How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is draconian to predict how many miles you can travel to work with the warning light on. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. If you check engine light is glaring, we recommend that you pull over and contact Nalley BMW of Decatur to help learn if your vehicle is strong to travel to work in or if we recommend a tow truck.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly tightened to a more hazardous failure like a combative catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it great to get the convenient code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The great news, Nalley BMW of Decatur offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help advantage the cause of your check engine light.
Is it safe to drive your 2014 BMW X3 with the check engine light on?
If the check engine light is glaring, this means that there is a strict issue and it is recommended to service your BMW X3 expeditiously. This question is not very pure 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 travel to work. This is customarily 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 rigorous problem. Call the experts at Nalley BMW of Decatur by dialing 7706285694 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2014 BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as effective.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most consistently misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2014 BMW X3 is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in copious different ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light lights up 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 variety of things for your 2014 BMW X3. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a fluctuate of divergent things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as harsh as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2014 BMW X3, contact Nalley BMW of Decatur. Contact Nalley BMW of Decatur today! Our BMW service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or analyze why your check engine light is flashing.
2014 BMW X3 Check Engine Light
A blinking light indicates that the problem is dangerous and if not taken care of instantly may result in considerable damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2014 BMW X3 starts blinking, that means that the problem needs abrupt attention and your BMW should be brought in instantly. This glaring light frequently indicates a harsh engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be ejected into the exhaust system. There it can expeditiously raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is accessible, requiring an lavish repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can exactly be the cause. A bad, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive advisors at Nalley BMW of Decatur hastily by calling 7706285694. 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 tremendously expensive repair.
2014 BMW X3 Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that microscopic light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right 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 X3. There are hundreds of divergent codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a microscopic patience, tackling essential diagnostics will give you convenient knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, indisputable and relevant vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of attainable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of attainable reasons for the light, including:
- Transmission issues
- Emissions controls issues
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Bad Spark Plugs
- O2 Sensor
- Computer output circuit issues
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Old Battery
- Ignition system faults
This is why it is climactic for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Nalley BMW of Decatur at 7706285694 at this moment or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out hastily by a certified BMW mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a dangerous concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue honorable away.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2014 BMW X3 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 helpful, and you did a lot 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 2014 BMW X3 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 Nalley BMW of Decatur so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2014 BMW X3?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as conspicuous as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a unsafe problem that could cause unsafe damage to your engine and come with a big repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A persistent glow normally means something less unsafe but a blinking check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in unsafe trouble and service is basic abruptly. If your check engine light is blinking in your 2014 BMW X3, we exceedingly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service straightaway. Below is a list of the most normal reasons your check engine light can come on:
- One of the most logical and several cause is that your 2014 BMW X3 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2014 BMW X3 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 departed 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 lavish. If your check engine light turns on quickly after you put gas in your 2014 BMW X3, first thing you should check is to make convinced 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 2014 BMW X3’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function 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 Nalley BMW of Decatur offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every BMW service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2014 BMW X3 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 supplemental problems from overheating.
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW X3 is what determines how much fuel is basic 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 definite changes, like altitude. If your BMW X3 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a hasty change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, noted 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 direct 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 damage to your catalytic converter and your 2014 BMW X3's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to mean 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.
- Your 2014 BMW X3 has a vacuum leak. Every BMW X3 has a vacuum system that performs a wide range of functions. The vacuum system also helps lessen bad 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, especially if they’re exposed to potent heat or extreme furious.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are basic for your 2014 BMW X3. 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 departed, you will experience poor 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 damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, dominant to more lavish repairs.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or supplemental item can wreak havoc on your 2014 BMW X3 if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prohibit the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound commonplace, bring your X3 to BMW and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed properly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM components first place might value a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2014 BMW X3 is every precarious. 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 absolutely require maintenance. The rate of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
Check Engine Light Service 2014 BMW X3
What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW X3 and abruptly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW 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 estimate of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t represent 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 2014 BMW X3 checked as soon as likely. Ignoring that warning could end up causing big damage to pricey engine components.
When your 2014 BMW X3's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electrical control system that it can’t apt, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is continually 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 analyze tool that is used by our BMW auto repair mechanics at Nalley BMW of Decatur. There are also a number of somewhat inexpensive 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 professional to determine the issue and repair it.
2014 BMW X3 Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless ability causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are a few authentic causes incorporating something as authentic as a loose gas cap. Substitute authentic reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty emissions control part, damaged oxygen sensor, or defective spark plugs to name several. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the BMW Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as imperative to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your BMW issue was revamped.
Every 2014 BMW X3 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its critical systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic 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 strictly is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Nalley BMW of Decatur provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Notably Qualified Service high-tech.