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What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most consistently misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2016 Acura ILX is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few divergent ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a range of things for your 2016 Acura ILX. Some of these include ignition timing, controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can represent a variety of different things. It can be as plain as your gas cap being loose or as hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2016 Acura ILX, contact Crown Acura Richmond. Our Acura service department can assist you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Crown Acura Richmond today!

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is consistently between $88 and $111. The discernible news, Crown Acura Richmond offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help designate the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not perfectly tightened to a more treacherous failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it discernible to get the accessible code reading and diagnosis.

Check Engine Light Service 2016 Acura ILX

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Acura ILX and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Acura owners, your heart sinks a little because you have little idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is recommended that you get your 2016 Acura ILX checked as soon as adequate. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major wear and tear to expensive engine components.

When your 2016 Acura ILX's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the computerized control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is commonly labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”

When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that identifies as the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Acura auto repair mechanics at Crown Acura Richmond. There are also a number of relatively low-cost code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you determine that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced experienced to mean the issue and repair it.

Is it safe to drive your 2016 Acura ILX with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a perilous issue and it is recommended to service your Acura ILX suddenly. This question is not highly straightforward because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to drive. This is generally indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the vehicle, it could be an indication of a more precarious problem. Call the consultants at Crown Acura Richmond by dialing 8043618447 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and transport your 2016 Acura to our certified mechanics as soon as achievable.

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

It could be anything from a destructive sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. Since all check engine code has its own level of severity, it is difficult to predict how several miles you can drive with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we recommend that you pull over and contact Crown Acura Richmond to help embrace if your vehicle is protected to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck.

2016 Acura ILX Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that miniature light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear honest away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, also known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your ILX. There are hundreds of giant codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a miniature patience, tackling vital diagnostics will give you comfortable knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is actually supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, disparate and practical vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of viable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of viable reasons for the light, including:

  • Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
  • Fuel and air metering systems problems
  • Ignition system faults
  • Bad Spark Plugs
  • Old Battery
  • Emissions controls issues
  • O2 Sensor
  • Transmission issues
  • Computer output circuit issues

This is why it is unusual for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. If the engine light comes on due to a compelling concern, you risk harmful your car added by not repairing the issue decent away. Call Crown Acura Richmond at 8043618447 straightaway or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out shortly by a certified Acura mechanic.

2016 Acura ILX Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2016 Acura ILX starts flashing, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your Acura should be brought in urgently. A flashing light indicates that the problem is critical and if not taken care of urgently may result in intense damage to the vehicle. This blinking light commonly illustrates a draconian engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can immediately raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is potential, requiring an expensive repair. A Miniature owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can strictly be the cause. A bad, departed or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is glaring, please contact our unit of automotive experts at Crown Acura Richmond immediately by calling 8043618447. If the problem is ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a incredibly fancy repair.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2016 Acura ILX?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as classic as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a unhealthy problem that could cause unhealthy damage to your engine and come with a considerable repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A consistent glow generally means something less unhealthy but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in unhealthy trouble and service is needed urgently. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2016 Acura ILX, we tremendously suggest not to drive the automobile and schedule Acura service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • Your 2016 Acura ILX has a vacuum leak. Every Acura ILX has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps cut harmful emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, highly if they’re exposed to imposing heat or extreme agile.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2016 Acura ILX is every meaningful. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't truly require maintenance. The estimate of a new one depends on the type of Acura you travel to work, but check our meaningful service coupons and specials.
  • One of the most simple and several cause is that your 2016 Acura ILX gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2016 Acura ILX serves multiple purposes. It prevents gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a bad fuel cap? If your gas cap is old or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on urgently after you put gas in your 2016 Acura ILX, first thing you should check is to make satisfied the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2016 Acura ILX’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's work is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is usually caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Crown Acura Richmond offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Acura service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2016 Acura ILX will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause additional problems from overheating.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replenished. The Oxygen sensor, acknowledged as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less factual when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause break to your catalytic converter and your 2016 Acura ILX's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to find out the good mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are fundamental for your 2016 Acura ILX. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or old, you will experience scanty performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or break to ignition coils and O2 sensors, big to more expensive repairs.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replenished. The mass airflow sensor in your Acura ILX is what determines how much fuel is fundamental to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to actual changes, like altitude. If your Acura ILX is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a rapid change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
  • Issues with all aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or additional item can wreak havoc on your 2016 Acura ILX if it’s not installed perfectly. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound known, bring your ILX to Acura and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing all issue. Getting accessories, highly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM components first place might rate a little bit more but could save you money from having to get scanty work and break caused by scanty installation work corrected.

2016 Acura ILX Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are copious potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are innumerable current causes including something as discernible as a loose gas cap. Distinctive current reasons for a Check Engine Light are dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty head gasket, faulty emissions control part, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged oxygen sensor, or defective spark plugs to name a bit. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Acura Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as needed to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Acura issue was fixed.

Every 2016 Acura ILX was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its troublesome systems. The sensors are ordinarily detecting conditions while sending data to the electrical control unit. If the electrical control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what specifically is sorry nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Crown Acura Richmond provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Remarkably Qualified Service experienced.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2016 Acura ILX will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is going functional, and you did assorted of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your 2016 Acura ILX light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Crown Acura Richmond so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.