There are many reasons why the check engine light in your vehicle could come on, some more serious than others, but no matter what the reason is, an experienced Audi specialist will be able to help you diagnose and fix the problems that are causing the light to turn on. Today, we’ll be talking about some of the most common reasons why the check engine light comes on in a car and where you can go to get the issue resolved.
Why Your Audi’s Check Engine Light Is Turning On
When your Audi’s check engine light comes on, a mechanic will be able to use specialized technology to read the codes behind the light and figure out what’s wrong. There are some frequently experienced reasons why it might happen that you should know about:
- A loose or missing gas cap. This is one of the most common reasons for a check engine light, and luckily, it’s also usually a pretty simple solution. A lot of people might forget to replace the gas cap when filling up their cars, which in many cases, can cause the check engine light to come on. You may not realize it, but a loose or missing gas cap can lower fuel efficiency significantly since it allows fuel fumes to escape. Just make sure you always replace the gas cap.
- Catalytic converter problems. Your Audi’s catalytic converter is the component that turns the harmful gases that your car produces into benign ones. It’s there to cut down on your vehicle’s environmental impact a little bit, and without it, your car cannot pass emissions tests. If this is the issue, you’ll need to take your car in to get it fixed.
- Oxygen sensor issues. Your Audi’s engine needs to maintain a careful balance of fuel and oxygen inside it to function at its best. The oxygen sensor, as its name suggests, detects the amount of oxygen inside the engine and lets the engine know if it needs more or less fuel to keep the ratios balanced. If the sensors don’t work, your car’s fuel efficiency will go down, and if left unfixed for too long, you can run into even more serious issues later on.
- Bad spark plugs. The spark plugs are what allows your car to start. They provide the spark that ignites the engine and starts the combustion Symptoms of malfunctioning spark plugs include difficulty in starting the car, engine misfiring, and rough idling, so if your check engine light comes on and you’re also experiencing one of those symptoms, there’s a chance it’s the spark plugs.
- Mass Airflow Sensor Malfunction. The Mass Airflow Sensor, or the MAF Sensor, is there to determine how much air is entering the engine. This helps with the regulation of airflow and the balancing of air and fuel in the engine. Naturally, if the MAF sensor stops working, your Audi will begin to have lower fuel efficiency. It could eventually lead to more serious engine problems as well.
- Faulty ignition coil. The ignition coil is another essential part of your Audi’s engine that helps start the car. If it’s broken or not working for some reason, you might experience some similar symptoms to the ones you see from bad spark plugs.
How to Fix Your Check Engine Light
As we’ve discussed, there are many reasons why 
your check engine light might come on. The reasons I listed earlier are only some of them. The best way to figure out exactly what is causing the light to come on is to take your vehicle to a professional mechanic, especially one who is experienced with and knowledgeable about Audi vehicles.
Whether your Audi has engine problems, some other issue, or it just needs routine maintenance, the best place to go is Carotech Automotive and Tires in Los Angeles, California. Our highly skilled mechanics have a well-rounded understanding of many different automobile brands, including domestic, Asian, and European brands like Audi. If you’d like to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call. We’d love to get to know you!
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