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Long referred to as the "heart of the vehicle," the engine plays an essential role in the operation of a car. When something isn't performing to standard, you may receive a notification through a dashboard warning light. This light will tell you something is wrong but won't tell you what is wrong specifically.

Check Engine Light Color & Level of Severity

Vehicle manufacturers use color to identify the severity of an engine issue. The specific warning light color may differ between vehicle makes and models, so it's important to consult your owner's manual to understand the warning light in relation to your vehicle. Common colors and methods used to indicate the severity of an engine issue are as follows:

• Solid Amber/Yellow Light: This is an issue determined to be non-emergency that should be addressed soon.
• Flashing Amber/Yellow Light: This indicates a more urgent issue that should be given prompt attention.
• Solid Red Light: This indicates a serious issue that requires immediate attention.

Because the engine is such a crucial system, it's worth your time to get a diagnostic sooner rather than later, regardless of the engine warning light's color. Without knowing the issue at play, you won't know the effect that a prolonged problem can have on your vehicle's other automotive parts and systems. An engine diagnostic at an auto repair shop, like Texas Star Tire & Auto Repair, can provide answers about the culprit and what repair you need to fix it.

Problem Solving Diagnostics are More than Code Pulls

Modern vehicles have computers that integrate with diagnostic tools to provide details about why the warning light appeared. The first step in a diagnostic is often to pull this code. However, knowing the code alone is just the beginning. A thorough engine diagnostic is more than pulling a code, because a check engine code can have more than one cause. While it points the engine repairer in the right direction, It's up to the mechanic or technician to find out which cause is the one that made the engine light turn on in your vehicle.

If something's wrong with your car engine in Waco, TX and you're not sure what to do about it, contact the team at Texas Star Tire & Auto Repair. We know engines, and we will perform a thorough engine diagnostic to locate the specific issue. In addition to our state-of-the-art tools, our team has the knowledge and hands-on experience to follow through on the codes we identify.