How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
Since any check engine code has its own level of severity, it is typically difficult to predict how numerous miles you can be secure in driving with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we advocate that you pull over and contact Stevinson Toyota West to help determine if your vehicle is secure to drive in or if we advocate a tow truck. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are different common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other usually common reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, broken emissions control part, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Toyota Certified Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and totally 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 Toyota issue was completely fixed.
Every 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its crucial systems. The fast sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending essential 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. Nonetheless, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what precisely is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Stevinson Toyota West provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Immensely Knowledgeable Service professional.
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Check Engine Light
A flashing light reveals that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of immediately may result in extensive and serious damage to the car. If the check engine light in your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention immediately and your Toyota should be brought in quickly. This blinking light normally indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can instantly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an pricey and extensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can specifically be the cause. A damaged, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is constantly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Stevinson Toyota West promptly by calling 7209029966. If the problem is totally ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very costly repair.
Is it safe to drive your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In with the check engine light on?
If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your Toyota Prius Plug-In immediately. This question is not very simple 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 typically indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. Call the experts at Stevinson Toyota West by dialing 7209029966 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your 2012 Toyota to our certified mechanics as soon as imaginable.
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, exceptionally to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminate, 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, likewise known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Prius Plug-In. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can accurately represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you advantageous knowledge about your vehicle and will likewise allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is absolutely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, apparent and helpful vehicle symptoms do not constantly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are likewise hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:
- Emissions controls issues
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Ignition system faults
- O2 Sensor
- Transmission issues
- Computer output circuit issues
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Old Battery
- Bad Spark Plugs
This is why it is essential for someone who does not have a lot of predominant automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out expeditiously by a adept certified Toyota mechanic. Call Stevinson Toyota West at 7209029966 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In 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 swiftly turn itself off. Also, if your catalytic converter is working perfectly, 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 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In 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 Stevinson Toyota West so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
Check Engine Light Service 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Toyota Prius Plug-In and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Toyota owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have precisely 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, peaceful 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 suggested that you get your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In checked expeditiously. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major, huge damage to costly engine parts.
When your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is generally 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 can expeditiously identify 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 Toyota auto repair mechanics at Stevinson Toyota West. There are also a number of comparatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you select 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 specifically correct issue and repair it.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Again, the check engine light could likewise be a warning of a significant problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and expensive repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow ordinarily means something less serious but a flashing check engine light reveals that your vehicle’s engine is in serious trouble and helpful service is required swiftly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In, we highly advise not to drive the car and schedule Toyota service today. Below is a list of the most regular reasons your check engine light can come on:
- Your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In has a vacuum leak. Each Toyota Prius Plug-In has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system still helps lower adverse 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 intense heat or extreme cold.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In’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 ordinarily caused by consistently neglected maintenance, which is why Stevinson Toyota West offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with each Toyota service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your vehicle may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other delicate problems from overheating.
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Toyota Prius Plug-In is what determines how much fuel is necessary 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 certain changes, like altitude. If your Toyota Prius Plug-In is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden quick change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a critical sign of a damaged mass airflow sensor.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In is each important. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road in front, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s vehicle batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't absolutely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Toyota you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even limit the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Prius Plug-In to Toyota and have our team of talented 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 parts first place might cost a little bit more but could support you save substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are necessary for your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your car. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run smooth. 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 endure a evident poor performance and decreased power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause blocked catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more expensive repairs.
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns more immediately and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what results if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A damaged sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause serious damage to your catalytic converter and your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the absolutely appropriate mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A damaged O2 sensor can still cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
- One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In serves various purposes. It prevents perilous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps control pressure within the fuel tank. What results if you have a damaged 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 and be more expensive. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on instantly after you put gas in your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In, first thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The good news, Stevinson Toyota West offers entirely complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not accurately tightened to a more serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the appropriate code reading and diagnosis.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important onboard diagnostics system, and displays in an assortment of 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 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 an assortment of things for your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In. Some of these essential duties include ignition timing, controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing security control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean an assortment of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as unpredictable as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In, contact Stevinson Toyota West. Contact Stevinson Toyota West today! Our Toyota service department can support you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.
