlight the battery warning light. If this light is illuminated, there could…

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'Check engine' light can be triggered by escaping fuel vapors

Your car’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons. The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like a loose gas cap to a major repair like a catalytic converter. And here’s another example of…

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