What do you do when the orange glow of the check engine light comes on? There used to be few reasons for the light to come on and manufactures would recommend getting to the auto repair shop as soon as you could before your car died. Now the light is used to tell you about a number of problems that could be wrong, many of which you can keep driving with for a long time. You won't know what the real problem is until you take the car to a shop and have them read the error codes. Here are some of the common reasons your check engine light can come on and some suggestions as to how to respond.

Failing Oxygen Sensor

This device monitors how much unburned oxygen is in the exhaust and is used to control the fuel mixture. The sensor can fail in cars that are burning a little oil or running hot because the octane level of the fuel is too high for the car. You can drive this way for a long time, but your gas mileage will deteriorate. In states that do emission checks before you can renew your registration, this will have to be repaired before the tests.

Loose Fuel Cap

Before you panic because the check engine light comes on, make sure you put the gas cap back on tightly the last time you fueled up. Sensors detect a loss of pressure in the fuel tank because of a loose or missing gas cap. Put the cap on tightly, or buy a new one if the old one is cracked, and keep on driving.

Failing Catalytic Converter

This device is part of the emissions system and prevents your car from polluting the environment. A failing converter often means there is some other problem with the car. Replacing the catalytic converter is one of the most expensive repairs you can do, and your vehicle won't pass state emissions tests without it working correctly. You can continue to drive with this problem, but you should get it checked out soon to have the other problems diagnosed.

Spark Plug and Wire Problems

A bad spark plug or a wire that is shorting out can set off the check engine light. Your engine is likely running rough and your gas mileage may be dropping. If you drive the car this way for long, you could damage the catalytic converter. If you suspect the spark plugs or wires, replace them all yourself for a few dollars and the check engine light will go out.

Cracked Vacuum Hose

These hoses collect the vapors from the gas in the fuel system and remove them. These hoses can crack and split, especially in older cars. Sensors detect a loss of fuel vapor and trigger the check engine light. If you have an above-average understanding of your car's engine, you can replace these hoses for a few dollars each. You can continue driving your car but it may begin to run rough.

Unfortunately, car makers don't let the owner know what is wrong when the check engine light comes on. The majority of times, it is a warning of a problem but, if the car is still running fine, you don't need to rush to the first auto repair shop you see. When you have time, find a reputable shop like Monroe Transmissions and have them check the error codes. They can then tell you exactly what is wrong and what problems you may experience if you continue driving your car.