With a new license comes new responsibility! Make sure your teen knows what to do when the “check engine” light comes on.

If the “check engine” light comes on while your newly-licensed teen is on the road, will they know how to handle the situation safely?  Make sure to review these tips before handing over the keys:

The first thing you should do is pay attention to the sound and feel of your car.  Is there smoke coming out of the tailpipe?  Any odd mechanical rattling?  You should stop and call for help if you notice anything abnormal about the way your vehicle is running.  
 
If that’s not the case, think about where you were before the light came on.  Did you just buy gas?  If so, the “check engine” light might be on to alert you that the gas cap is loose.  Pull over, tighten the cap, and continue driving.  If that was the source of the problem, the light will turn off by itself.  

If you’re not fresh from fueling up and everything is still running normally (no smokey/electrical smells, mechanical noises, etc.) call our Service Department and make an appointment or schedule a visit at Porter Ford online.  We want to make sure you’re safe on the road—let us diagnose and repair the problem for you.